Pelargonium graveolens steam distilled from the leaves, stalks, and flowers in Egypt.

Aroma: This geranium has a powerful green, leafy-rose-like top note, with a pronounced fruity-minty undertone and a rich, tenacious sweet-rosy dry out.

Geranium can lend a soft rosy note that does not dominate blends that contain bergamot, clove, lavender, lime, patchouli, sandalwood, juniper berry, jasmine and rose. It is one of the most important and irreplaceable oils in perfumery and therefore often adulterated.

History: The plants originated from South Africa as well as Reunion, Madagascar, Egypt and Morocco. They were introduced to European countries such as Italy, Spain and France in the 17th century. In native Africa the herb tea was drunk to cure stomach upsets and stop internal bleeding. Throughout the centuries people have cultivated the plants around their homes to keep evil spirits at bay, perhaps because on the material plane, it keeps bugs away.

Common Uses: The therapeutic properties of Geranium Bourbon oil include the following as an astringent, hemostatic, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, tonic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic and as an anti-infectious agent.

Possible Uses: Acne, cellulitis, dull skin, lice, menopause, oily skin. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 57-65.]

Hormone balancing, it synergizes well with rose. - TTF

Colour: Pale yellow-green to blue-green

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Medium

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium-strong

Cautions: Non-toxic, non-irritant and generally non-sensitizing, though it can cause sensitivity in some people and due to the fact that it balances the hormonal system, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Photo thanks to SAplants, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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