Information on Rose geranium essential oil
Rose geranium essential oil is extracted from the plant Pelargonium graveolens of the Geraniaceae family and has a rosier smell than that of its cousin – Pelargonium odorantissimum, which is more the commonly known geranium essential oil and has a more wild “lemon-apple” smell.
If the oil is made from the leaves when they start turning yellow it has a stronger rose aroma then the younger, greener leaves.
Some imitation rose geranium oil is made from the cheaper P. odorantissimum oil while distilling it over rose, to produce a mock-rose geranium oil. Our oil is however the genuine essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens.
Rose Geranium Essential Oil, a crisp and rosy essential oil, stimulates the adrenal cortex and helps to balance the nervous system, while lifting depression and relieving anxiety and has a regulatory effect on the hormonal system, clearing sluggish and oily skin, while assisting with healing.
Oil Properties
Rose Geranium Essential Oil has a sweet and rosy smell with a mint overtone and is mostly colorless, but can have a slight light green color to it. It is watery in 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, since 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. It has pinkish-white flowers.
In early times geraniums were planted around the house to help keep evil sprits at bay.
Extraction
The leaves and stalks are used for extraction, and the oil is obtained through steam distillation.
Chemical composition
Rose Geranium Essential Oil is composed of various chemical constituents and includes a-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.
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 Rose Geranium Essential Oil are antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic, deodorant, haemostatic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.
For our glossary and explanation of these therapeutic terms, please click here
Uses
Rose Geranium Essential Oil has a balancing effect on the nervous system and relieves depression and anxiety, while lifting the spirits and making the world an easier place to live in.
It has a balancing effect on the adrenal cortex and is great for relieving stress.
Its haemostatic nature helps the body systems to balance themselves and since the adrenal cortex is stimulated and balanced, the hormonal system of the body is also corrected and aligned.
On the lymphatic system, it has a greatly stimulating effect and with that helps with detoxifying the body and also affects female health in treating PMS as well as balancing vaginal secretion and heavy periods.
It has a general diuretic effect on the body and balances the water systems in the body, correcting any poor elimination of water and waste material.
It is useful for treating jaundice and gall stones.
On the skin, rose geranium oil helps to balance the secretion of sebum and clears sluggish and oily skins, while the antiseptic and cicatrisant properties make this oil an effective aid to help with burns, wounds, ulcers and other skin problems.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy rose geranium oil can be used to help relieve stress, mild depression, PMS, anxiety and tension, menopausal problems and for general energizing.
Blended in Massage Oil or in the Bath
Rose 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, ringworm, hemorrhoids and menstrual irregularities.
Blended in a Cream
As a constituent in a blended cream or lotion, rose geranium essential oil can be used for clearing sluggish and oily skin, and has value to treat eczema, repelling insects, shingles, cellulite, ringworm, bruises and engorgement of the breasts.
Shampoo
Rose 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 and this extends to the skin – where it helps to create balance between oily and dry skin, keeping the skin supple and clearing congested skin and the emotions – where it helps to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, and to balance the hormone system. Rose geranium essential oil may influence diabetic medication if used on wounds and broken 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.
