Geranium, Rose Essential Oil

Oil Properties:
Scent: Rose-like
Odor Intensity: High
Evaporation Rate: Middle Note
Color: mostly colorless to light green

SAFETY: Avoid in early pregnancy. Possible irritant to sensitive skin or in strong dilution. Can cause insomnia if overused. Avoid long term use with history of estrogen-dependent cancer.

Uses:

Aromatherapists sum up the reaction to rose geranium as physically and emotionally "balancing."  The scent is good for those who feel overly emotional and need more stability.  Experimental clinics in Azbajian found it successful for this and also to stabilize blood pressure, increasing or lowering it a few points depending upon the individual needs.  It also acts as a sedative to induce sleep.  In cosmetics, it's suitable for all complexion types and is said to slow the skin's aging process.  As a salve, cream, lotion, or massage oil, geranium essential oil treats a long list of skin problems and fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  As a result, it is known to relieve inflammation, eczema, acne, burns, infected wounds, ringworm, lice, shingles, and herpes blisters.  It also helps remove, or at least prevent, scarring and stretch marks.  It's excellent for treating hormonally-related problems, such as PMS, menopause, and fluid retention.  In its native Africa, the herb tea is used to stop diarrhea and internal bleeding.

Geranium oil can be used to help in the treatment of the following: acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, lice, mosquito repellant, ringworm, ulcers, breast engorgement, edema, poor circulation, sore throat, tonsillitis, PMS, menopausal problems, stress and neuralgia.

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, emotions - where it helps to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, and the hormone system. 

The strong smell is particularly good to ward off mosquitoes and head lice and is good to relieve fluid retention and help fight cellulite.

Origin of Geranium Essential oil:

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 like the normal garden geranium produce far too little oil for extraction.

It is a hairy perennial shrub, often used in hedgerows, and stand up to about one meter high (3 feet) with pointed leaves, serrated at the edges and has pinkish-white flowers. In early times geraniums were planted around the house to help keep evil sprits at bay.

Extraction:

Steam distilled - Oil is extracted from the leaves

Chemical composition:

Geraniol, Geranic, Citronellol, Citronellyl Formate, Linalol (Linalool), Euganol, Myrtenol, Terpineol, Citral, Methone and Sabinene.