Practical
Plants

Geranium robertianum

Herb Robert

an annual or biennial member of the Geranium genus in the family Geraniaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, biennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insect, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insect, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Herb Robert is little used in modern herbalism, but is occasionally employed as an astringent to halt bleeding, treat diarrhoea etc in much the same way as G. maculatum[10]. The leaves are antirheumatic, astringent, mildly diuretic and vulnerary[12][13][3][4][6]. Modern research has shown that the leaves can lower blood sugar levels and so it can be useful in the treatment of diabetes[8]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of bleeding, stomach ailments, kidney infections, jaundice etc[4]. Externally, a wash or poultice is applied to swollen and painful breasts[4], rheumatic joints[12], bruises, bleeding etc[13]. It is best to use the entire plant, including the roots[13]. The plant can be harvested at any time from late spring to early autumn and is usually used fresh[13][6]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[13]. Details of uses are not given in this report[K].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Freshly picked leaves are rubbed on the body to repel mosquitoes[11]. They impart their own peculiar odour. A brown dye is obtained from the whole plant[1].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to N. Africa, east to.Japan and the Himalayas
Habitat
Moist shady positions in undergrowth[12], rocks and walls, hedge banks, roadsides and waste places[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any moderately fertile retentive soil in a sunny position[2]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types[2], succeeding in dry soils[6]. Grows well on woodland edges[7]. The whole plant has an unpleasant aroma[8]. The foxy smell is particularly pronounced after rain[9]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[5].

References

  1. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  3. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  4. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  8. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  11. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩

  12. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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