Health Benefits Of Geranium Essential Oil

The health benefits of geranium essential oil range from promoting beautiful and radiant skin to alleviating anxiety, treating acne flare-ups, balancing hormones and reducing inflammation.

Geranium oil is extracted through steam distillation of the leaves and stems of the Geranium plant. The main components of the oil include Citronellol, Alpha Pinene, Menthone, Myrcene, Geranyl Butyrate, Geranyl Acetate, and Linalool. It is these ingredients that give the oil its characteristic properties.

Geranium oil also contains a high concentration of flavonoids, which are known for their potent anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant and other beneficial actions.

The many health benefits of geranium essential oil along with its refreshing rose-like perfume make this a very popular component in aromatherapy to promote emotional wellness and reduce fatigue. In addition to balancing hormones, it also helps to relieve stress and depression, soothe inflammation, lower blood pressure and alleviate painful menopausal cramps.

Geranium essential oil benefits also include promotion of cell growth, scar healing, and tightening of the gums.

History & Origins of Geranium Essential Oil

The earliest mention of geranium oil goes way back a few centuries. Some records show that the Egyptians use geranium extracts to improve the structure and texture of their skin. They also used it to treat several different ailments ranging from skin diseases to cancerous tumors.

The geranium plant was introduced to Europe during the Victorian era. It became popular with the Victorian ladies very quickly and not just for its outstanding skin-enhancing properties.

The edible leaves and flowers of the geranium plant were used extensively to flavor and garnish teas, jellies, desserts and other sweet treats.  The leaves, colorful flowers and sometimes the entire potted plants were often used as a table setting décor.

French chemist Recluz is credited with the first successful distillation of geranium oil sometime in 1819. Other researchers subsequently started taking an interest in the extraction and properties of geranium oil. These extensive investigations resulted in several interesting findings, from the medicinal and health benefits of geranium essential oil for the skin and emotional well-being to the best variety of the plant to distill the oil from.

12 Outstanding Geranium Essential Oil Benefits

Take a look at 12 of the many benefits of geranium essential oil.

#1 Excellent Anti-inflammatory Agent

More often than not, pain in the body is caused by some sort of inflammation, either internal or external. Almost all health conditions from arthritis to heart diseases involve some sort of inflammation. Geranium oil has the ability to stave off potential inflammatory processes and soothe existing inflammation.

Geranium essential oil is especially beneficial for soothing inflammation of the respiratory tract and sore muscles and joints. You can get the anti-inflammatory benefits of geranium essential oil either by applying it topically to the inflamed area or by inhaling the vapors through a diffuser.

The oil has also been declared safe for consumption by the US FDA. Taking 1 drop of the oil mixed with a teaspoon of honey or almond milk helps fight inflammatory manifestations of several conditions of the skin and joints.

#2 Reduces Stress and Tension

Geranium oil’s calming aromas can help uplift your emotions and reduce the stress and tensions of a particularly rough day. Its floral, relaxing scent also makes it ideal for driving away anxiety, depression, fatigue, or even just an overly cluttered mind.

Put a few drops of geranium oil into your favorite diffuser, sit back and just inhale the aromas or brew a soothing cup of tea infused with geranium leaves to benefit from the plant’s powerful de-stressing properties.

#3 Promotes Skin Regeneration and Renewal

One of the lesser known Geranium essential oil benefits stems from its cytophylactic properties. The oil works to recycle dead cells and encourages the regeneration of new cells. This improves metabolism, helps in the growth of body cells and boosts cell health. It also speeds up the healing process of cuts, wounds, and surgical incisions.

By renewing blemished tissues geranium oil keeps wrinkles at bay and keeps your skin young and glowing. It also helps fade acne scars and lightens the appearance of dark spots.

Excellent for dry, sensitive and aging skin, geraniums many skin-renewing benefits have made it a favorite component of a wide range of skin moisturizers, tonics, and lotions.

To get the skin beautifying benefits of geranium essential oil add a drop or two to your daily moisturizer before applying. It won’t be long before you notice your skin looking and feeling healthier.

Put a few drops of geranium oil in a diffuser or vaporizer and inhale the aromas to take advantage of its strong cytophylactic property.

#4 Powerful Antiseptic Agent that Speeds Up Healing of Cuts & Wounds

If left unattended, open wounds, cuts and scrapes tend to get infected. The antiseptic properties of geranium come in useful as a first-aid application that speeds up healing of open wounds without the risk of infection. Its antiseptic action wards off any germs and fungi that can lead to complications at the site of the wound or incision.

