Pelargonium graveolens
ROSE GERANIUM
Botany
Small branching hairy shrub. Leaves are long-petioled, palmately compound, 5- to 7-lobed or parted, fragrantly scented. Flowers are pink or light purple on long peduncles.
Parts used
Leaves
Propagation
Stem cuttings.
Constituents and properties
Essential oil contains myrcene, or beta-myrcene, an olefinic monterpene which is used in traditional and commercial repellent preparations.
Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of leaves used for cough and stomach aches.
Aromatherapy
Leaf essential oil used in aromatherapy and massage for stress and skin problems. Essential oil considered to have antidepressant properties but has not been proven by clinical studies.
Others
Mosquito repellant.
Deodorant.
Studies
- Essential Oils / Antioxidant: Study of the essential oil and monomer of P graveolens showed antioxidant effect.
- Antibacterial Effect / Antibiotic Synergism : Study was done to verify the possible synergistic effect between P graveolens essential oil and the antibiotic Norfloxacin. The results showed the occurrence of pronounced synergism between P graveolens essential oil and Norfloxacin against three bacterial species.
Availability
Cultivated for aromatic medicinal and ornamental uses.
