Geranium Essential Oil: 15 Remarkable Uses & Benefits of This Healing Oil

Flowers are pleasing to the senses in many ways, but did you know that some of them have a myriad of medicinal properties and uses? The geranium is among these flowers.

It's a perennial shrub that is native to South Africa and its essential oil contains geraniol, citronellol, and other ingredients that are believed to improve health.

The flower’s essential oil is made from the flower, its stems, and its leaves. The geranium flower is also known as the Pelargonium graveolens plant, and the process of making the oil starts with cutting the tops of the plants and allowing them to dry.

The oil is then extracted through steam distillation of the various parts of the plant.

*The companies chosen above are based upon my personal opinion based upon me giving them a try and testing their quality.

There are hundreds of species of geranium, but the Pelargonium plant is the species that is used to produce germanium essential oil. The two most popular species that are cultivated to produce Geranium essential oil are P.graveolens and P.xasperum.

Other types of geranium have long been used in herbal medicine, and there are a large number of hybrid germaniums, so it's important to know the differences in order to get the right product.

There’s another oil called rose geranium oil that’s very similar to geranium oil. They both have the same active components and can be used for the same purposes, but they have very distinctive scents, which is what differentiates them for some people.

They come from the same plant but are different varieties, and the botanical name of the rose geranium is Pelargonium graveolens var. Roseum.

The wide variety of geranium oils can cause confusion for some customers, so it's important to ensure that you’re purchasing the genuine article.

I’ve purchased the wrong product more than once but was able to figure out the differences after some trial and error. Check the label for the botanical name of the oil as well as other identifying information like the ingredients.

Geranium extract is also sold to treat aging issues and enhance health, but it's a different product and it’s taken from the root of the plant.

Some people purchase the extract when their real intent is to purchase the oil. The number of different products can cause mix-ups.

Geranium oil has many therapeutic properties that can improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. It's commonly used in aromatherapy or as a holistic treatment.

Geranium oil is gentle, safe, natural, and able to treat a wide variety of conditions.

The oil is thought to work in a number of ways, and the most well-known and effective are through inhalation or absorption through the skin.

These methods are believed to lead to interactions with the limbic and nervous systems. These systems relay message transmissions that can alter emotions and biological factors like stress levels.

Some of the most popular, everyday uses of geranium essential oil uses include: 

Germanium oil's been used for centuries to maintain a healthy and glowing complexion and was popular among the Egyptians, who were known to have radiant skin.

It's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective treatment for all types of skin conditions, and it can also be added to creams, lotions and body washes to improve skin condition.

I’ve used it in just about every skin-related product in my arsenal and in my shampoos and conditioners.

I’ve noticed the difference in my skin since using the oil and adding it to other products. It’s even gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Geranium oil can also hasten wound healing from minor cuts, burns, and abrasions of the skin.

The oil can be blended with various essential oils or topical substances to create mixtures for the treatment of many skin-related afflictions. 

The oils that are usually blended with geranium oil include coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed and olive. Collectively they're known as carrier oils.

Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils before application to the skin. They are called carrier oils because of their role in carrying the essential oil onto the skin during application.

Essential oils are diluted to make them safer because full strength applications of the oil may be too potent or toxic.

Skin conditions that can be improved by geranium oil include:

A few drops of rose geranium oil can be added to your facial moisturizer to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. 

Apply the mixture twice daily and differences in skin tone can occur in as little as two weeks. It tightens the facial skin and moisturizes dry, flaky skin for a more youthful, vibrant look.  

Many of us suffer from some form of mental strain at some point in life. Among the most common stress-related conditions are anxiety and depression.

Women in particular are more vulnerable to experiencing problems with these issues because of hormone fluctuations.

Geranium oil can alleviate and reduce symptoms of stress and stress-related conditions like anxiety and fatigue.

The oil works as a sedative to calm frazzled nerves and uplift your spirits. The pleasant smell of the oil also has a calming effect and leads to relaxation of the mind and body.

Both of the below blends are excellent for relaxation and tension relief. Mix all the ingredients together for use.

Sore muscles or minor aches and pains can be relieved by geranium oil blends being massaged into the achy areas.

I’ve tried a mixture of jojoba oil (1 tsp.) with about 5-6 drops of geranium oil, and it worked well to soothe my soreness after overdoing it at the gym. It also works well for muscle cramps. 

An inexpensive and sweet smelling perfume that also works well as a deodorant can be made by mixing geranium oil and water.

The oil has antibacterial properties, so it can work as a natural deodorant and perfume. Use about 1 Tbsp. of water for every drop of oil. 

Geranium oil can be used to treat digestive issues caused by bacterial or viral infections. The oil can also help with other related ailments like constipation, diarrhea, or food poisoning. 