Geranium essential oil works two ways to heal wounds – first by its ability to stop the bleeding and second by supporting tissue regeneration. When applied immediately to an open wound, cut or bruise, it helps the blood to clot faster so that stops the bleeding. This helps the wound heal faster and protects open wounds from invading bacteria that cause infections.

To benefit from geranium oil’s antiseptic properties, simply dab a drop or two of the oil onto the affected area and cover with a sterile gauze bandage. It can be applied as is or as a salve or ointment in combination with other healing oils such as lavender or eucalyptus.

#5 Gentle but Effective Sedative

Geranium essential oil is known to calm the nervous system, which helps promote feelings of relaxation and sleep.

• There are three ways to get the benefits of geranium essential oil for sleep.
• The first is by rubbing a drop of oil between your hands and inhaling the aromas.
• The second is by putting 1 to 2 drops of the oil on your pillow before laying down to sleep.
• The third is by diffusing the oil throughout your bedroom. If you are traveling or on the road, use a travel diffuser.

All three ways will help you sleep easier and also enhance sleep quality.

# 6 Powerful Astringent Properties

Astringents are compounds that induce contractions and shrink body tissue. They are widely used for wide range of purposes including tightening the skin and contracting muscles, tissues, and intestines. They are also used to get rid of acne and soothe bug bites.

Geranium is a powerful astringent that works very well to tighten and contract skin tissues and to prevent facial muscles and skin from sagging. This significantly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and delays some of the more visible effects of premature aging.

It is also used to support and strengthen muscle, hair and even the intestines, protecting against loss of important bodily tissue.

Adding 2 drops of geranium essential oil to your daily facial moisturizer is an excellent way to tighten sagging facial skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. When applied twice the day, the results may be visible within just a couple of weeks.

#7 Excellent Muscle Toner 

Geranium oil’s astringent properties also work well to tighten and contract muscles, preventing muscles and skin from sagging and helping you achieve a more toned abdominal section.

To create your own DIY muscle toner, mix 5 drops of geranium essential oil with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. Massage the blend into your skin, focusing on the muscles that you want to tone.

#8 Helps Fight Infections

Antibacterial products protect against infections and diseases caused by – you guessed it – bacteria. This includes bacteria that invade the digestive, urinary and respiratory tract, as well as oral bacteria that can damage dental health and the skin.

When applied topically to cuts and wounds, it obstructs bacterial growth on the skin, preventing any potential infection of the cut or wound. For faster healing of wounds, gently apply 2 drops of the oil over the infected area and cover it with a gauze. Do this twice a day till the cut or wound is healed.

Geranium’s antibacterial activity does not impact the natural flora of the intestines and stomach. It only combats the invading bacteria that cause all kinds of internal damage. In doing so, Geranium essential oil gives the immune system a powerful boost that allows the body’s defensive cells to focus on monitoring and overpowering challenges and threats existing within the body, instead of being distracted by external toxins on the skin.

#9 Helps Treat Skin Diseases

The tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of geranium oil are put to good use in the treatment of skin conditions such as acne and dermatitis. When applied topically, its anti-inflammatory action helps stave off the skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, pimples, and psoriasis, while its antibacterial property hinders prevent bacterial growth that leads to acne and its tissue regeneration property promote the growth of new, healthy cells.

To get the benefits of geranium oil for better skin health, add 1 -2 drops to your everyday face wash.

To fight skin infection, mix 5-8 drops of geranium oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil or recommended carrier oil. Apply this blend to the affected areas at least twice a day.

#10 Soothes digestive problems

Stomach cramps and bloating always make for uncomfortable hours with your belly scrunched up. A warm cup of geranium tea brewed from the leaves or containing a drop of geranium oil can help soothe an upset stomach and get gas moving along. It can also help eliminate bacteria that could be causing the irritation and get stomach function back to normal.

#11 Helps Fight Fungal Problems

Fungi can infect you externally or internally and produce more fatalities than other types of infection. The nose, throat, and ears are most at risk for infection and if left untreated, the issue can spread to the brain.

Geranium essential oil fortifies the body’s natural defenses against fungi and the infections they cause, making this oil a superior combatant against foreign invaders.

Geranium essential oil is commonly used to treat vaginal candidiasis, jock itch and athlete’s foot, all of which are fungal infections.

To treat athlete’s foot, add 1-2 drops of the oil to a basin containing a solution of sea salt in warm water. Soak the infected foot in this warm bath twice daily for the best results.

To treat other fungal infections, add 5-10 drops of geranium oil to warm water and use this diluted solution to wash the affected areas. You can also add it to your warm bath and soak in the tub while enjoying its sweet, floral aroma.

