What is Rose Geranium Oil?
Rose geranium oil is one of the most valuable essential oils used in aromatherapy today, due to its powerful balancing and uplifting properties. It is often used in cosmetics because of its stabilising effects on the skin, and in perfumes it is used to imitate the smell of rose oil. Historically, the oil has been used in skincare remedies to treat burns, wounds, bone fractures and tumours. The ancients even believed that it could cure cancer. Whilst in native Africa, they drunk it in herbal tea in order to cure stomach upsets, and stop internal bleeding.
What is its origin?
Rose geranium (Pelargonium roseum) is grown commonly in South Africa, Egypt and Morocco and is extracted from the aromatic green part of the plant through steam distillation.
What does it smell like?
Its high geraniol content gives it a very refreshingly sweet and floral but strong fragrance similar to rose, hence the name (unlike geranium oil’s (Pelargonium graveolens) high citronellol content which gives it a more citrus-like scent).
What is it good for?
Rose geranium is good for those with sluggish oily/combination skin as it helps to clear, balance, tone and brighten the skin; regulating sebum production and acting as an astringent. It is also effective in treating aging skin, burns, wounds, ulcers and other skin problems. The oil stimulates the adrenal cortex and helps to balance and correct the nervous and hormonal systems. Thus, it helps women who are suffering from PMS and balances vaginal secretion and heavy periods. It lifts depression and relieves anxiety and stress. The oil is good for boosting the immune system and healing wounds and sores as it helps to stop bleeding and tissue degeneration. By stimulating the lymphatic system the oil helps to detoxify the body. Rose geranium is also a good diuretic, helping to produce urine and remove water from the body; thus, it is good for people suffering from gall stones and jaundice. The oil’s scent, like rose oil, can also be sensually arousing and so may be good for treating frigidity.
What are its particular benefits?
Rose geranium is one of the only essential oils that has the potency to both uplift and sedate. It is one of the best essential oils for an overall balancing effect on both body and mind, helping to promote overall wellbeing. Because of its regularising effects on the nervous and hormone systems it also one of the best oils, like rose oil, for women to use.
It is also one of the best essential oils to use for skincare.
Who is it not good for and what are the side effects?
Rose geranium 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 good for pregnant women.
How can it be applied?
Used in a vaporizer or a burner rose geranium oil can be used to help relieve stress, mild depression, PMS, anxiety and tension, menopausal problems and for general energizing.
Blended in a massage oil or diluted in the bath rose geranium oil can assist with PMS, depression, stress, anxiety and tension, fluid retention, edema, eczema, shingles, cellulite, bruises, ringworm, haemorrhoids and menstrual irregularities.
As a constituent in a blended cream or lotion, rose geranium oil can be used for clearing sluggish and oily skin, as well as wound, burn and ulcer healing and has value to treat eczema, repelling insects, shingles, cellulite, ringworm, bruises and engorgement of the breasts.
See also Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy Massage.