PELARGONIUM ODORATISSIMUM
If you enjoy natural skin care products, you may have seen geranium listed on some you’ve tried. This is because it has several properties that benefit dry, itchy, aging skin. And geranium essential oil offers gentle, hormone-balancing benefits for women who want relief from PMS and menopause symptoms. One of geranium’s constituents, geraniol, is a top ingredient in many natural insect repellents; if you’d like to make your own bug spray, geranium is an excellent addition.
Precautions
Geranium can reduce blood sugar; it is not recommended for diabetics.
Do not use during pregnancy.
Application Methods
INHALATION: Mixed into 1 cup of rosewater, a few drops of geranium essential oil can create a romantic atmosphere. In an essential oil inhaler or aromatherapy jewelry, its scent is both uplifting and refreshing. If adding geranium to a diffuser, use the number of drops recommended by the diffuser’s manufacturer.
TOPICAL: Try adding 6 to 8 drops of geranium essential oil to 1 teaspoon of your favorite carrier oil for a quick, nourishing massage oil that works wonders for dry skin.
BATH: Feeling stressed? Try creating a blend with geranium, Roman chamomile, and lavender to add to your bath and body products. These oils go very well together; try different proportions of each to find a scent that appeals to you.
Popular Uses
Because geranium essential oil nourishes and heals skin, it’s found in a variety of facial, bath, and body products. Classic recipes call for the addition of rose essential oil, too. If you’d like to experiment with this combination and maintain your budget, look for prediluted rose essential oil, which is available at different concentrations. Some companies offer pure rose essential oil in sample sizes, too.
All hair types benefit from geranium essential oil. You can make your own shampoo and conditioner with unscented bases, or you can mix 15 drops of geranium essential oil with ½ cup of water for a quick leave-in spray.
While geranium is classified as a floral essential oil, its aroma has a crisp, green edge that makes it fantastic for freshening air. Alone or blended with a citrus oil such as lemon or grapefruit, geranium helps your home smell fantastic, while providing some stress-relieving aromatherapy benefits.
BLENDS WELL WITH
Atlas cedar
Bergamot
Carrot seed
Cedarwood
Clary sage
Cucumber seed
German chamomile
Grapefruit
Helichrysum
Jasmine
Juniper berry
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Lime
Melissa
Roman chamomile
Rosemary
SUBSTITUTE WITH
Rose geranium
HEALING PROPERTIES
Antiseptic
Astringent
Cicatrizant
Cytophylactic
Diuretic
Deodorant
Hemostatic
Styptic
Tonic
Vermifuge
Vulnerary
IDEAL FOR TREATING
Aging skin
Anxiety
Combination skin
Dry skin
Eczema
Menopause symptoms
Mild postnatal depression
Mood swings
PMS symptoms
Shingles
Stress