Geranium oil is distilled from rose-scented pelargoniums (P.graveolens, P.odoratissimum, P.radens and P.capitatum). Unlike their cousins with their showy, colorful blooms, they have insignificant rose-pink or mauve flowers. Geraniums are native to South Africa.The plants are cultivated and distilled in the Reunion Islands (the superior Bourbon geranium oil), Egypt, Russia and to a lesser extent, China. The oil extracted from the leaves, stalks and flowers, is a greenish color with a strong, rosy perfume with a hint of mint. Research has shown the oil to have antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, fungicidal and diuretic properties.
Geranium oil is favored by aromatherapists as it is excellent for many types of skin problems. It is well known for it's balancing effect on the body by both it's mood elevating and stress reducing aroma. It is also added to massage oils to reduce the symptoms of PMS, like fluid retention and added to mouthwashes for gum infections and sore throats. The scent of this oil is helpful for meditation because while calming, it is not sedating.
Perfumers find the oil valuable as it is less expensive, is a good substitute for rose absolute, and also blends exceptionally well with other perfumed oils. The oil is excellent for soap making as it is unaffected by the soap's alkaline properties. It is also very popular for making homemade preparations.
Warning: Do not use on over sensitive skin and do not use during first 3 months of pregnancy.
Keeping a rose-geranium plant in the home is also worthwhile. Brushing the leaves lightly with your hand will release the oil and give a wonderful aroma. The flowers can be added to salads and the leaves shredded and used as flavoring in jellies and vinegars. When baking, coat the bottom of a pound cake pan with vegetable spray then spread the rose geranium leaves over the bottom, pour batter over them and bake the cake.
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Rose Geranium Skin Freshener
From RecipeGoldmine
This restores the acid layer in the skin that helps protect against bacteria.
1/4 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp rose geranium oil
Mix all ingredients. Keep in a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Apply over face and throat with a clean cotton pad.
Nail Growth Oil
From i-ERM
1/4 cup almond oil
2 tsp apricot kernel oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil
Mix the ingredients together and store in a dark colored bottle. To use, massage the base of your nails every day with this oil to encourage healthy growth. The oil can also be used as part of a manicure. Soak the nails for at least 10 minutes after you have thoroughly cleaned them.
Bruise Soother
From GreenChronical
3 drops geranium essential oil
2 tsps / 10ml sweet almond oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
Mix oils together and apply to affected area.
Facial Lotion for Dry and Mature Skin
From Suite101
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp calendula infusion oil
1 tsp sesame oil
6 drops sandalwood essential oil
4 drops neroli essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
Blend the carrier oils and the essential oils in a clean one-ounce amber glass bottle. Mix thoroughly. Label. Apply 4-6 drops on moistened skin. Use as needed.
Herbal Tick Repellent for Dogs
From Care2 Posted by Annie B. Bond
I tested the essential oil that is recommended for ticks, Rose Geranium, by putting a few drops—no more!—on our dogs’ collars, to see if it would repel ticks. Lo and behold, we went from 20 ticks a day on each dog to none. ~ Annie
2 tbsps vegetable or nut oil (almond oil contains sulfur, a repellent in its own right)
10 to 25 drops rose geranium essential oil
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; shake to blend.
Make: 2 tablespoons with a shelf life of about six months.
Rose Geranium Sugar
1 cup sugar
8 rose geranium leaves
Mix sugar and leaves together and store tightly covered for at least one week. Remove leaves when ready to use. A lovely sweetener for iced tea or your breakfast oatmeal.
Technorati Tags : geranium rose-geranium pelargonium essential+oils [tagname] skincare
From RecipeGoldmine
This restores the acid layer in the skin that helps protect against bacteria.
1/4 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp rose geranium oil
Mix all ingredients. Keep in a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Apply over face and throat with a clean cotton pad.
Nail Growth Oil
From i-ERM
1/4 cup almond oil
2 tsp apricot kernel oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil
Mix the ingredients together and store in a dark colored bottle. To use, massage the base of your nails every day with this oil to encourage healthy growth. The oil can also be used as part of a manicure. Soak the nails for at least 10 minutes after you have thoroughly cleaned them.
Bruise Soother
From GreenChronical
3 drops geranium essential oil
2 tsps / 10ml sweet almond oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
Mix oils together and apply to affected area.
Facial Lotion for Dry and Mature Skin
From Suite101
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp calendula infusion oil
1 tsp sesame oil
6 drops sandalwood essential oil
4 drops neroli essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
Blend the carrier oils and the essential oils in a clean one-ounce amber glass bottle. Mix thoroughly. Label. Apply 4-6 drops on moistened skin. Use as needed.
Herbal Tick Repellent for Dogs
From Care2 Posted by Annie B. Bond
I tested the essential oil that is recommended for ticks, Rose Geranium, by putting a few drops—no more!—on our dogs’ collars, to see if it would repel ticks. Lo and behold, we went from 20 ticks a day on each dog to none. ~ Annie
2 tbsps vegetable or nut oil (almond oil contains sulfur, a repellent in its own right)
10 to 25 drops rose geranium essential oil
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; shake to blend.
Make: 2 tablespoons with a shelf life of about six months.
NOTE: Don’t use these essential oils around cats.
Rose Geranium Sugar
1 cup sugar
8 rose geranium leaves
Mix sugar and leaves together and store tightly covered for at least one week. Remove leaves when ready to use. A lovely sweetener for iced tea or your breakfast oatmeal.
Technorati Tags : geranium rose-geranium pelargonium essential+oils [tagname] skincare