#12 Induces Clotting of the Blood & Treats Hemorrhoids

Geranium oil has the ability to contract tissues and blood vessels, which stops blood flow. This accelerates the process of blood clotting, which helps wounds to heal faster and prevents toxins and bacteria from further entering the body through an open wound.

It is also beneficial for treating bleeding hemorrhoids. The oil can be ingested or applied topically to contract the swollen veins, shrink the distended tissue and stop the bleeding.

To benefit from the stypic properties of geranium oil, taking a drop of oil blended with a teaspoon of honey, stirred into 100 ml of any liquid or stirred or mixed with a teaspoon of flaxseeds or wheat germ.

To apply topically on bleeding cuts and hemorrhoids, blend 2drops of geranium oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil or cold cream and apply this gently over on the affected area.

Things to Keep in Mind when Using Geranium Essential Oil

While Geranium oil is non-toxic and considered safe for topical application, it may cause some kind of irritation such as itchiness, redness or rash if you have sensitive skin.

As with all essential oils, it is always a good idea to first do a patch test before applying liberally. To do this apply a small amount on your forearm and observe for any signs of irritation. If there is no reaction after a couple of hours, you are okay to go ahead.

Before applying directly to the skin, it is always a good idea to dilute geranium oil with a carrier oil such as olive, coconut or jojoba oil.

Dilute well before applying to young children. Best avoided for younger babies as their skin is more delicate and there is a higher possibility of toxicity issues.

Geranium oil is also safe to take internally as long as it is well-diluted using a ratio of about 1-2 drops of oil to 100 ml of liquid. The oil is commonly added to various foods such as candies, beverages, baked products, and dairy.

Never ingest the oil without first consulting your doctor. Even then, always stick to consuming it in smaller amounts as the safety of the oil in larger quantities is still not known.

The styptic property of the oil causes the blood vessels to contract and slows down or stops the flow of blood. This could pose a health problem for people with high pressure and those who are at risk for cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke or a heart attack.

Some studies indicate that essential oils may have some effect on hormone secretions. While it is still unclear as to whether or not these changes will transfer to breast milk, to avoid any potential problems, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using any type of essential oil including geranium.

It is also best to avoid using any essential if you have hypertension, epilepsy or other conditions. Talk to your healthcare practitioner for safety advice regarding its use if you have any other health conditions.

Geranium Essential Oil Application Tips

The many benefits of Geranium essential oil can be obtained in a variety of ways. Here are a few tips for using this sweet-scented oil.

• Dilute the oil with a carrier oil. Dab this diluted blend on your pulse points for a refreshing, mood-boosting fragrance throughout the day. The sweet Geranium aroma also helps lower stress and tension.
• Add a drop to your everyday facial moisturizer to reduce wrinkles, regulate oil production and give your skin a more youthful appearance.
• Adding a few drops of geranium essential oil into your aromatherapy skin facial promotes the skin’s regenerative properties.
• Scatter a few geranium-scented cotton balls in your closet to give your closet a lovely, feminine fragrance.
• For an aromatic tub soak, mix about 10 drops into a tub with warm bath water. Add in some rose petals for that extra-goddess effect!

To get the health benefits of Geranium essential oil, it can be applied topically, inhaled or diffused. It has also been approved for internal consumption by the FDA. The method you choose will depend on the results you hope to achieve. For best results and to avoid contact sensitization, it is best to rotate its use with other oils.

Make Your Own DIY Geranium Oil

It is surprisingly easy to make your own geranium essential oil.

• Wash and thoroughly dry geranium leaves. The number of leaves you use depends on how strong you want the fragrance to be. Using more leaves will give you a more intense aroma.
• Grind the leaves thoroughly using a mortar and pestle.
• When leaves are completely ground, let it sit for a few hours.
• Add a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil to the crushed leaves.
• Cover the mixture and let it steep for two weeks.
• After about 10-14 days, you will start to get the distinctive scent of your new oil.
• Drain the excess leaves and store the oil in an air-tight container.

Add this DIY geranium oil to your shampoo or conditioner. You can even mix it into your body soap or lotion.

The uplifting, refreshing fragrance of geranium oil can be complemented by other oils such as lavender, jasmine, ylang-ylang, clove, chamomile, clary sage, grapefruit bergamot, frankincense, and rosemary.

A go-to for the fragrance industry over the course of millennia, the benefits of geranium essential oil range are diverse. The soothing aroma of geranium along with its strong anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial, astringent, antifungal, antiseptic, stimulating and detoxifying properties make it a superb relaxant and skin supporting agent.

Studies are still on to explore even more geranium oil benefits.

Have you used geranium essential oil for any application? It would be fun to learn some of the more unusual benefits of geranium oil so let us know in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your physician before using essential oils. See Full Disclaimer here.