Pelargonium

Pelargonium odoratissimum

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Pelargonium — Pelargonium

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's tradition, pelargonium was associated with the airways and digestion.

Ingredients

Powdered plant material and the essential oil obtained from it are used. Essential oil and bioflavonoids are named as constituents.

Botanical background

Pelargoniums are scented plants: depending on the species, their essential oil is reminiscent of frankincense, nutmeg or lemon balm, the oil of Pelargonium odoratissimum being described as particularly intense. Specialist literature credits the oil with antimicrobial properties, and bioflavonoids are named alongside it as radical scavengers. Among the material examined is a root extract of the South African Cape pelargonium, which was the subject of a randomised double-blind study. In Hildegard literature the plant appears chiefly as one component of a mixed powder that also contains pellitory and nutmeg, with pellitory credited as the leading ingredient.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014.
Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Heilschätze. Schafgarbe, Veilchen, Galgant, Bertram. Knaur Verlag 2018.

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More preparations using Pelargonium

Pelargonium Powder Blend Pelargonium Scent Spray

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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