Geranium oil is a natural insect repellant and a soothing balm for the itchiness and discomfort of an insect bite. It's frequently used as an ingredient in natural bug repellants. See this article. 

You can also use a mixture of geranium and water as a chemical-free bug repellant, and spray it all over your body. It works well for dogs as a tick repellant, but shouldn’t be used on cats. 

Aromatherapy has become very popular and is being used to treat a wide range of problems, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

 I use it in the form of a diffuser to help me relax and unwind before bedtime. See this article. You can also inhale the oil after placing a few drops on a tissue or cloth for a similar effect.

Studies done on postmenopausal women have proved its effectiveness in the improvement of many symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances.

This is explained in an article published in the Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences titled “Comparison of the Efficacy of Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy Massage with Geranium on Depression in Postmenopausal Women: A Clinical Trial.”

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are devastating illnesses that rob sufferers of precious memories and years.

Research has been conducted on the potential benefits of geranium oil's anti-neuroinflammatory effects on the diseases, and scientists have found evidence that it may be useful for prevention or treatment.

The results were published in a 2010 publication of The Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 2, Issue 1, in an article titled “Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Geranium Oil in Microglial Cells.” 

Scientific evidence published in 2013 detailed the effectiveness of geranium oil in treating respiratory infections such as acute rhinosinusitis or bronchitis.

It was also found that it can help with symptoms of the common cold and sinus infections. Methods for treatment include inhaling geranium oil twice daily or rubbing it under the nose and around the throat. 

Research studies have shown geranium oil's ability to relieve nerve pain in conditions like shingles, which is an ailment caused by the herpes virus. 

When applied full strength to the skin, the oil can significantly reduce pain in minutes. The ever popular mixture of coconut oil and geranium oil can be made to massage into the affected areas. 

Geranium oil has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it can be used to reduce inflammation that's associated with the majority of health conditions.

Researchers are studying the potential of geranium oil as an ingredient in preventative medicines, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. The oil is effective, safer than many pain medications, and has fewer side effects, according to a 2013 study. 

Geranium is called the “balancing oil” for good reason. Its ability to balance hormones is especially beneficial for women and the multitude of hormonal issues we have to deal with throughout our lives.

These problems include menstruation difficulties, menopause, and infertility issues. Geranium blends can be used to help the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, amenorrhea, and menopause. 

Geranium oil has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that are useful for protecting the body from external infections and at least 24 different kinds of fungi and bacteria. 

Mix a couple of drops of geranium oil with coconut oil and apply the mixture to the wound twice daily until it heals. This mixture also works well for things like the odiferous athletes foot, which many of our significant others may suffer from. 

Although the benefits of geranium oil are numerous and wide ranging, it's not for everyone and can cause side effects for some people.

A skin patch test is recommended before using the oil, and anyone who's taking medication or has health issues should consult their doctor before using it.

In addition, treatment regimens that require internal consumption should be closely monitored by a medical professional and limited to very small doses because certain quantities may have toxic effects.

We should take great care to avoid the area around the eyes when applying blends to the face. Geranium oil should not be used on babies, young children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women.

Anyone considering the use of geranium oil should be aware of it’s limitations in the treatment of medical conditions, particularly chronic health conditions.

Geranium oil has been used to treat medical conditions for centuries according to articles in various publications like the Aromatherapy Encyclopedia.

It's been used for conditions like arthritis, bone fractures, and hemorrhoids among many others. The many benefits of this amazing oil are still being researched by scientists.

P. graveolens was found to be extremely estrogenic according to a study of breast cancer survivors in 2018. This supports other evidence of it’s ability to balance hormones in conditions like perimenopause and similar conditions that cause a host of unpleasant symptoms.

The antibacterial effects of P. graveolens was studied in a 2012 project and discovered to be highly effective against all six strains that were analyzed. These findings were further supported by a study that was published in the Iranian Journal of Microbiology in 2012.

This study found that geranium essential oil may be able to destroy or suppress the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi.

P. graveolens could be a safe and effective treatment for diabetes, according to the results of a study performed on diabetic rats in 2012. 

The geranium performed significantly better than the anti-diabetic drug. Specifically, the geranium did a better job of decreasing blood sugar levels and restoring antioxidant levels. 

It seems everyone should have at least one bottle of geranium oil in their home considering it's many uses and beneficial properties. It's a very versatile oil that many people are unaware of.

There are no known contraindications with drugs, so it can be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Geranium essential oil is widely available and can be purchased online or at a physical location. Its carried by many health food and natural food stores.

When purchasing geranium oil, be sure to check the botanical name to guarantee you’re getting the right product. Don’t get confused by extracts versus oils, and make sure the oil is 100% pure, organic, and the appropriate grade.