What is Geranium Essential Oil?

Geranium essential oil is an aqueous viscosity substance obtained through steam distillation from stems, leaves and flowers of Pelargonium Graveolens plant, which belongs to Geraniaceae family.

It has a sweet and rosy smell with a mint overtone and is mostly colorless, but also, it can have a slight light green color when is extracted from the stems and leaves of the plant.

If the oil is made from the mature leaves, (when they start turning yellow) it has a stronger rose aroma than the younger, greener leaves.

In the market we can find Rose geranium oil and Geranium oil. The difference between geranium oil and rose geranium oil is mainly in its aroma, since both oils come from the Pelargonium plant and Geraniaceae family.

Rose geranium essential oil is extracted from the Pelargonium graveolens and has a rosier smell than that of its cousin Pelargonium odorantissimum, which is the commonly known geranium essential oil and has a more wild “lemon-apple” aroma.

Likewise, they are extremely similar in terms of active components, properties, and benefits.

Geranium oil blends well with angelica, rose, basil, bergamot, carrot seed, cedarwood, sandalwood, citronella, clary sage, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lime, lemon, neroli, orange and rosemary essential oils.

Origin of Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil comes from the Cape of Good Hope region, 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.

In 1960 approximately, the French industry began to use it in areas of perfumery, replacing the famous rose oil.

Currently, geranium essential oil is produced and distributed in Spain, Egypt, Italy, China, Morocco, Japan and Switzerland, from where it is redistributed to the whole world for consumption.

Chemical composition of Geranium Essential Oil

The following are the main components of geranium essential oil:

Citronelol
A-pinene
Myrcene
Limonene
Menthone
Geranyl acetate
Citronellol
Geraniol
Geranyl butyrate.
Nerol
Citronellyl formate
Isomentone
Linalool

Properties of Geranium Essential Oil

The therapeutic properties of geranium oil are : antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antihemorrhagic, stimulant, deodorant, haemostatic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.

In addition, it is an antidepressant and hormonal balancer that serves to eliminate nervousness, anxiety and hormonal alterations.

Uses of Geranium Essential Oil

Hair care

Geranium essential oil can help reduce itchy scalp caused by dryness. This hydrates the affected area and removes excess sebum, allowing the hair to become much stronger and smoother.

Skin care

On the skin, 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.

Because it has cytophilic properties, in case of wounds, can be cured much more easily. The same happens in the case of having minor burns or bruises caused by blows.

In addition, improves cellulite and treats any type of irritation, deflating the area and causing a calming effect to the redness.

Geranium oil moisturizes the skin, and treats basic problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. It also removes dark spots on the skin.

In the case of wrinkles, geranium oil has the ability to regenerate skin cells. This causes dead cells to fall and give space to new cells, allowing eliminate, or at least significantly reduce, the appearance of wrinkles or expression lines on the skin.

To reduce wrinkles, add two drops of geranium oil to your face cream and apply twice a day. After a week or two, you will see how the appearance of wrinkles begins to disappear.

Fights infections

Geranium essential oil can stop the growth of bacteria on the skin, as in the case of wounds. To do this, rub two drops of geranium oil on the affected area and cover with gauze; you can repeat this remedy twice a day until it heals.

Athlete’s foot is also a bacterial infection that can be cured with geranium oil. Add a couple of drops of geranium oil in a foot bath with warm water and sea salt. Do this twice a day to get better results.

Blood coagulation inducer

Geranium oil causes contraction of the blood vessels and, therefore, helps to stop blood flow. It also accelerates the formation of blood clots, which helps in the healing of wounds or incisions preventing toxins from entering the body.

This benefit also helps in the prevention of hemorrhoids.

Helps healing process

Geranium oil helps accelerate the healing process of cuts, wounds and incisions. It also helps with proper pigmentation and appearance of scars, or other skin blemishes fairly quickly and effectively.

Because geranium oil has powerful healing properties, it increases blood circulation just below the surface of the skin. This helps to heal and attenuate spots caused by acne, wounds, cuts, surgical incisions or skin irritations.

