Indian Geranium
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Scientific name
Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) W.Watson
English Name
Indian Geranium
Malayalam name
സാമ്പാർപ്പുല്ല്
Common name
Palmarosa
Description
- Habit : Tall perennial aromatic grass
- Habitat : In tropical and subtropical open deciduous forests.
- Leaves : Linear-lanceolate, smooth, hairless, and highly aromatic when crushed.
- Flowers : Reddish-brown spikelets arranged in false panicles.
Uses
Skin diseases, fevers, dyspepsia, joint pain, fungal infections, stress
Parts used
Leaves, essential oil
How to use
- Skin infections, fungal problems : Palmarosa essential oil is diluted with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and applied on the skin for skin infections, fungal problems, and dryness.
- Stress and mental fatigue : A few drops of the oil are used in a diffuser or steam inhalation to help reduce stress and mental fatigue.
- Digestive problems : Leaves are boiled in water and the decoction is used for fever and digestive problems.
Conservation
Propagation & Cultivation
It is typically propagated through seeds or vegetative division using rooted slips. It grows best in well-drained loamy or sandy-loam soils and requires a warm, tropical climate with plenty of sunshine. For commercial essential oil production, slips are planted at the onset of the monsoon. The crop is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from occasional irrigation. Harvesting is usually done when the grass starts flowering, as this is when the essential oil yield and quality are highest.
