Geranium Essential OilBotanical Nomenclature: Pelargonium graveolens Geranium essential oil has been the target of more friendly disagreements among aromatherapists than just about any other oil. Given that there are well over 200 species of geranium and thousands of hybrids and cultivars being grown around the world, it's not surprising that even professional aromatherapists can't always agree on which species is the "true" geranium. But today, more and more are leaning toward the essential oil distilled from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens. This essential oil is most frequently referred to as "bourbon" geranium oil. Characteristics of Geranium Essential OilBourbon geranium oil should be pale green and much lighter in color than other geraniums. Freshly-distilled bourbon geranium often has a bracing top note that will resolve nicely as the oil ages. Then, the oil settles into a herbaceous, slightly "flowery" scent.Psychological AromatherapyIn psychological aromatherapy, bourbon geranium is immensely important as a "woman's" oil. It is believed to be an effective PMS remedy and is often diffused to ease tension, relieve irritability and erase frustration stemming from or worsened by fluctuating hormones.Traditional Uses for Geranium OilAs previously noted, today's geranium is very different from the geraniums of years past. But the various geraniums have been used throughout the centuries to detoxify the body, treat bumps and bruises, and ease skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.Author Salvatore Battaglia assigns the following actions to geranium essential oil:
Scientific Studies on Geranium OilAnti-Microbial ActivitiesA number of studies have suggested that bourbon geranium oil may have strong anti-microbial actions but a 2007 article from Italy took this idea even further. This study, which looked at the results of combining various essential oils with the antibiotic Norfloxacin found that P. graveolens worked so well that the effective minimum dose of the antibiotic could actually be reduced without sacrificing efficacy. Tick Repellent A 2006 Swedish study comparing various essential oils to a standard tick repellent found that a 30% dilution of geranium oil gave 100% repellency against the hard-bodied tick locals call the sheep tick. Anti-Fungal Properties Using essential oils to treat fungal infections is nothing new but a 2004 study found that when bourbon geranium was combined with a standard pharmaceutical drug for fungal infections, the resulting "synergy" allowed researchers to significantly reduce the need for the drug. Safety IssuesGeranium essential oil has not been extensively studied for safety in humans but most aromatherapy texts claim that this oil is non-toxic and non-sensitizing. A 2005 study of various essential oils seems to suggest that this is true.References: Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Rosato, A., et al. (2007). Antibacterial effect of some essential oils administered alone or in combination with Norfloxacin. Jaenson, T., et al. (2006). Repellency of oils of lemon eucalyptus, geranium, and lavender and the mosquito repellent MyggA natural to Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the laboratory and field. Shin, S., et al. (2004). Antifungal effects of herbal essential oils alone and in combination with ketoconazole against Trichophyton spp. Lalko, J., et al. (2005). Investigation of the dermal sensitization potential of various essential oils in the local lymph node assay. Leave Geranium Essential Oil & return to Essential Oils Directory
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