Insect repellent and bite healer

Geranium oil is used as a natural insect repellent. To make your own insect repellent, mix geranium oil with water and spritz it on your body. You can also add baking soda to this mixture to increase the effects.

On the other hand, it heals insect bites and stops itching. Use it as a massage oil in the affected area, for a totally natural relief.

Muscle toning

Geranium essential oil helps in the hardening and contraction of muscles, this is due to its astringent properties.

By using this oil, we can avoid the appearance of flaccidity in muscles and skin. In addition, we will obtain a more toned abdominal section.

Create a massage oil by mixing five drops of geranium oil with a tablespoon of jojoba oil or rosehip oil, then, massage on your skin focusing on the muscles.

Natural deodorant

Geranium oil is a circulatory oil, which means that it leaves the body through perspiration.

Because geranium oil has antibacterial properties, it helps in the elimination of body odors and can be used as a natural deodorant. In addition, the pleasant scent of geranium oil is a perfect way to keep us smelling fresh all day.

Add five drops of geranium oil in a spray bottle and mix with five tablespoons of water. This is a natural and beneficial perfume that you can use every day.

Benefits of Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil is widely known for its healing and diuretic power, and also for being a natural hemostatic. In this article we will review the most known therapeutic benefits offered by geranium oil:

Balances hormones
Relieves stress
It can fight infections that appear in the throat, mouth, urinary tract, or in the vaginal area because of fungi
Provides relief to people with arthritis
It can treat nerves and anxiety attacks
Soothes the problems of hemorrhoids
It can reduce bleeding during excessive periods
Has the ability to increase fertility rates
Reduce depression
Minimizes inflammation
Improves circulation
It can stop bleeding that is caused by nosebleeds, wounds or common cuts
Improves cell regeneration, allowing to treat minor burns
Can treat varicose veins and dermatological ulcers
Soothes symptoms of both, menopause and menstruation
Maintains blood sugar level
Improves dental health
Reduces blood pressure
Benefits skin health
Eliminates excess of liquid that can be in the body, thanks to its diuretic properties

After naming some of the many benefits of this wonderful oil, we will delve a little more into those that have also been subjected to extensive studies, and that could be especially useful for you.

Anti-inflammatory agent

Inflammation has been discovered as the cause of almost every health problem, and researchers are analyzing the effects of chronic inflammation on health and possible preventive medical applications. Research shows that geranium essential oil has significant potential for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs with a better safety profile.

Geranium oil inhibits inflammatory responses in the skin. This helps your body fight many health problems. Arthritis, for example, is a joints inflammation, and heart disease is inflammation of the arteries. Instead of taking a medication to reduce joint pain or reduce cholesterol, it is vital to reduce inflammation in the entire body.

A 2013 study showed that geranium oil is a safe and more effective ingredient than anti-inflammatory medication. The data show that geranium oil reduces inflammation in the body, and there are fewer side effects in this essential oil than in medications for cholesterol and joint pain.

Hormonal

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.

Hemorrhages

Geranium essential oil it is useful for treating jaundice, gall stones and can also be used for restraining nose bleeds and other hemorrhaging.

A 2013 study, which included 20 patients, measured the effects of geranium oil on episodes of hemorrhage.

The study lasted 183 days; in the end, 75 percent of the patients felt an improvement with the treatment.

Without adverse side effects, geranium essential oil turned out to be a compound that significantly reduces the number of hereditary bleeding episodes that occurred in these patients.

Cancer

In the case of cancer, it is believed that geranium oil has the ability to eliminate the possible cancer cells in the body, reducing tumors and making a kind of protective layer that prevents these cells reappear in the future. However, more research is still needed in this regard.

Prevents Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Geranium oil has been shown to activate microglial cells that release pro-inflammatory agents, which fight inflammation in the neural pathways. Therefore, it helps prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

This oil works with the natural chemistry of the brain to prevent these conditions that lead to memory loss.

