Pelargonium odoratissimum (Geraniaceae)

  • The plant

It is a perennial, evergreen small shrub, with green to grey leaves and white to reddish flowers from May to August. It requires dry or moist soil and can not grow in the shade.

  • Uses and ethnopharmacology

Pelargonium leaves have a strong aroma and it is used to flavor tea, sauces, jellies, cakes, deserts, punches and coffee and repel insects as well.
In folk medicine a tea of Pelargonium odoratissimum is used as relaxant and to reduce fever. Inhalation of its vapours eases cough and sinus problems, relaxes asthmatics, helps heal colds and flu. A leaf preparation taken orally is used as a cardiac stimulant in South Africa, whereas in northern Morocco is used to ease cough, and decongest respiratory canals

  • Chemical composition and active constituents

The essential oil of the herb contains methyleugenol, fenchone and limonene isomenthone. Flavonols (Myricetin Quercetin Kaempferol), proanthocyanidins, free ellagic acid and ellagitannins have been reported in the non volatile constituents.

                                                  

                              Quercetin                                          Ellagic acid