11 Jan Essential Oils for Real Life: Geranium
Geranium Essential Oil: Balancing, Nurturing, Lifting
Did you know that there are over 200 species of geranium? The one we recognize as the scent of geranium essential oil comes from the rose geranium introduced to Réunion Island, in the Indian Ocean, around 1870. Each leaf of the geranium plant (often called Rose Geranium) is covered in thousands of tiny hairs. At the end of each hair is a tiny sac filled with essential oil.
To obtain half a liter of Géranium Bourbon essential oils, 400 kilograms of leaves and stems must be distilled inside a still heated with wood fire. These essential oils are prized in perfume manufacturing, in the pharmaceutical industry, in aromatherapy, in cosmetics and in soap manufacturing. Rose geranium essential oils have many useful medicinal properties too: it is cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic, deodorant, anti-depressant, antiseptic, astringent, haemostatic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.
~ Cultivation of Geranium in Réunion Island.
Geranium Essential Oil Scent Profile: strong smelling oil with a floral aroma and a hint of mint.
The therapeutic properties of Geranium Bourbon Essential Oil include the being used as an astringent, haemostatic, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, tonic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic and as an anti-infectious agent. 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. Geranium Bourbon can also be used to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of inner peace. The strong smell of this oil is particularly good to ward off mosquitoes and head lice.
Geranium essential oil provides numerous health benefits due its uses as an astringent, hemostatic, cica
trisant, diuretic, and many others. Below are just some of the ways this essential oil serves both your physical and emotional health:
- It causes your gums, muscles, intestines, skin, blood vessels, , and tissues to contract due to its astringent properties. It prevents skin problems like sagging and wrinkling, and helps give your muscles a toned appearance.
- It contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. It can inhibit the bacterial strains Brevibacterium linens and Yersinia enterolitica, as well as the fungal species Aspergillus niger. It can also prevent bacterial infections.
- It can help eliminate the appearance of scars and dark spots by improving blood circulation just below the surface of the skin and promoting an equal distribution of melanin.
- It can help speed up the healing of wounds by triggering blood clotting. This also stops toxins from reaching your bloodstream through open wounds.
- It assists in detoxification by increasing the rate of urination. This process of elimination does not only remove toxins from your body, but also aids in your digestive function and helps inhibit the excess gas in your intestines.
- It can serve as a deodorant due to its fragrant scent. It can also cure body odor due to its antibacterial action.
Geranium Essential Oil Benefits
Some of the most common geranium essential oil benefits are:
- Balances hormones
- Relieves stress
- Reduces depression
- Minimizes inflammation
- Improves circulation
- Alleviates the effects of menopause
- Improves dental health
- Reduces blood pressure
- Benefits the health of your skin
- Improves dental health
Geranium Essential Oil Characteristics
- Botanical Name: Pelargonium graveolens
- Plant Part: Leaves & Flowers
- Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
- Origin: Egypt
- Description: Geranium 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 has pinkish-white flowers.
- Color: Pale yellow to greenish yellow liquid
- Consistency: Thin
- Aromatic Scent: Geranium Bourbon Essential Oil is a strong smelling oil with a floral aroma and a hint of mint.
- Note: Middle
- Strength of Aroma: Strong
- Blends well with: Basil, Bergamot, Citronella, Clary Sage, Fennel, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Neroli and Nutmeg
Common Uses of Geranium Essential Oil
- Dab a drop onto a cold sore
- Balance mood by simply inhaling
- Place 5-8 drops in a bath to help sooth a headache or menstrual cramps
- Mix with citronella and diffuse to as a mosquito repellant
- Mix with distilled water or Rose Water in a spray bottle – spray your pillow as a sleep aid
- Mix with a carrier oil and massage skin to sooth eczema,acne or to support scars healing
- Mix with Lavender Essential Oil and diffuse to help relieve tension and stress
- Mix with Sweet Orange Essential Oil and diffuse to live your spirits
- Mix with Rosemary Essential Oil and diffuse to support respiratory health
- Mix with Rose or Vanilla Essential Oil and diffuse as an aphrodisiac
Geranium Essential Oil Safety
- Use only therapeutic grade essential oils.
- Geranium essential oil has no known contraindications and is Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS).
- Is approved by the FDA for use as a Food Additive (FA).
- Children younger than 6 years of age should not use Geranium oil as a dietary supplement.
- If pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a healthcare professional prior to use.
Geranium Essential Oil Blend to Rehydrate Dry Skin
Blend:
- 4 drops of Geranium EO
- 4 drops Frankincense EO
- 2 drops Sandalwood EO
– into 4 tsp of carrier oil. Massage into face and skin nightly.