Microglial cells are major immune cells in the brain, and their activation is involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Activated microglial cells secrete proinflammatory factors including nitric oxide (NO), which is an important mediator of neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death.

The study published in the Journal of Functional Foods, in January 2010, demonstrated that geranium oil inhibited NO production, as well as the expression of the proinflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in primary cultures of activated microglial cells.

When tested at their natural relative concentrations in the oil, none of the major constituents of the oil could inhibit NO production. However, at higher concentrations, citronellol exhibited an inhibitory activity.

The results suggest a possible synergistic interaction between these components. Thus, geranium oil might be beneficial in the prevention / treatment of neurodegenerative diseases where neuroinflammation is part of the pathophysiology.

Aromatherapy and Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium 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.

The sweet, floral scent of geranium oil soothes and relaxes the body and mind.

By placing it in an environmental diffuser, it can produce a calming effect, increase self-esteem and provide optimistic feelings.

How is Geranium Essential Oil applied?

Burners and vaporizers

In vapor therapy geranium oil can be used to help relieve: stress, mild depression, PMS, anxiety, tension, menopausal problems and for general energizing.

Blended massage oil or in the bath

Geranium 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.

Massages can be a great help to relieve certain joint pains, reduce inflammation and achieve a sensation of relief from discomfort and muscle pain.

This type of massage is recommended in people with arthritis, since it deflates the affected joints and generates relief, allowing the mobilization of this area without so much pain.

Cream or lotion

As a constituent in a blended cream or lotion, geranium essential oil can be used for clearing sluggish and oily skin, as well as wound, burn and ulcer healing, and have value to treat eczema, repelling insects, shingles, cellulite, ringworm, bruises and engorgement of the breasts.

Shampoo

Geranium oil can also be diluted in shampoo to help with head lice.

Warnings and precautions when consuming Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium oil is not indicated to cause any side effects, since it is non-toxic, non-irritant and generally non-sensitizing, yet can cause sensitivity in some people. Due to the fact that it balances the hormonal system, it might not be a good idea to use in pregnancy.

Children under six years old can not consume this type of oil. In the case of adults, treatment by intake can not be extended for more than 3 weeks.

Besides, it is suggested to consume it in small amounts, since its safety when taken in larger quantities is not known.

Geranium oil can also cause eye irritation if applied to the face.

Side effects of Geranium Essential Oil

Because geranium oil is an astringent, it causes the blood vessels to constrict and slows down or stops the flow of blood. This can be a problem for people with high blood pressure and those at risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or atherosclerosis.

As mentioned earlier, geranium oil influences in hormonal secretions, so it is not recommended for use in pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding, since it is not yet clear if these changes of hormone secretion are transferred to maternal milk.

Geranium oil should not be used in infants and young children due to the delicate nature of their skin and the possibility of toxicity.

It is better to dilute the geranium oil with a carrier oil when applied directly to the skin. Try mixing geranium oil with coconut oil, jojoba or olive oil in equal parts.

Where to buy Geranium Essential Oil?

Normally, good quality oils, can be found in specialized natural herb stores. If you can not reach a trusted naturist or herbalist shop near you, here are some recommendations:

Geranium Essential Oil
Scent Characteristics: Fresh, sweet and floral, with slight fruit notes.

Our 100% Pure Essential Oils are extracted from the root, bark, wood, seed, fruit, leaf, or flower of a freshly harvested plant.
We source only the finest quality essential oils from highly regarded suppliers and distillers from around the world, many with whom we’ve worked with for decades.
Many of our oils are steam-distilled or cold-pressed, therefore retaining the essential odor, aroma, taste, medicinal, and therapeutic properties of the plant, resulting in a superior quality, and highly concentrated essence. Shop Here.

Tips for a better performance and duration of your oils:

Store them in a dark glass bottle, never plastic, not even when blended with a carrier oil.
Keep them in cool, dark places, away from sources of heat and light.
Maintain the container that holds it tightly closed, since they are very volatile and also, their properties would be lost or modified.