The sweet, fresh floral scent of geranium oil with its fruity and minty overtones makes it a fragrant addition to massage and bathing blends. It combines well with many oils, especially complementing the scents of lavender, bergamot, neroli, rose and sandalwood. The essential oil is distilled from the leaves and stems of the geranium plant which are harvested just before flowering to gain oil of maximum potency.
Versatile treatments
Geranium is a valuable oil for treating depression, anxiety and frustration. Its uplifting action helps to dispel fears, feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. The regulating action of geranium also helps to ease menstrual problems.
A valuable beauty aid, it balances sebum secretions, enabling its use on both dry and oily skins. Add this versatile oil to facial treatments and products to promote radiant skin.
Active Ingredients of Geranium Oil
Geranium oil contains more than 250 different molecules belonging to many chemical families. Its dual balancing actions are due to its high content of stimulating alcohols and relaxing esters. Geranium is often described as an adaptogen, able to act as both a sedative or stimulant. Its balanced chemistry results in its regulating effect on hormonal systems and it acts on the adrenal cortex to balance the nervous system.
Alcohols
Geraniol, citronellol and linalool are the alcohols that make up more than 50% of the oil. These have antiseptic, healing properties.
Esters
Cooling, soothing esters make up 30% of geranium oil.
Uses of Geranium Oil
Allow the wonderfully powerful effects of geranium to truly indulge, pamper and heal your mind, body and spirit.
Harmonising Geranium
Geranium is a very motherly oil - it can bring both comfort and cheer in different conditions. Benefit from the harmonising effects of geranium to achieve emotional balance in all areas of your life.
Use geranium in a room vaporiser at work or home to dispel feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. If you are not permitted to use a vaporiser in the office, take in an atomiser containing a geranium blend to give yourself a spray when you need it.
Deal with panic attacks by adding a few drops of geranium to a handkerchief. Keep close at hand for times of need. You could also add a geranium blend to a roller to apply to your pulse points.
Soothe restlessness and anxiety with a relaxing body massage, diluting geranium in a carrier oil.
Monthly Cycle
Geranium's regulating effect on the hormonal system makes it a useful comforting oil for women of all ages.
For relief from painful periods soak in a warm, milk bath, adding 6-8 drops each of geranium and chamomile oils.
Combat the trying symptoms of pre-menstrual tension by blending 2 drops each of geranium, clary sage, sandalwood and lavender oils. Dilute in 30ml sweet almond oil and massage into the lower back, solar plexus, upper thighs and buttocks.
Help to dispel the discomfort of menopausal hot flushes by adding a few drops each of geranium and lemon oils to a morning bath.
Fragrant Beauty Care
Give skin a radiant glow by adding geranium to a daily skincare regime.
Treat oily, blemished skin to an aromatherapy face rinse. After washing add 2-3 drops of geranium oil to a bowl of water and gently splash the face.
Nourish and firm mature skin with with a weekly facial massage. Blend 2-3 drops of geranium and lavender with 25ml of wheatgerm oil. Massage using gentle circular movements - avoiding the eyes.
Deep cleanse dry skin with a facial mask.
Make a paste of oatmeal and water and add a teaspoon of melted honey and 4-5 drops of geranium oil.
Folklore of Geranium
The rosy scent of geranium oil was first distilled in France in the 19th century, but the plant had been in use as a protective herb for much longer.
Garlands of geranium were hung around cottages to protect the inhabitants. The herb was thought to ward off evil spirits.
In the language of flowers, there was a Victorian custom that involved using combinations of flowers to send secret love messages and different varieties of geranium had different meanings. Oak-leafed geranium, for example, meant true friendship and lemon-scented geranium was thought to predict an unexpected meeting.
The leaves of geranium were popular among ladies in Victorian times for making naturally-scented bookmarks.
Growing geranium in the garden was though to benefit both the owners of the property and the neighbouring plants. A 'friend to nature', geranium brings joy, happiness and healing to all around it.