Pelargonium Sidoides Root
Pelargonium Sidoides Root
- Allow 7 to 14 days
Pelargonium sidoides root comes from a small medicinal pelargonium with a long history in traditional medicine. The dark red-brown root of Pelargonium sidoides is cut and dried for simmering into an earthy, astringent brew.
Key Benefits
- For the colder months: traditionally taken through winter as a simmered brew, and well known to herbalists today.
- The right pelargonium: sometimes called black pelargonium for its almost black flowers, and a different plant from garden geraniums and rose geranium.
- Cut for simmering: the tough, fibrous pieces give far more to a gentle simmer than to a quick steep.
- Earthy and astringent: the root is rich in tannins, which give it a dry finish that's easy to soften with honey or a sweeter herb.
For pelargonium tea, simmer about a teaspoon of the cut root in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. It's usually taken for short stretches of a week or two rather than every day, all year.
On its own the taste is earthy and quite dry, so it's often softened with something sweeter. Try simmering it with a slice of Ginger Root or a few pieces of Licorice Root Tea, or add a spoonful of Elderberries to the pot for colour and a fruity note. A little honey stirred in once it has cooled slightly works too.
Store it in an airtight jar away from heat and light.
Pelargoniums and geraniums get mixed up all the time. Pelargonium sidoides is a low, tufted plant with velvety, heart-shaped, silvery-green leaves and small flowers so dark they look almost black, and it's the thick red-brown root that's used. Garden geranium roots aren't a substitute.
The plant behind the root remedy went unidentified for decades, until researchers traced it to Pelargonium sidoides and a close relative in 1977.
Pelargoniums are on the toxic plant lists for cats and dogs, so store the root where pets can't get to it.
Rare liver reactions have been reported, so stop and see a doctor if your skin or eyes turn yellow. Avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and ask your doctor first if on blood thinners. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
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