Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil is derived by steam distillation of the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens, a plant species native to South Africa. According to folklore, it was used for a wide range of health conditions.
Geranium oil is grown in many regions, including Europe and Asia. There are many varieties and strains of the pink flower with a fresh, floral fragrance. Each variety differs in scent, but is near-identical in terms of composition, benefits, and uses.
It�s thought to have
Antioxidant,
AntiBacterial,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antimicrobial, and
Astringent properties.
Geranium oil may be beneficial for the following conditions:
Acne,
Dermatitis, and inflammatory
Skin conditions
A 2017 review of studiesTrusted Source on geranium essential oil indicated that its
AntiBacterial,
Antimicrobial, and anti
Septic properties make it beneficial for reducing
Acne breakouts,
Skin irritation, and
Skin Infections when applied topically.
Geranium essential oil�s
Anti-inflammatory properties also make it beneficial for a number of inflammatory conditions, including those affecting
Skin.
One study Trusted Source found that geranium essential oil shows promise as a potential
Anti-inflammatory medication with few side effects.
Edema
An animal study Trusted Source indicated that geranium essential oil�s
Anti-inflammatory qualities may make it beneficial for leg and foot
Swelling caused by
Edema.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that adding geranium essential oil to bath water may be a good way to treat this condition. More research is needed to investigate the effects of geranium essential oil on
Edema.
Nasal vestibulitis is an uncomfortable condition associated with
Cancer drug treatment.
A small observational study and anecdotal evidence suggests geranium essential oil may ease nasal symptoms caused by this condition, such as
Bleeding, scabbing,
Pain, dryness, and
Sores.
For the study, geranium essential oil was mixed with sesame oil and used as a nasal spray in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast
Cancer.
Infection
Multiple studies suggest geranium essential oil may fight off
Bacterial
Infections. Geranium essential oil has
Antimicrobial and
AntiBacterial properties, making it effective against multiple
Bacterial strains.
One study Trusted Source found that geranium essential oil was about as effective as amoxicillin at fighting
Bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The same study found that it was not effective at fighting Listeria monocytogenes, a different
Bacterial strain.
Neurodegenerative disease
Certain neurodegenerative diseases like
Alzheimer�s disease,
Multiple Sclerosis,
Parkinson�s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are associated with varying degrees of neuro
Inflammation.
A study found that high
Concentrations of citronellol, a component of geranium essential oil, inhibited nitric oxide production, reducing
Inflammation and cell death in the brain.
According to researchers, geranium essential oil might have benefits for people with neurodegenerative diseases that include neuro
Inflammation.
Menopause and peri
Menopause
A study Trusted Source found that
Aromatherapy with geranium essential oil was beneficial at stimulating secretion of salivary
Estrogen.
Researchers theorized that geranium essential oil might be of value for women experiencing reduced
Estrogen and health-related symptoms caused by
Menopause and peri
Menopause.
Stress,
Anxiety, and
Depression
Aromatherapy is becoming more and more mainstream, even in hospital settings. A randomized, clinical trialTrusted Source of women in labor for the first time found that inhaled geranium essential oil had a calming effect and was able to reduce the
Anxiety associated with first-stage labor.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests geranium essential oil may promote
Relaxation and alleviate depressive mood. One animal studyTrusted Source on mice analyzed the calming, antidepressive effects of the Reunion geranium (Pelargonium roseum willd) essential oil strain, and found it to be effective for reducing
Stress.
Shingles Pain
Shingles often result in postherpetic
Neuralgia, a very
Painful condition affecting the
Nerve fibers and
Skin that run along a
Nerve.
One study found that topical application of geranium oil significantly reduced postherpetic
Neuralgia Pain within minutes of application. These effects were temporary, and required reapplication as needed.
Allergies
According to one preliminary studyTrusted Source, geranium essential oil�s citronellol content makes it potentially effective for reducing allergic reactions. However, more study is needed.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that topical use may reduce itching caused by allergic reactions. This is because of the
Anti-inflammatory action of this essential oil.
Wound care
Anecdotal evidence suggests that geranium essential oil may be beneficial for stopping minor
Wounds from
Bleeding. It may do this by speeding up coagulation, and by causing
Blood vessels to contract. It�s
AntiBacterial and anti
Septic properties are also beneficial for healing.
Diabetes
Geranium essential oil has long been used in Tunisia as a folk remedy treatment to reduce hyperglycemia.
An animal study Trusted Source found that daily, oral administration significantly reduced glucose levels in rats. Researchers suggested that geranium essential oil may be beneficial for alleviating high
Blood Sugar in people with
Diabetes, but also indicated that further study is needed.
Humans should not consume geranium essential oil. Research in humans is still needed, but
Aromatherapy added to a
Diffuser or applied topically might have the same effect.
Geranium oil side effects
When used correctly, geranium oil is considered safe for most people to use. Some people may experience a
Rash or burning sensation when using it on the
Skin. Never use any essential oil on
Skin unless it�s diluted with a carrier oil.
Small amounts of geranium oil are sometimes added to baked goods, and it is fine to ingest small quantities. The effects of ingesting large quantities of geranium oil are not known.
https://www.healthline.com/health/geranium-oil