Geranium essential oil: healing properties and application

Essential oil is widely used in various spheres of life, among its various types one of the most valuable is geranium oil (pelargonium).

This product can be purchased at the store or make yourself. Today you will learn how to apply it correctly and for what.

History reference

The beneficial properties of geranium oil were discovered long ago. Even in ancient Greece it was used to treat various diseases. The plant was brought to Europe in the 16th-17th centuries, and scientists from France were able to obtain oil from it in 1891.

Did you know? European residents bred geranium, because they thought that it scares evil spirits.
The remedy was especially popular with ethnic communities in southern Africa (Hottentots and Zulus), who treated them for cough, dysentery, gastritis, tuberculosis, and respiratory problems. There is documented evidence that in 1897 a resident of Great Britain, Charles Stevens, was cured by a South African folk healer for tuberculosis with an extract of geranium oil. Inspired by these results, Adrian Seche, a doctor from Switzerland at the beginning of the 20th century. I was able to cure about 800 patients, using the "Stevens remedy", which he began to sell in England. Today, the industrial production of geranium extract has been established in France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Reunion, Russia, India, China. The largest producer of funds is Egypt, more than 2/3 of the world's total product is produced here.

Chemical composition

The quantitative composition of oil from different types of geranium is slightly different, consider the example of the Egyptian species.

The chemical composition of the oil from Egyptian Geranium

Items %
Citronellol32,10
Geraniol19,70
Linalool9,90
Citronellyll formate7,43
Isomentone6,05
10-epi-gamma eudesmol4,62
Geranyl formate3,89
Citronellane propionate2,10
Geranyl butyrate1,72
Geranyl propionate1,69
Geranyl Tiglat1,44
Cis-rose oxide1,04
Menton0,78
Alpha pinen0,45
Trans-rose oxide0,40
Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons0,10
Monoterpenyl esters0,05
Isogeraniol0,01
Nerylformate0,01
2-phenylethylpropionate0,01
Geranyl isobutyrate0,01
Geranyl 2-methylbutyrate 0.010,01
Citronellyl 3-methylbutyrate0,01
Geranyl 3-methylbutyrate0,01
Citronellyll tiglate0,01
2-phenylethyl tiglate0,01
Isomenthol0,01
Menthol0,01
Beta pinen0,01
Para-Cymen0,01
Limonen0,01
Beta flandren0,01
(E) -beta-oxymat0,01
Citroncell acetate0,01
Geranyl acetate0,01
Beta Karyofillen0,01
Alpha gumulene0,01
Furopelargonic Acetate0,01

The main elements of Pelargonium oil are citronellol and geraniol, it is they who largely determine the effect of its use.

Important! Some unscrupulous manufacturers use Pelargonium extract to produce fake rose oil.

Therapeutic properties

Means possesses such useful properties:

  1. Antidepressant. The Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research in 2014 published the results of a study of Babu Banarasi Das University in mice in India, which resulted in an antidepressant-like effect.
  2. Anti-inflammatory. The University of Saad Daleb de Blid in Algeria in 2013 published in the journal Libyan J Med the results of studies on which the effect of the use of geranium oil for the treatment of edema can be compared with the effect that arises from anti-inflammatory drugs.
  3. Antineoplastic. In January 2018, the journal "Oncol Rep" published research data at the First Hospital at Dalian Medical University in China, confirming this.
  4. Antibacterial. The tool is effective in combating streptococcus, enterococcus, staphylococcus.
  5. Antifungal. Helps in the fight against fungi of the genus Candida, Tinea, and others.
  6. Antiviral. There is evidence of a positive effect when used against HSV1, HSV2, shingles.
  7. Painkillers The tool relieves spasm, eliminates neuralgic and musculoskeletal pain, acts as an antioxidant.
  8. Soothing, relaxing - for most people, it soothes the nervous system, although there are cases of stimulating effects.
  9. Lowers blood sugar - when taken orally.
  10. Eliminates gynecological problems in women, eases the condition in PMS and menopause, regulates the level of estrogen.
  11. Hemostatic. The tool promotes the healing of minor wounds, bites, ulcers, stimulates the circulation of lymph.
  12. Tonic for liver and pancreas.
  13. Cosmetology. It is successfully used in cosmetology for the treatment of inflammation on the skin, cellulite, scars, pigment spots, narrowing of the pores and eliminating oily skin, rejuvenation. There is a positive effect in the treatment of psoriasis, acne, warts, urticaria, lice.
  14. Acts like an afrodosiak.
  15. It has a slight diuretic effect.
  16. Scares off mosquitoes and mosquitoes.

Contraindications and precautions

Until now, the toxic effect of the agent has not been detected. However, hypersensitivity reactions are possible, especially in people with dermatitis, but this risk is very low.

Important! To avoid allergic reactions, it is recommended not to exceed a concentration of geranium oil at the level of 1.5%. Before first use, apply 1 drop of the product diluted in 4 drops of vegetable oil on the skin and wait 0.5 hour.
It is not recommended to combine the use of the drug with antidiabetic drugs and drugs with cyclophosphamide due to the enhanced effect. It is necessary to avoid using the product during pregnancy, taking birth control pills, estrogen-dependent forms of cancer, and children.

Application

Geranium extract is used in:

  • cosmetology;
  • traditional medicine;
  • aromatherapy;
  • against insects;
  • in manual therapy.

In cosmetology

Beauticians treat with this tool problems with hair, skin of the face and body.

