Apple Geranium, Pelargonium odoratissimum (but may be labeled Geranium odoratissimum), is also sometimes called apple-rose-scented geranium, nutmeg geranium or rose geranium. Care should be taken not to confuse this plant with the rose geranium or the rose scented geranium, which are closely related but distinct species. More distant relatives include the spotted cranesbill (sometimes called wood or wild geranium) and herb robert.
Apple Geranium is an evergreen but frost tender perennial which reaches a height of around 2 feet. It does not like heavy soil, but is otherwise unfussy as to soil type, and will not grow in full shade. It is best grown in a pot in areas where winters are cold and prolonged, so that it can be brought indoors to a cool porch, conservatory or greenhouse while frost threatens.
As with the two previous herbs, this plant is strongly scented, and if grown indoors will act as a fly repellent, especially if the leaves are brushed now and again to increase the scent. The fragrance varies from apple to mint, and fresh leaves can be used for flavoring either by putting them in the base of cake trays or crushing them and adding direct to the food to be flavored. Again, you can dry the leaves to add scent to pot pourri.
Apple geranium is an astringent herb, useful in the treatment of gastroenteritis, to stop bleeding and also as a tonic. Externally it can be used to treat skin infections, cuts and grazes, and as a gargle for sore throat, which makes it an ideal first port of call for minor ailments when you’ve got kids at home. Make a standard infusion using 3 handfuls of fresh leaves or 30g (1 oz) of dried to 570ml (2.5 US cups, 1 UK pint) of boiling water. Allow to stand for between 15 minutes and 4 hours, then strain before use. The dosage for internal use is up to 240ml (1 US cup, 8 fl oz) per day, split into 3 doses.
As I always say, plants grown for medicinal use should always be grown organically to avoid the active constituents being corrupted or entirely eliminated by the action of foreign chemicals, and apple geranium is no exception to this rule. To find out more about growing organic herbs visit the Gardenzone.
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