Robert ‘s geranium (Geranium robertianum); Robert’s geranium
An annual herbaceous plant of the geranium family. The stem is erect, branched, together with the petioles of the leaves, truncate-glandular-hairy, mostly reddish at the base. The leaves are 5-angled, five- or three-lobed with narrow pinnate lobes. The flowers are regular, bisexual, 5-petalled, in two-flowered axillary umbels. Petals are pink-red, often with whitish stripes. The fruit is dry, splits into 5 one-seeded lobes. Blooms in June – September.
Spread. It grows throughout the territory of Ukraine in mixed forests, among bushes.
Raw. They use grass collected during the flowering of the plant.
The plant is unofficial.
Chemical composition. The aerial part of the plant contains ascorbic acid, carotene, bitter and mucilaginous substances; roots — gallic acid, geraniin (3%). Tannins and resinous substances are found in all parts of the plant.
Pharmacological properties and use . The presence of tannins in the plant determines its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes the use of Geranium Robertova effective for inflammatory bowel diseases. Infusion of the herb in the form of gargles has a positive effect on inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. A decoction of rhizomes with roots was used in traditional medicine as an antitumor agent and in dermatology.
Medicinal forms and applications.
Internally – infusion of the herb (1 teaspoon of the herb per 200 ml of cold water, bring to a boil, infuse in a closed vessel for 2 hours) 1 tablespoon every 2 hours.
Externally – herbal infusion is used for rinsing;
infusion of rhizomes (2 teaspoons per 2 glasses of cold water, infuse for 8 hours) — for compresses for allergic dermatitis;
a decoction of rhizomes (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes, strain) is used warm for lotions for fissures of the anus (Fissura ani).