Geraniums

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I like geraniums. I managed to find some with flowers in the purple range. That was great! I liked them so much I put them in planters instead of flower beds. Then I could move them inside instead of letting them die in the winter. There are low-growing ones and tall ones. The low ones are good for front borders of gardens. The taller ones are better toward the back. Unless waterlogged, geraniums grow in any soil and pretty much any light. Unlike some flowers, geraniums only need light fertilizer applications. Geraniums are native to South Africa. They were brought to Britain in the 1600's. While checking out geraniums, I found some interesting new facts... Geranium oil can be used as an astringent and an antiseptic. It can be used to clean the face or restore balance to dry or oily hair. They also have soothing qualities that can be useful in dealing with PMS, anxiety and menopause. They have a reputation for helping heal bruises, cuts and scrapes, eczema, nail fungus, sunburn, insomnia and vericose veins. In the ancient world they were known as a natural tick repellent. Geraniums can be used as an herb in cooking or made into a tea. Some people use this tea for stomach ulcers and headaches. There are also scented geraniums. They aren't 'true' geraniums, though. I never knew that my pretty flowers had other helpful uses. Do you have geraniums? Do you think you would ever try some of the other uses found? My sources were: www.hardygeraniums.com http://www.creative-home.net/Article31.htm http://gardensablaze.com/HerbScentedGeraniumMed.htm They had how to make the tea and steep the flowers and leaves for the topical applications on those sites.