Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) loves sun or shade with well-drained soil. Seeds can be sewn in autumn or spring. It self-seeds easily and is especially attractive grown around stepping-stones. If it is comfortable in your soil, it will return year after year.
Commonly known as Herb Robert, Red Robin, Death come quickly, or (in North America) Robert Geranium, is a common species Cranes Bill of Europe, North America, and North Africa.
An annual or biennial plant, with little root structure, it produces small, pink, five-petalled flowers that are about 1 cm in diameter, from April until the autumn. Its leaves are fern-like, and the stems often reddish in coloring and spread into fan-like features. The leaves will also turn red at the end of the flowering season. It grows in both high and low elevations along riverbanks, roads, lakes and other areas. Scientists have noticed that it is especially abundant in high radiation zones, whether the radiation comes from above or below ground lines or geopathic stress zones.
The stems will branch out in many directions and the plant can grow up to thirty or forty centimeters. Its green leaves get up to six centimeters long and are knotted at the joints. Leaves are of palmate shapes, cut deeply and tinged with colorings of bronze, pink or red. The stems and leaves are covered with fine hairs and dainty flowers about fifteen millimeters across with five rounded petals. When the leaves are regularly picked, the plant produces many more leaves.
The flowers will grow in groups of two or four at the leaf axils. The base of the blossoms thicken and develop into oval seedpods about seventeen millimeters long that when mature, resemble a bird’s beak; thus the names “stork bill” and “ cranes bills”.
As the seeds dry, nature opens the “beak” and ejects seeds with a springing action, throwing seeds in up to five different directions. This is nature’s way of ensuring future generations of the plant.
Research has shown that the areas where this herb grows have lesser radiation levels. Scientists suspect that this herb may have the ability to absorb radiation from the soil and disperse it. This feature may allow the herb to be useful for helping both animals and humans to lower radiation levels.
Herb Robert is a plant containing tannins, which may be the reason why it can help to stop bleeding and diarrhea, relieve sore throats and skin irritations. There is some research to show that it can lower blood sugar levels, making it useful for treating diabetes.
The crushed leaves are said to ward off mosquitoes, but it is planted today for its ornamental beauty. In bloom most of the summer, its fall color brightens up any woodland garden long after many other plants have lost their foliage.
Cut the herb when flowering begins and the roots can be harvested later in the fall.
Used by people for centuries, for diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections, bleeding and for peptic ulcers internally and externally for wound healing, skin problems and even for herpes. As a detoxifier, a blood cleanser, as well as, being used for diabetes and shingles. For enteritis, bruises, inflammation, rheumatism and arthritis, as well as being used to prevent hemorrhages, herpes, colds, adrenal problems, lethargy, mucous congestion, gastritis, gout, impotence, hemorrhoids, even eye irritations.
The scent from the leaves of the plant are a natural insecticide and can be used in animal bedding to keep pests away from pets.
The herb may be used in fresh or dried forms, in tea and other infusions, powered, in tablets and tinctures. It contains vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and germanium.
Its uses are as an astringent, adaptogen, antibiotic, antiviral, tonic, styptic, diuretic, digestive, antioxidant and a sedative. A highly therapeutic herb also enhances the immune system.
As a source of germanium, it has the ability to make oxygen available to the body’s cells. More oxygen at the cellular level allows the body to fight disease by itself. Where free radicals can starve the cells of oxygen and create a toxic state, the area can become anaerobic, not able to get enough oxygen, vitamins or nutrients that it needs for cells to regenerate. Pain, disease and many other health problems can result.
Germanium’s effects on the immune system are documented in medical journals. It provides an antibiotic, antiviral and antioxidant stimulus that can alleviate many health imbalances.
An article from 1976 in the “Herald of Health”, written by V. Ferrandiz, N.D., Spain, suggests that this herb may be valuable for treatment of cancer. The article includes case histories and information on how to use the herb.
