Pelargoniums: An Herb Society of America Guide
Medicinal & Ethnobotanical Uses & Aromatherapy
Pelargoniums have a long history of medicinal use in their native Africa. The primary uses have been for intestinal problems, wounds and respiratory ailments, but Pelargonium species have also been used to treat fevers, kidney complaints and other conditions. The following are reported medicinal/ethnobotanical uses:
A paste of the leaf of P. alchemilloides has been used to treat boils and wounds by the Xhosa of the Eastern Cape of S. Africa (68, 84). An infusion of the root has been administered by the Zulu of S. Africa as an enema to treat diarrhea (84). The leaf juice of this plant has been used in East Africa as an eyewash for sore eyes (84), and natives of Lesotho have bathed in a decoction of the root to reduce fever (43, 84, 95).
As its name suggests, P. antidysentericum has been used to treat digestive disorders. A decoction of the tuber boiled in milk has been drunk by the Nama of the South African Cape for diarrhea (84), and a tea made with the leaves has been sipped as a remedy for nausea, diarrhea and dysentery in South Africa (43, 84). P. bowkeri is also reportedly used for colic and diarrhea in Lesotho (43) and for dysentery by the Boers of S. Africa (37). In the South African Cape, an infusion of the leaves of P. capitatum has been taken internally for bladder and kidney ailments as well as diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting (84).
The leaves of P. betulinum have been pounded and applied to the skin to treat minor burns in South Africa (84), and a decoction of the leaves and twigs has been inhaled for colds, coughs and upper respiratory infections (63, 68, 84, 95). An infusion of the leaves has been taken internally for intestinal cramping and gas, and a decoction of the leaves and twigs inhaled to remedy sinusitis. The pounded leaves of this plant have also been applied to the skin to treat wounds (84).
The crushed, warmed leaves of P. cucullatum have been applied to boils, bruises, wounds and insect bites, and an infusion of the leaves has been drunk for colic/abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, sore joints and kidney complaints (37, 84). The root of this plant has also been used by the Khoi of the South African Cape for diarrhea, and an infusion of the leaves has been employed as a wash to soothe sore muscles (84).
P. minimum (syn. P. fumariodes) has been used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient (29). P. reniforme and P. grossularioides have also been used to promote menstruation, and the latter was used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient by the Zulus, Boers and Cape Malays of Africa (37, 68, 95).
In South Africa, P. graveolens has been burned and inhaled to treat asthma, and an infusion of the leaves has been drunk for abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia (84). The stems and leaves of P. inquinans have been pounded and used for colds and headaches (84, 95).
An infusion of the root of P. luridum is used by the Shona of Zimbabwe to treat backache and is also considered a remedy for abdominal pain in infants. Oddly, the entire plant has reportedly been used by this same group as an abortifacient (84). Powdered root or an infusion of the leaves, stalk and root is taken by the Zulu for abdominal pain/cramps, nausea, vomiting, and to reduce fever (37, 68, 84), and an infusion of the root is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery (84). The Zulu also eat the tuber or mix the powdered root into porridge for dysentery (84, 95). A lotion made from the whole plant is considered a remedy for skin eruptions of cattle in Botswana. Also in this region, skin sores are treated with a wash made from the leaves (84).
The pounded leaves of P. peltatum have been applied to minor burns and in South Africa, the leaf sap has been taken for sore throats (84), and the "leaves have been used as an antiseptic" (63). A decoction of the leaves of P. quercifolium has been taken internally as a remedy for transient high blood pressure, heart disease and rheumatism. The leaves of P. radens have been included in a mixture to kill insect pests of the skin, and the leaves have been rubbed on the skin to treat leg pain (84).
The leaves of P. pulverulentum were used to treat hemorrhoids and the roots for diarrhea and dysentery by the Xhosa. P. rapaceum also has reported medicinal use as an astringent for diarrhea (95).
A decoction of P. reniforme boiled in milk has been used for diarrhea and dysentery (43, 68, 84), and the root has been used to treat liver problems in calf and sheep by the Xhosa of the Eastern Cape of South Africa (84, 95). The root has been used to prevent maggots from infesting wounds (84), and the boiled leaves have been used to dress wounds (68). Other species that have been reportedly used for diarrhea and dysentery include the roots of P. rapaceum and P. triste (14).
A decoction of P. sidoides and other plants has been used in Africa to expel worms and other
parasites from calves. The plant is considered a diarrhea remedy by the Zulu and a decoction of
the root has been used to treat diarrhea in Transkei, South Africa. The Zulu have also reportedly
used this plant to treat gonorrhea. In Transkei, P. sidoides has been used for rectal prolapse
and the root is included in a mixture for infant stomach aches (84).
In the South-West Cape of South Africa, a poultice made from the leaves of P. tomentosum has been
applied to bruises and sprains (84). An infusion of P. triste has been taken internally in South
Africa as an astringent for diarrhea, dysentery and nausea (63, 84, 95), and has been employed as
a vermifuge (68).
P. transvaalense root was used for fever (37, 63), diarrhea, dysentery (96) and colds (68), and
P. tragacanthoides for neuralgia (37), gout, rheumatism, colds and flu (97). In Africa,
P.
inquinans is reportedly used for colds and headaches (68).