Health benefits of Herb Robert – Geranium robertianum

Geranium robertianum, commonly known as herb-Robert, red robin, storksbill, Robert’s geranium, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Geraniaceae family. The plant is native to Central Europe, Mediterranean and Asia. It is common in Europe, with the exception of the far north, in temperate parts of Asia, North Africa, the Atlantic area of North America, and temperate parts of South America. Herb-Robert, red robin, death come quickly, storksbill, fox geranium, stinking Bob, squinter-pip, crow’s foot, Roberts geranium, bloodwort, cranesbill, felonwort, St. Robert, St. Robert’s Wort, Dragon’s blood, Beak Stork, Red Grass, Devil’s Fork, Geranion, Pin of the Virgin, Our Lady Needle, Foot pigeon foot dove, wild chervil and grass Saint Robert are popular common names of the plant.

Geranium, the genus name, comes from the Greek noun geranos, meaning Crane (birds of the group of species known as the Gruidae). It is a reference to the beak-like fruit (seed capsule) which is suggestive of the long beak of a Crane. As for the specific epithet robertianum, which apparently honors someone with the name (probably the surname) Robert, we have not been able to pinpoint for certain the individual after whom Herb Robert is named. It is reputed to be Saint Robert, a French monk who in about 1000 AD was using this plant to treat and cure people with various diseases. Another possibility is that it is simply a corruption of ruber, which means red.

Herb Robert Facts

Plant Description

Herb Robert is a widespread sprawling, erect, annual to short-lived, perennial herb normally growing about 10 to 60 cm tall. The plant is found growing in moist shady positions in undergrowth, rocks and walls, hedge banks, roadsides, waste places, coastal beaches (sea beaches), forests, ridges or ledges, talus and rocky slopes, forest under story, forest edges, riparian zones, and other lowland areas with natural or man-made disturbances. The plant has a preference for light or sandy, loam or medium and clay or heavy soils and needs a soil that has a proper drainage. In addition, plants of this species can thrive in all types of soil, including neutral, acidic and alkaline or basic. Stems are branched in many directions from the base and are decumbent, and have long, spreading hairs on the lower portions.

Leaves

The long petiolate leaves are pinnately-lobed to dissected, with the lowest measuring from 5-15 cm long. The blades are 3-5 cm wide with the 3-5 lobed to dissected leaflets having short stalks or sessile. Basal leaves are few and reduced. Stem leaves are opposite, 15 to 90 mm long, petiolated, and sparsely hairy on both sides. Central leaflets and flowers are stalked. Leaf-stalks are 1.8-4.4 cm long, hairy. Stipules are 2-3 mm long, broadly ovate and sub-acuminate. If Herb Robert leaves are picked frequently, this plant will produce an abundance of leaves so long as the growing conditions permit it.

Flowers

Flowers are actinomorphic (meaning it has a radial or star-shaped flower). It measures 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6–0.8 inches) across. It has five petals about 8-13 mm long with rounded tips and is usually a dark rose-red, with paler veins, and round-tipped. (Sometimes the flower is pale pink.) It has five sepals 6-9 mm long and covered with soft hairs with bristles at their tips with broadly membranous margins, is glossy, long-haired, and erect. Flower has ten stamens and the pistil has five carpels. The style column measures 15-20 mm long with the beak measuring 6-7 mm. Flowers usually grow axillary in pairs or terminating stems. The plant blooms anywhere from late spring into early autumn depending on location. In species such as Geum urbanum or Geranium robertianum flowering may be repeated 2-3 times within one vegetation season.

Fruits

Fertile flowers are followed by carpels, 5-parted, short-hairy at the tips; styles 15-25 mm long, beaks 6-7 mm long. Seed are 2 mm long, elliptic-oblong, reddish-brown, umbo slightly projecting, black.  

Herb-Robert is a well-known for its strong disagreeable mousy smell and its cheerful bright pink flowers. This odor is referred to by the common names stinking Robert and stinky Bob. In folklore it is the plant belonging to the mischievous house goblin Robin Goodfellow (the name Robin is a diminutive of Robert).

Health benefits of Herb Robert

Listed below are some of the well-known health benefits of herb Robert

1. Stress & Anxiety

The effect of herb robert on the nervous system is well-known and the plant has been long used to deal with stress and anxiety. It certainly controls the endocrine system and helps balance hormones that flare up when we are under stress. A cup of tasty tea or a dose of the tincture can be a quick medication to unpleasant mood and overwhelmed mind.

