Orientation:
Brianna, a second-generation aromatherapist, will tell you about today’s class. Please take the time to listen to her. Her mother has taught her about aromatherapy since she was 2.
Then, head over to the Ship’s Library to engage in self-study. Bring a drink, your laptop and any oils from this family you want to sniff. Get cozy and enjoy this small chapter.
A small Voki video about inflammation is on this page; remember to check it out. Laurie will talk about the geraniums in a short video at the end of the page. Here is a link to your Scent Impressions Sheet- https://www.northernstarcourses.com/lesson/f-the-scent-impressions-sheet/
You can download your journal at the end of the chapter.
The Geranium Family
Chinese or Egyptian Geranium
Pelargonium graveoloens x asperum
It may be a hybrid of P. capitatum.
Steam distilled leaves. Adulteration is common with citronellol, geraniol, and synthetic analogues.
From: China, Egypt
Class: monoterpenols (up to 68%), alcohol, ester, ketone
3 Key Constituents: in Chinese Geranium: Citronellol (33%), esters such as citronellyl/geranyl/linalyl formates (15-30%), and Geraniol (15-25%). (Benveniste & Azzo 1992a; Southwell & Stiff 1995)
Cosmetic: Sheppard-Hanger pg. 334 says geranium is useful for infectious dermatitis, acne, impetigo, and eczema and balances skin.
Muscular– Dilute geranium and massage it onto painful areas to address rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
Brain-Diffuse for nervous fatigue.
This oil has multiple uses, including anti-fungal properties.
Perfumery: Floral, light lemon tone; other types of geranium might have a sweeter, rosier scent—middle note: Mid-range odour intensity.
Blends with angelica, basil, bergamot, black pepper, carrot seed, cedarwood, citronella, clary, clove, frankincense, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli, orange, palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, and sandalwood.
Research:
Antibacterial Properties
Geranium oil demonstrated strong antibacterial effects against several pathogens, suggesting potential medical and preservative use. It could be helpful in antibacterial applications.
Citation: Ghannadi, A., Bagherinejad, M., Abedi, D., Jalali, M., Absalan, B., & Sadeghi, N. (2012). “Antibacterial activity and composition of essential oils from Pelargonium graveolens L’Her and Vitex agnus-castus L.” Iranian Journal of Microbiology, 4(4), 171-176.
Labour Anxiety Reduction
Inhalation of geranium essential oil significantly reduced anxiety during labour. This makes it beneficial for anxiety reduction in labour.
Citation: Fakari, F. R., Tabatabaeichehr, M., Kamali, H., Fakari, F. R., & Naseri, M. (2015). “Effect of Inhalation of Aroma of Geranium Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters during First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: a Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of Caring Sciences, 4(2), 135-141. DOI: 10.15171/jcs.2015.014.
Cautions: No internal use. There can be drug interactions when used orally. Please do not use it when pregnant. According to Tisserand pg. 293 about 2% of people have a skin sensitivity to geranium.
Could you record your impression of this oil in your Journal?
Rose Geranium
Pelargonium graveolens (P. capitatum x P. radens)
Bourbon-type oil originated in Reunion. Originally known as the Isle de Bourbon, and now La Reunion, it was France’s oil production centre until the 1870s.
It is now sold only in small quantities and is not generally available on the open market. Tisserand pg. 294
There are over 250 species of geranium, with thousands of varieties, so there needs to be clarity about which precise species they are derived from. There is a lot of cross-over.
Steam distilled leaves
From: France, Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar.
Class: alcohol, aldehydes (up to 10%), ester, ketone
3 Key Constituents: Aldehydes (neural, germinal, contronellal), Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool.(Benveniste & Azzo 1992a; Southwell & Stiff 1995)
My favourite use is diluted with milk in the bath. I find it uplifting and calming.
Cosmetic: Rose Geranium has so many applications for our bodies. It is very versatile and healing for the skin. Sheppard-Hanger, pg. 333, says it can be used for acne, burns, bruises, broken capillaries, balance oil gland secretion, dermatitis, fungus, ulcers, eczema, lice, ringworm, mosquito repellent, cellular regenerative, wound healing (after plastic surgery), and lymph drainage. It is an excellent regenerative and anti-inflammatory oil.
Add a drop to a glass of salt water and gargle for a sore throat, tonsils, and asthma. Purchon and Cantele pg. 61 say it eases pain by numbing nerves, which makes it excellent as a gargle for a sore throat and tonsillitis. Please remember to spit out; a few people will have lip inflammation because of contact dermatitis.
