Information on Geranium essential oil
Geranium essential oil is extracted from the plant Pelargonium odoratissimum, of the Geraniaceae family and is extracted from a different plant than its cousin rose geranium essential oil – as this more expensive oil is extracted from Pelargonium graveolens.
It is a strong smelling oil with a floral aroma and a hint of mint, and when extracted from the Odoratissimum plant has a slight apple undertone, whereas the Graveolens oil has a rosier aroma.
Geranium Essential Oil, a fresh oil, has a firm place in aromatherapy, as it helps to balance the mind and emotions, while stimulating the adrenal cortex and balancing the hormonal system and stimulating the lymphatic system. On the other hand, it balances the production of sebum in the skin, while keeping it supple and helping with the healing of wounds.
Oil Properties
The oil is mostly colorless, but can have a slight light green color to it. It has a watery viscosity.
Origin
The plants originated from South Africa, as well as Reunion, Madagascar, Egypt and Morocco and were introduced to European countries such as Italy, Spain and France in the 17th century.
There are about 700 different varieties of the plant, yet only 10 supply essential oil in viable quantities, as the normal garden geranium produce far too little oil for extraction.
It is a hairy perennial shrub, often used in hedgerows, and stands up to about one meter high (3 feet) with pointed leaves, serrated at the edges and it has pinkish-white flowers.
In early times geraniums were planted around the house to keep evil spirits at bay.
Extraction
The leaves and stalks are used for extraction, and the oil is obtained through steam distillation.
Chemical composition
The essential oil is composed of various chemical constituents and includes α-pinene, myrcene, limonene, menthone, linalool, geranyl acetate, citronellol, geraniol and geranyl butyrate.
Precautions
Geranium essential oil may interfere with medication for diabetes when it is used on wounds and broken skin. This essential oil is generally safe to use on unbroken skin, but a small percentage of people have reported it to be an irritant to their skin in certain studies.
As with most essential oils, this essential oil should be kept in a dark and cool place and should be stored in an airtight dark glass bottle (Preferably in the fridge at a temperature of around 4° Celsius / 39° Fahrenheit).
Please read our page with heading: Safety with Essential Oils before using this oil.
We recommend the following book as an excellent resource regarding safety:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young (#ad)
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of geranium oil are astringent, haemostatic, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic, deodorant, haemostatic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.
Uses
Geranium oil can be used to help in the treatment of acne, bruises, dermatitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, lice, as a mosquito repellant, ringworm, breast engorgement, edema, poor circulation, sore throat, tonsillitis, PMS, menopausal problems, stress and neuralgia.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy geranium essential oil can be used to help relieve stress, mild depression, PMS, anxiety and tension, menopausal problems and for general energizing.
Blended Massage Oil or in the Bath
Geranium essential oil can be used in blended massage oil, or diluted in a bath to assist with PMS, depression, stress, anxiety and tension, fluid retention, edema, eczema, shingles, cellulite, bruises, insect repellent, ringworm, hemorrhoids and menstrual irregularities.
Blended in a Cream
As a constituent in a blended base cream, geranium oil can be used for eczema, repelling insects, shingles, cellulite, ringworm, bruises and engorgement of the breasts. It will help to balance the oil production of the skin and help keep it supple.
Diluted in Shampoo
Geranium essential oil can also be diluted in shampoo to help with head lice.
Suggested Dilution Rates
On the skin
Adult:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 1.5% to 3%
Bath: 1.5% to 4%
3 to 24 months:
Face: 0.25% to 0.5%
Body: 0.25% to 0.5%
Bath: Maximum of 0.5%
2 to 6 years:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 0.5% to 2%
6 to 15 years
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 3%
Bath: 0.5% to 3%
Pregnancy
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 0.5% to 2%
- When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional before use.
- Most professionals and/or Aromatherapists will always err on the side of safety when giving advice regarding the use of essential oils and oleo resins during pregnancy.
- Quite a number of Aromatherapists advise that you should avoid all essential oils completely while pregnant, specifically during the first trimester. This is a very safe approach but may not be necessary at all.
Diffusers and Vaporisers
4 to 8 drops
General:
- When using for the first time – Always use the lowest dilution rate and build up slowly to the maximum. Stop using all essential oils on the skin if irritation or allergy occurs.
- Any advice or instruction received from a medical professional ALWAYS supersedes recommendations or advice found on this website. When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional.
Summary
This uplifting oil has a great all-over balancing effect on the mind and this uplifting property also extends to the effect it has on the skin – where it helps to create balance between oily and dry skin.
It helps to sort out emotions – where it helps to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, and also works on the adrenal cortex, which has a balancing effect on the hormone system.
The strong smell is particularly good to ward off mosquitoes and head lice.
Care should be taken when using any type of Geranium oil on the skin. Geranium essential oil should only be used on unbroken skin.
Blends
Although essential oils blend and mix well aroma-wise with one another, Geranium oil does go very well with other oils such as angelica, Basil, Bergamot, Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Citronella, Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lime, Neroli, Orange and Rosemary.
){kind=link}