Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér.

Geranium (Pelargonium zonale) is a flowering shrub up to 1 meter tall of the Geraniaceae family, native to South Africa, growing naturally on rocky hills and slopes. Its leaves can locally be eaten as a vegetable, besides being popular as a potted ornamental. Geranium is also believed to help relieve muscle pain, anxiety, and speed wound healing.

This plant thrives with full sunlight of at least 6 hours and dry soil. Requires a cool temperature of 20-26°C and grows in highlands.

• Stem succulent and hairy, becoming woody with age.
• Leaves often have a narrow, dark, zigzag pigmentation zone. The leaves are reniform and petiolate with an average diameter of 5-6 cm.
• Flowers borne in umbels, individual flowers strongly zygomorphic, with narrow, bright pink petals with reddish lines along the petal.

• Propagated by seed and stem cuttings.
• Stem cuttings: cut a healthy, non-flowering stem 10 cm long, remove large leaves and dip in rooting hormone. Roots emerge after 8-10 days.

Gallic acid, alpha pinene, myrcene, limonene, menthone, linalool, geranyl butyrate, citronellyl formate, ß-citronellol, ß-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide.

Helps prevent wrinkles, relieves muscle pain and stiffness, eases anxiety and symptoms of depression, addresses candida, bacterial and viral infections, supports brain function, aids wound healing, acts as an anticancer agent.

• Separate the leaves from the stems. Wash with water until clean then drain.
• Dry in the sun covered with a thin black cloth for 7 days. Grind into powder.
• Pack the dried material in a clean, airtight container.

No information found. Further research needed.