Scented Geranium or Rose Geranium

Scented geranium, also called rose geranium (Pelargonium x asperum cv. Egypt), is a subshrub of the family of the Geraniaceae, native to Southern Africa.

Its long, green, three-lobed leaves with reddish veins are sharply cut and downy. The buds are pinkish; the small flowers, white and purple, have five petals, two of which are streaked with red. Few plants are as widespread and universally admired as the geranium, of which about a hundred species are cultivated, all of them fragrant but with very different scents, and from which we have the pleasure of picking leaves and flowers throughout the year.

Main aromatic molecules: Monoterpenols (citronnellol, geraniol), terpene esters (geranyl acetate + citronnellyl formate), monoterpenones, sesquiterpenols.
Family: Geraniaceae.
Producing organs: Leaves.
Yield: 100 to 250g of essential oil per 100kg of leaves.
Equivalence: 1ml → 31 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia)

Bath
Skin application
Oral route
Respiratory route

Main properties

Scented Geranium is a specialist in skin problems. It is also antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antimycotic and anti-inflammatory. It is used to firm up the skin, promote healing and treat acne, impetigo, eczema and other itches. It is also used to combat cellulite, water retention and excess weight. It is also an ally against intestinal and pulmonary infections. Finally, it repels mosquitoes, just like lemongrass.

Find all the virtues and uses of essential oils in our tips section.

Recipes

Anti-stretch marks
50 drops of essential oil of rose geranium, 150 ml of borage oil. Mix the oils and apply them on the zones confirmed with gentle massage.

Anti-ageing
Mix every evening 1 drop of essential oil of rose geranium with your dose night cream.

Slimming
10 drops of essential oil of rose geranium, 30 drops of macadamia plant oil. Massage the zones concerned with 5 drops of the mixture, once to twice daily.

Mycoses
2 drops of essential oil of rose geranium, 20 drops of sweet almond plant oil. Apply by massaging the zone concerned.

Its long green three-lobed leaves with reddish veins are highly indented and velvety. The buds are pinkish; the small flowers white or purple, with five petals of which two have red striations. Few plants are so widespread and universally admired as geraniums, of which there are about a hundred species, all scented but with very diverse scents, that are a pleasure to harvest leaves and flowers throughout the year. Geraniums are named in the countryside Herb Robert, fourchette du diable or cranesbill. This last name alludes to the shape of its fruit which resembles a tapered beak, thus the scientific names: pelargonium derives from the Greek pelargos (stork) and geranium from geranos (crane). The wild form existed in Antiquity, but it was only cultivated from its arrival in Europe at the end of the 17th century. It was first implanted in Bourbon island, nowadays Reunion island. Geranium was used in the past as a medicinal plant to treat ophthalmia, excessive milk production, swelling of the throat due to tonsil inflammation and the violent sore throat referred to as tonsillitis. Scented geraniums are found in some famous perfumes: "Jazz" by Yves Saint Laurent, "Brut" by Fabergé, "Caleche" by Hermès and "Egoiste" by Chanel.