Oilology: Geranium

Geranium, Pelargonium graveolens, is native to South Africa and is an adaptogen essential oil. This means it helps your body adapt to stress, fatigue and generally cope better. Arguably one of the most loved essential oils, geranium is our Oil Of The Week!

Geranium or Rose Geranium as it is sometimes called, has a sweet floral rose-like scent and is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the geranium plant via steam distillation. The plant is native to Southern and South Africa but is now grown all over the world and different varieties have even been bred.

Geranium Oil Benefits

An adaptogen oil, Rose Geranium's scent is calming and grounding. It can assist with:

• balancing hormones,
• easing symptoms of PMS
• calming emotions
• stress and anxiety, uplifting the mood

What to Do with Rose Geranium Oil

There are many ways to apply your oils. Some include:

• Dab on the neck or wrists
• Add to a diffuser or burner to enjoy the calming scent
• Add to bath water for a relaxing, unwinding bath.
• Add to massage oil blends. It promotes skin health while relieving tension and stress, the perfect combination!

Geranium in Skincare & Cosmetics

Geranium oil has been used since ancient Egyptian times to promote a youthful and radiant complexion as well as to uplift mood and emotions. Geranium is considered a beautifying oil and can be added to facial oil serums to give your skin a lovely glow (plus it smells amazing).

What does Geranium for Skin?

Geranium can help tighten pores and skin and promotes cellular regeneration, making it an effective anti-aging oil. It is also anti inflammatory. It is an ideal ingredient in creams and lotions, soaps, and other skincare products, not only for its lovely scent but also for its skin benefits.

Geranium is a deodoriser and can also help hide unpleasant scents as it is powerful. It is often used in deodorants for this purpose.

What about Geranium for Hair?

Geranium oil is also used in hair products to promote radiant and healthy looking hair. Add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner to reap the benefits.

Geraniums Other Uses

Geranium Scent

Geranium oil is often added to potpourri mixes to improve the scent and make existing scents last longer.

Geranium essential oil is unsurprisingly greatly valued in perfumery for its pretty floral scent. It is considered a high-end scent and can also be used to extend more expensive oils such as rose.

Geranium as an Insect Repellant

Geranium oil repels mosquitos, insects, especially ticks and fleas on dogs.

This is because one of the main chemicals found in geranium oil is citronellol, the key component of citronella which is a well-known insect repellent. Geranium is safe for dogs, but always dilute it in a little carrier oil so the scent isn't overpowering for your animals.

• Rub into their skin and fur to deter ticks and fleas.

Bonus: you will have a very nice smelling pooch!

Geranium as a Natural Flavourant

Geranium may be used as a botanical flavourant in gins and other alcoholic beverages.

Note: it is not recommended to ingest essential oils unless they are organic and/or food grade, and we ourselves do not recommend ingesting any of our oils. It is, however, up to the user's discretion at the end of the day.