Lymph—Use as a massage oil for circulatory effects and to boost the immune system.
It can help hemorrhoids.
Endocrine—It may be helpful for adrenal, pancreatic, or glandular problems (Sheppard-Hanger, pg. 333). The oil appears to reduce insulin resistance at the cellular level in type-2 diabetes and regulates cortisol and DHEA levels in adrenal dysfunction. It also helps with hormonal balance, including menstrual cycles and peri-menopause. Because of this, some women find the oil pleasant at parts of their cycle and not so much at other times.
A study on the essential oils from Pelargonium graveolens leaves found that they possess anti-diabetic activity. The research aimed to determine the chemical constituents of the essential oil and evaluate its antidiabetic potential through α-glucosidase inhibition assays. This suggests a potential therapeutic application of geranium oil in managing diabetes (Koya University ARO). https://aro.koyauniversity.org/index.php/aro/article/view/791
Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Effects: Research has demonstrated that the essential oils of Pelargonium graveolens exhibit significant antioxidant properties. These oils are particularly effective in neutralizing free radicals and protecting against oxidative stress. Additionally, they have shown promising antidiabetic effects by inhibiting enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption. This suggests potential use in managing blood sugar levels https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/17/2226
Genito: Rose Geranium has a long history of aiding menopausal women and PMS. It can be used in a diffuser, in bath milk, or diluted with a carrier oil and made into a massage oil to combat pre-menopausal symptoms. Rose Geranium is also excellent in baths as it is a tonic and diuretic for the urinary system and helps rid the body of toxins (Purchon and Cantele, pg. 61).
Insecticidal: Purchon and Cantele-pg. 61 also say it is effective against dust mites and a fumigant against some species of termites and beetles.
Mind: Rose Geranium balances nervous tension and stress and is anti-depressing. Please choose your preferred way of using it for this purpose. It is emotionally deeply nurturing, stabilizing and calming, allowing for greater intimacy and vulnerability (Holmes 2016).
Recent research has shown that the natural scent of rose-scented geranium can positively affect stress reduction. This plant’s sensory and chemical analyses suggest that its odour properties might improve human well-being, especially in reducing stress (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/11/4511
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Geranium oil showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models comparable to diclofenac. This study suggests it is a promising natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Citation: Boukhatem, M. N., Kameli, A., Ferhat, M. A., Saidi, F., & Mekarnia, M. (2013). “Rose geranium essential oil as a new and safe anti-inflammatory drug source.” Libyan Journal of Medicine, 8(1), 22520. DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v8i0.22520.
Geranium Calms Inflammation- Video
Perfumery: Rosy tone, sweet, floral: Middle note: Odor intensity mid-range. It is sometimes used to extend rose in blends.
It blends with angelica, basil, bay, bergamot, carrot seed, cedarwood, citronella, clary sage, clove, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lime, neroli, nutmeg, oakmoss, orange, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, and sandalwood.
Cautions: Avoid in early pregnancy. No internal use. Taken orally, there are contraindications to some medications. About 2% of people may have a skin sensitivity.
Could you record your impression of this oil in your Journal?
Dust Mite Spray-
Purchon and Cantele- pg. 61
In a 60 ml bottle, combine 18 drops of geranium essential oil,
1 tsp. Vegetable glycerin and water.
Shake to blend. Spray carpets and bed linens to deter dust mites. (Eucalyptus globulus is also effective against dust mites.)
Zdravetz Bulgarian
Geranium
Geranium macrorrizhum
From: Bulgaria
Class: ketone
3 Key Constituents: Germacrone, Germacrene B, gamma-Curcumene (Radulovic et al 2010)
Steam distilled. It has been widely used in the past to adulterate Bulgarian Rose Otto. This was strictly discouraged when the USSR controlled the government.
Respiratory: Sheppard-Hanger pg. 229 mentions Zdravetz for genital infections with mucous discharge.
Perfumery Zdravetz is very sought after and regarded as an aphrodisiac.
Sheppard-Hanger pg. 229 The distilled oil becomes semi-crystalline at room temperature.
Cautions: Avoid during pregnancy and with children—no internal use.
Could you record your impression of this oil in your Journal?
The Geraniaceae Family Video
You can scroll down to the bottom of this page to collect your Practical Potions Journal pages on the Geranium Family under downloads.