2. Digestive health

If you’re suffering from cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or a generally upset stomach, adding herb robert to your day can be one of the easiest methods to ease your digestive problems. The beneficial organic compounds can rapidly calm inflammation and remove bacteria that may be causing the discomfort, and get your gastrointestinal system back to normal.

3. Relieves Pain

Though quite similar to its anti-inflammatory properties, the analgesic ability of herb robert has made it a popular traditional cure for headaches and other painful injuries. It releases endorphins (the “happy” hormones that relieve pain) and can help with headaches, migraines and chronic pain. It has a rapid soothing reaction, but it’s mostly used for medium amounts of pain.

4. Respiratory health

Herb Robert relieves symptoms of bronchitis, sinusitis, and nose infections because of its powerful antiviral effects.

5. Kidney Health

Because of its diuretic properties, herb robert can improve the health of kidneys and stimulate urination. This removes toxins, excess salts, fats, and water from the body, and helps reduce the strain on your kidneys as well as relieving arthritis and joint pains, since the uric acid (which causes the pain in these conditions) is also flushed out of the body with increased urination.

6. Boosts Immunity

It helps strengthen the body’s defense system against diseases and infections. Its antimicrobial properties can help prevent internal and external pathogens from negatively impacting the body. Herb robert has amazing effects on the immune system: as an energy giver, immune builder, and as a powerful therapeutic and preventative, as a vigorous adaptogen, acting to alleviate minor or major health imbalances.

7. Menopause

Herb Robert tincture is outstanding for treating a range of women’s health issues from hot flashes and distress during menopause and menstrual cramps. It works two-fold, as a uterine tonic and an antidepressant. It has been traditionally used to stabilize hormonal levels during menopause through its action on the adrenal cortex.

8. Antibacterial Properties

Herb Robert has natural antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties that make it a wonderful cold and flu reliever if you feel yourself getting sick. Introducing herb robert to your body will boost the strength of your immune system and promote a quick recovery from a variety of illnesses.

9. Oxygen enhancer

Herb robert has a mind-blowing medicinal property not often seen in the herbal world. It is a source of germanium, a valuable element to the body, as it has the ability to make oxygen available to the cells. More oxygen, at cell level, means the body has the opportunity to fight disease by its own powers, and healing can take place quickly. Lack of oxygen, available to the cells, can be caused by free radicals and a toxic state around the cells: meaning the cells cannot get the required oxygen, or the nutrients, to regenerate. The area becomes anaerobic, the main reason we develop pain, disease, wayward cells and cancer.

10. Blood clotting effect

Herb Robert, being a styptic, has the capability to stop the occurrence of hemorrhage as it slows down blood flow by contracting the arteries and veins. It also has hemostatic properties, which cause the blood to clot. This helps heal wounds faster.

11. Foot soak

Foot infusion is said to remove toxins, heavy metals and prevent radiation damage, so would be of benefit to those using mobile phones, computers, microwaves or having x-rays, which pretty much means all of us! To make a foot infusion put a handful of chopped herb Robert in a bowl and pour a liter of boiling water over it stirring well. Add enough cold water to make it comfortable and soak your feet for 15 wonderful minutes.

12. Reduces Inflammation

One of the common uses of herb robert is to relieve inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from sore joints, aching muscles, or even internal inflammation of the digestive or cardiovascular system, herb robert can provide relief from the discomfort while reducing the strain on your body’s sensitive areas.