Read more about the beneficial properties of the essential oil of pine and lavender.

For face

Benefits of the face extract:

  1. When acne - dissolve 2 drops of geranium oil, 1 drop of clove and 1 drop of chamomile in 10 ml of low-fat cream. Apply every night, remove excess with a napkin.
  2. For dry and mature skin - dissolve 4 drops of the product in 15 ml of olive oil, apply every evening.
  3. From inflammations - Dissolve 1 drop of extract of pelargonium, the same amount of cedar extract and 2 drops of lavender extract in 0.5 l of hot water. Bend over so that hot steam does not burn your face, cover your head with a thick cloth, breathe calmly for 10 minutes. Use once a day.
  4. For oily skin - Mix 10 ml of ethyl alcohol, 3 drops of extracts of pelargonium, orange, chamomile, add 80 ml of distilled water, pour into a dark glass container. Apply every night without washing.
  5. From wrinkles - mix 5 drops of extracts of pelargonium and lavender, add 10 drops of rose and frankincense oil, apply on cleansed face before going to bed.

For hair

Apply 5 drops of geranium oil on your finger tips and massage your scalp before washing it. This will strengthen the hair roots, help relieve headaches. Can be mixed with shampoo.

For body skin

To rejuvenate the skin of the hands, you can use a mask of sour cream with the addition of 2-3 drops of extract. After 20 minutes, remove the remnants of the mask with a napkin. Suitable for daily use.

In folk medicine

Recipes of traditional medicine are used to treat geranium extract for:

  1. Runny nose - it is recommended to breathe its aroma for several minutes.
  2. Louse - before going to bed, mix a few drops of geranium oil, bergamot, lavender, tea tree, apply, wrap hair with a towel, leave until morning. Then rinse thoroughly, comb through hair.
  3. Burns, scars, herpes, eczema - Mix 5 drops of pelargonium extract with 10 drops of olive oil, apply once a day.
  4. Headache - mix 1 drop of geranium extract with 3 ml of olive oil, apply on fingertips, massage forehead, temple, neck and feet.
  5. Bleeding gums - mix 1 drop of pelargonium oil with 4 drops of olive oil, apply daily to the gums.

In aromatherapy

The fragrance means can relieve headaches, depression, relieve fatigue. Pour 3 drops of geranium oil into the aroma lamp and feel a surge of strength.

Against insects

If you spray clothing and exposed areas with a solution of 100 ml of water mixed with 10 drops of pelargonium oil and 10 drops of alcohol, mosquitoes and mosquitoes will not bother you.

Slimming

You can practice using the product several times a week with anti-cellulite massages, adding 20 drops to massage oil.

Combination with other essential oils

According to the method of S. Price, geranium extract belongs to the group with medium volatility, therefore it can be mixed with others in equal amounts, but no more than 4 species can be added to the composition. The prepared remedy is dissolved in 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Geranium goes well with:

  • basil;
  • bergamot;
  • cloves;
  • oregano;
  • jasmine;
  • ginger;
  • lavender;
  • incense;
  • melissa;
  • myrrh;
  • juniper;
  • nutmeg;
  • neroli;
  • petitgrain;
  • palmarosa;
  • patchouli;
  • rosemary;
  • rose tree;
  • a rose;
  • chamomile;
  • sandalwood;
  • fennel;
  • various types of citrus and conifers;
  • tea tree;
  • sage;
  • eucalyptus

Storage conditions

Store the tool in such conditions:

  1. The bottle should be necessarily glass, glass - dark.
  2. The vial should be upright.
  3. Cover should be tightly closed.
  4. There should be no water in the middle, the condensate formed will ruin the product.
  5. Storage space should be away from sunlight.
  6. The air temperature for storing the bottle that has not yet been opened is + 5 ... + 25 ° С, the open bottle should be stored in the refrigerator.
  7. Keep away from open flame.
  8. Restrict children's access.
  9. Before use, it is recommended to evaluate the taste and appearance of the product.
  10. After purchase, read the instructions for use.

How to do at home

To prepare the extract of pelargonium independently:

  1. Collect the leaves of the plant, wash them, chop.
  2. Pour into a glass saucepan, pour water over the top layer of raw material.
  3. Use a lid with a hole for steam, to which with a glue gun attach the dropper tube.
  4. Place the pot in the water bath.
  5. Fill a bowl with ice, place a small jar in it, lower the other end of the tube there.
  6. Using a pipette, pour the resulting product from the can into a dark glass bottle.

Video: Geranium Leaf Oil Also, the product can be prepared by insisting on alcohol:

  1. Pour 200 g of crushed leaves of pelargonium with 1 cup of alcohol, close tightly and leave in the sun for 2 weeks.
  2. Add 50 ml of olive oil, leave for the same period.
  3. When using such a product, the dosage must be increased, since its concentration will not be as saturated.

Did you know? Out of 0.5 tons of geranium leaves, under industrial conditions, 1 kg of concentrate is obtained, from which about 0.7 kg of absolute is extracted for the perfume industry.
So, geranium oil has a large number of useful properties and practically has no contraindications. It is used by beauticians, traditional healers, massage therapists. This tool can be purchased at the store or cook at home, but it is important to observe the possibilities of combining with other oils and not to forget to store them properly.

Watch the video: 10 UNIQUE WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS. Manifesting, Visualizing, Aromatherapy. Renee Amberg (November 2024).