Rose Geranium Essential Oil

Rose Geranium

Pelargonium roseum is not only beautiful, but happens to be one of the most useful, and wonderful essential oils we have. As you’ll soon see, it’s uses are many and it’s beauty is more than skin deep.

Rose Geranium, or Geranium Rose-

AuraCacia has this to say about Geranium essential oil:

Pelargonium graveolens, the rose-scented geranium, belongs to the same plant genus as the popular red-flowered window box geranium. Geraniums are native to arid areas of South Africa’s Cape Province. The plant is highly drought resistant, thanks to its semi-succulent, water-conserving stems and leaves.

The essential oil in rose geranium leaves has constituents — geraniol, linalol and citronellol — that are also present in rose oil. It’s not surprising that the aroma of geranium’s fragrance resembles that of rose with a musty, minty-green undertone.

Geranium oil has been described as a natural perfume complete unto itself. It’s often used to scent soaps and detergents because, unlike many other essential oils, rose geranium’s aroma profile is not readily affected by the alkaline nature of soap products.

Rose geranium varies much across strains and distillations, in part because the plant is greatly influenced by the climate and soil in which it grows. Geranium oil can range from very sweet and rosy to musty, minty and green. One type of geranium oil, known as Bourbon, has established itself as a premium perfume oil. Bourbon geranium is cultivated and distilled exclusively on the island of Reunion in the Indian ocean. The environment of Reunion has produced a strain of geranium with a very rich, rosy aroma. Perfumers prefer to work with Bourbon oil because it blends well with a wide array of very different oils including clove, sandalwood and lavender.

The main geranium oil-producing regions of the world are found on the African continent, Russia, China and Reunion. Russian and Chinese oils tend to have a greener, fresh-rosy aroma while Egyptian and Reunion oils tend to be heavier and darker.

Geranium oil is distilled from the above-ground parts of the plant. Most of the essential oil glands are found in its leaves. After cutting, the plants are partially dried to increase the yield of oil. That way there’s less water to be vaporized and extracted from the plant material during the distillation.

Popular during the Victorian era, rose geranium was often kept potted in parlors were a fresh sprig was always available to revive the senses. The fresh leaves were also offered in finger bowls at formal dining tables.

Today, geranium is an indispensable aromatherapy oil. It’s one of the best skincare oils, offering relief from congested, oily and dry skin. On an emotional level, geranium promotes stability and balance.

Aromatherapy Uses: Lifts the spirits, boosts immune system and heals a variety of skin conditions such as eczema, burns, wounds, bruises and others. Great hormonal balancer for women. analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antihemorrhagic, cicatrizant, diuretic, lymphotonic, antimicrobial, antipruritic, antispasmodic , antiviral, astringent, tonic & stimulant, pancreatic stimulant, deodorant, hepato-stimulant, phlebotonic

Skin: acne,burns, bruises, broken capillaries, balances oil glabnd secretion, congested and mature skin, healing especially after facial plastic surgery, eczema, cellulite, mosquito repellent

Respiratory: asthma, sore throat, tonsillitis, clears mucus Muscular/skeletal: osteo- arthritis, rheumatism

Digestive: jaundice, gastritis, colitis, cleans digestive system of mucus, liver tonic

Cardiovascular/Lymphatic: aids poor circulation, stimulates lymphatic system, hemorrhoids, phlebitis

Immune: immune stimulant Endocrine: adrenal, cortical, glandular problems

Genito-Urinary/ Reproductive: eases PMS, menopause, kidney tonic-diuretic

Nervous/ Brain/ Mind: nervous stress, neuro-balancing, neuralgia, quells anxiety, uplifting antidepressant

Rose Geranium

Emotional/Energetic: Taps into the power of the heart, increasing imagination, intuition and sensory world. Increases the capacity for intimate communication, allowing one to receive and to give and express.

Rose geranium’s strong middle note blends well with basil, bergamot, cedar, citronella, clary sage, fennel,  jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, neroli, nutmeg, and rosemary. Also Blends very well with: Eucalyptus, lavender, clary sage, rose, lime, orange, frankincense, grapefruit, ylang ylang

RECIPE for

Sunshine Smiles Aromatherapy Recipe

Ingredients

• 10 drops Bergamot essential oil
• 10 drops Grapefruit essential oil
• 15 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
• 5 drops Rose Geranium essential oil
• 3 drops Ylang ylang extra essential oil
• 3 drops Spruce essential oil (or sandalwood for more calming)
• 4fl oz (125ml) carrier oil of your choice, such as jojoba, grapeseed oil, fractionated coconut oil, hazelnut oil, or any you like.

Directions;

Combine all the ingredients in a dark glass or PET plastic bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place (not your bathroom – it’s too warm and humid.)
To use your aromatherapy bath oil, pour about a tablespoon into the bath after you’ve finished running the water.
Handy Hint: This aromatherapy bath oil is excellent for acne. To boost its acne-fighting powers, use grapeseed oil as the carrier oil (it’s astringent – helps tighten pores and reduce oil production.)

SCIENTIFIC INFO:

Botanical name: Pelargonium Odorantissimum / Graveolens
Botanical family: Geraniaceae

Note: Middle

Part of plant used: Stems and leaves

Origin: Algeria, Reunion, Madagascar and Guinea

Description: Sweet and heavy, similar to Rose

History: The Ancients regarded Geranium as an exceptional vulnerary with the power to mend fractures and eliminate cancers.

Properties and Indications:

• Antiseptic
• Astringent – contracts capillaries
• Stimulates the nervous system
• Excellent for the skin – eczema and psoriasis
• Anticoagulant – for circulation
• Haemostatic – prevents hemorrhage
• Gentle detoxification
• Hemorrhoids
• Varicose veins
• Harmonizing and re-balancing
• Regulates and stimulates the adrenal cortex which in turn balances the body

Personality

• Ambivalent- refreshing and a tonic but also has calming qualities

Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing

SOURCES: Sheppard-Hanger Sylla, THE AROMATHERAPY PRACTITIONER REFERENCE MANUAL, Tampa, 1998 Mojay, Gabriel, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, London, 1996 Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Brisbane, 1997