Geranium Essential Oil
Family: Geraniaceae
Common Name: Geranium
Botanical Name: Pelargonium graveolens
Extraction method: Steam distillation of the leaves and branches.
Odour: Bourbon geranium is a greenish-olive oil with a pronounced green leafy-rosy scent.
General Description
Geranium is a bushy perennial shrub, growing to a height of one metre, with hairy, serrated, heart-shaped leaves and dense umbels of pink flowers. The Pelargonium genus is a very extensive one, and includes of 200 different species, most of which originate from South Africa. Among the small number of species cultivated for their oil, it is the Pelargonium graveolens of the Reunion Islands, which is thought to produce oil of the highest quality.
History / Folk Lore
There is very little historical reference to the Pelargonium genus. Geraniums originated in South Africa and were introduced into Europe in the late 17th century, geranium became a popular garden plant. It was the French chemist, Recluz, who in 1819 was the first to distill the leaves of geranium. The Italian doctor Rovesti employed geranium oil in the treatment of anxiety states.
Main Uses In Massage
Geranium is one of the most useful remedies in aromatherapy massage because of its wide range of action, its mildness on the skin, and its reasonable cost.
Geranium helps the body cope with stress, making it suitable both for calming and uplifting. It is frequently used with good results on clients who are both tired and mentally overstimulated.
Geranium is a highly effective antifungal that is well tolerated by the skin. Useful for clients with yeast infections and possibly athlete’s foot.
Geranium is extremely astringent and is used in aromatherapy for tightening and firming the skin and underlying tissue. It is also anti-inflammatory for the skin and mildly antibacterial, making it an excellent remedy for acne, dermatitis, rosacea and shingles.
Therapeutic Properties or Actions
Anti-depressant, antiseptic, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic, deodorant, haemostatic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.
Body Systems & Therapeutic Uses
Integumentary system – Excellent astringent and haemostatic properties making it useful for treating wounds and bruises. Recommended for its anti-inflammatory properties for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Cytophylactic properties make it useful for the treatment of burns and wounds.
Nervous system – Excellent regulating effect on the nervous system; used to relieve stress, nervous tension, depression, headaches and anxiety. Both sedative and uplifting.
Reproductive system – Recommended for conditions where fluctuating hormones are a problem. May be used to relieve premenstrual tension and menopause.
Skin Care – Popular for its ability to balance the production of sebum — making it valuable for skin that is either dry, oily or combination skin.
Energetics – Geranium oil is cooling and moist. Has the ability to calm the mind, relax the body, ease frustration and irritability.
Precautions
None at usual doses, including pregnancy.
May cause some irritation to sensitive skin.
Disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from a medical practitioner.
© Graphics are property of Aromatherapy For Australia. Please do not use images without permission or without credit or link back to this blog post.
Please read our Terms & Conditions