Traditional uses and benefits of Herb Robert

• Herb Robert is little used in modern herbalism, but is occasionally used as an astringent to halt bleeding, treat diarrhea.
• Externally, a wash or poultice is applied to swollen and painful breasts, rheumatic joints, bruises, bleeding etc.
• A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant.
• Herb Robert has been used in the folk medicine of several countries, including as a treatment for diarrhea, to improve functioning of the liver and gallbladder, for toothache and nosebleeds, and as a vulnerary (used for or useful in healing wounds).
• Herb Robert is also effective in treating stomach ulcers and uterus inflammation.
• It is also claimed that herb possesses the potential to develop as an effective remedy for cancer.
• In earlier times, people used herb Robert to cure toothache as well as nosebleeds.
• Fresh leaves of herb Robert are rubbed on the body and are believed to repel insects.
• Leaves of herb Robert are known to possess anti-rheumatic, mildly diuretic, astringent and vulnerary.
• Leaves of this herb also have the ability to lower the blood sugar levels and, hence, it may be helpful in treating diabetes.
• An infusion prepared with the herb Robert leaves is used to treat bleeding, infections of the kidney, stomach disorders, jaundice and other health conditions.
• Leaves are also used topically in the form of a wash or poultice that is applied to distended and throbbing breasts, bruises, rheumatic pains, bleeding and other such medical conditions.
• Chopped fresh leaves also sooth skin rashes and heal wounds and cuts.
• Wash or poultice is applied to swollen and painful breasts, rheumatic joints, bruises, bleeding etc.
• Washed fresh leaves are chewed or prepared as an infusion or decoction used as a mouthwash or gargle for inflammatory conditions of the oral mucous membrane.
• It is used for gout and stomach upsets, mouth sores and inflammation, and as a wash for the complexion.
• Freshly picked leaves are rubbed on the body to repel the mosquitoes because leaves impart their own peculiar odor. When crushed, the fresh leaves smell like burning spices or tire rubber. When rubbed on the skin, it acts as a mosquito repellant.
• The infusion of this plant is also used to gargle for sore throats and oral problems such as mouth ulcers and toothache.
• Due to the anti-microbial properties present in the essential oils of this plant, it is effective against various Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial strains and fungal strains, which are very common molds and also responsible for human respiratory allergic diseases.
• It is an energy giver and immune builder herb, which acts as a free radical scavenger having anti-biotic, anti-viral and anti-oxidant properties.
• This herb is a natural source of germanium, which acts as an oxygen carrier and catalyst that stimulates the electrical impulses at a cellular level, which benefits the entire body.
• Its astringent properties make it an effective remedy for nosebleeds, diarrhea, excessive mucus, and menorrhagia, or excessive menstrual flow.
• Poultice of boiled leaves applied directly to the skin can reduce inflammation in wounds and ease bruising.
• It can also be used this way to treat eczema, acne, inflammation under fingernails and toenails, and other skin conditions.
• Drinking tea made from the boiled leaves can soothe gastrointestinal disorders including inflammation and peptic ulcers.
• Tea has also been used as a remedy for such diverse conditions as typhoid, tuberculosis, boils, malaria, and infections of the urinary tract.
• Dilution of the tea can be used as an eye wash to reduce inflammation of the eye.

Culinary Uses

• Fresh leaves can be eaten or tossed into a mug to make a tea.
• Flower and leaves can be dried and stored so that it can be used throughout the winter months as a tea or tossed into salads as a nutrient booster.
• The root can be dried and used.
• Flowers have a faint citrus flavor similar to the leaves and are ideal when crystallized and scattered on desserts.
• Flowers eaten raw as garnish in salads.
• Some people eat the fresh leaves of Herb Robert in salads.
• Traditionally, leaves and flowers of this plant have been used to make tea.

Other Facts

• They impart their own peculiar odor.
• Brown dye is obtained from the whole plant.
• Freshly picked leaves are rubbed on the body the smell is said to repel mosquitoes.
• Aerial parts used internally for treating swelling in pigs (tea is given to pigs to drink).

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

• Apply organic mulches, such as bark, compost, grass clippings, straw, and other materials, in a layer from two to several inches thick for effective weed management.
• Inorganic mulches, such as plastic, commercial “weed barrier” fabrics and other materials such as roofing paper, is an effective weed management option. Cover inorganic mulches with a thin layer of soil or organic mulch.
• Hand-pulling or hoeing is an excellent control method for small infestations. Grasp plants firmly near the base to ensure removal of the roots. Bag plants that are in bloom or have set seed; dispose of these plants in the trash (do not compost).
• Mowing, roto-tilling or use of string trimmers will help control plants that have not begun to bloom or set seed. Do not use these methods on plants that have begun to flower or seed as they will further disperse the seeds.
• Because seeds sprout throughout much of the year, monitor the site frequently for new seedlings.
• Composting is acceptable for non-flowering and non-seeding plants, but backyard composts often are not hot enough to kill seeds. Herb Robert has been known to spread from compost piles.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

Apply according to label directions. Glyphosate products should be applied as spot treatments only! NOTE: Some ingredients listed here are only available in combination. Read the label carefully on combination products to make sure the product is suitable for your specific situation.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29119#null

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Geranium+robertianum

http://www.floracatalana.net/geranium-robertianum-l-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium_robertianum

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/114545

https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/Geranium_robertianum_BIO_GERO.pdf

https://www.ipmimages.org/browse/subthumb.cfm?sub=11980

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2823970

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Herb%20Robert.html

http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=A295AF7A-ECE8-4555-B7C1-ADC2A8179E14

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/GERRO

https://eflora.neocities.org/Geranium%20robertianum.html

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