Uses and Benefits of Rose Geranium Essential Oil

Unlock the secret to natural wellness and beauty with the magical essence of Rose Geranium Essential Oil—a single drop can transform your daily routine!

Distinct from its cousin, the Geranium Essential Oil, this oil prides itself on a more complex floral aroma that captivates the senses, instantly calming the mind while gently uplifting your spirit. Its unique ability to emit the strongest, most superior notes of Rose sets it apart, making it a preferred replacement for the highly sought-after Rose Essential Oil. This makes it an exceptional choice for those who desire the luxurious and aromatic qualities of Rose without the premium price tag.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skincare routine, create a serene home environment, or find natural ways to reduce stress, various benefits of Rose Geranium Essential Oil will cater to your well-being and beauty needs.

What is Rose Geranium Essential Oil

Rose Geranium Essential Oil is colorless to dark green, thin oil, meticulously steam distilled from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens var. roseum. This plant, commonly known as Rose Geranium, is an erect, evergreen shrub characterized by its vigorous growth. It can reach up to 1.3 meters in height and spread approximately 1 meter wide. In its youth, the Rose Geranium exhibits a herbaceous quality, gradually transitioning into woody textures as the branches age. The plant’s stems are replete with fine hairs, and its leaves are festooned with glandular hairs, bestowing a velvety texture.

This meticulous arrangement of the Rose Geranium’s anatomy contributes to its distinctive floral aroma, placing it squarely as a medium note in the aromatic spectrum. This aroma captivates the senses, weaving a tapestry of olfactory pleasure that is grounding and uplifting.

Benefits of Rose Geranium Essential Oil

Promotes Youthful Skin

Research1 underscores that Rose Geranium Essential Oil, with its potent antioxidant capabilities, can significantly impart a more radiant, youthful glow to your skin. These antioxidants are critical in combating free radicals, those pesky agents responsible for premature aging.

Soothes Skin

Rose Geranium Essential Oil is highly celebrated for its soothing effects on damaged or sensitive skin. A comprehensive study2 has demonstrated that the oil exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically. This makes it an exceptional ally in calming redness, easing irritation, and promoting skin healing.

Promotes Hormone Balance

Rose Geranium Essential Oil is reputed to support and maintain the body’s natural hormonal equilibrium. Several studies3 have reported noticeable improvements in hormonal balance among users by harnessing the power of Rose Geranium oil. This harmonizing effect can lead to a range of benefits, from stabilized mood swings to more regulated menstrual cycles, offering a holistic approach to well-being that underscores the oil’s adaptogenic properties.

Uplifts

Engaging your sense of smell, Rose Geranium Essential Oil supports feelings of joy and well-being, creating an atmosphere of positivity that surrounds you. Results of a pivotal study4 have shown significant anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and antidepressant activities of P. roseum essential oil, affirming the traditional uses of Pelargonium species as calming agents.

Calms

Rose Geranium Essential Oil provides calming and soothing effects, making it an ideal choice for those seeking ease from restlessness and stress. A seminal study5 identifies the sensory profile of Pelargonium graveolens, revealing that its distinctive scent has been recognized for its stress-reducing properties.

Detoxifies

Rose Geranium Essential Oil is a powerful ally in the body’s natural detoxification process. This remarkable oil has been found to stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a pivotal role in promoting the removal of toxins from the body. Furthermore, its diuretic properties assist in combating fluid retention and cellulite, offering a natural solution for those seeking to purify their body and enhance their overall wellness, according to a study6.

Fresh Spring Diffuser Blend Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Rose Geranium EO – 3 drops
  • Lavender (Bulgarian) EO – 3 drops
  • Tangerine EO – 3 drops

Instructions:

  1. Add ingredients to a diffuser according to instructions.
  2. Diffuse in an open room.
  3. To make a master blend of this recipe, add 33 drops of each oil to a 5 mL bottle.

Rose Geranium Oil Blends Well With

The floral, sweet aroma of Rose Geranium Essential Oil blends well with Angelica Root, Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood Atlas, Citronella, Rosemary, Orange, Neroli, Lime, Lavender, Jasmine, and Clary Sage Essential Oils.

What’s the Science Behind This Oil?

History of Rose Geranium Essential Oil

The history of Rose Geranium Essential Oil is as rich and fragrant as its aroma. Originating from South Africa, Pelargoniums have been celebrated for their soothing effects on the skin. Traditional remedies leveraged these plants to treat topical ailments and burns and even soothe respiratory conditions such as coughs, tuberculosis, gastritis, and dysentery, highlighting their versatile medicinal properties.

When Rose Geranium arrived in Europe in the 17th century, it became valued for its therapeutic benefits and purported protective powers. It was commonly planted around households and revered for its ability to ward off evil spirits. This belief underlined the plant’s significance in cultural practices and integration into daily life beyond its aromatic and healing qualities.

Chemical Constituents

Citronellol

Citronellol, or dihydrogeraniol, is a natural acyclic monoterpenoid that occurs in nature. It is found in citronella, rose, and Pelargonium geranium oils. It is used in perfumes, as a fragrance in cleaning products, and has been evaluated as an insect repellent.

Geraniol

Geraniol is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol. It is the primary component of citronella, rose, and palmarosa oil. It also occurs in small quantities of geranium, lemon, and many other essential oils. With a rose-like scent, it is commonly used in perfumes. It is also widely used as an insect repellent, especially for mosquitoes.

Linalool

Linalool is found in many flowers and spice plants. It has multiple commercial applications, mostly based on its pleasant scent (floral, with a touch of spiciness). It is also an antimicrobial agent used in manufacturing soaps, fragrances, food additives as flavors, household products, and insecticides.

Things to Remember When Using This Oil

Always dilute an essential oil when using it on the skin. This essential oil is unlikely to cause skin irritation when diluted properly. If the oil has been oxidized (left with the cap off for long periods of time) it is more likely to cause skin irritation. Check out this dilution chart for diluting this essential oil properly. 

This oil is generally safe to use if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor prior to use. 

This essential oil is safe to use with kids age 2+.

Cats may find this oil irritating. However, we do not expect your cat to be disturbed if you use this oil on yourself. Just be mindful of your pet’s behavior. For more information on using essential oils with cats, check out this blog post

This essential oil is generally safe to diffuse and use topically on dogs. For more information on using essential oils with dogs, check out this blog post

We don’t recommend ingesting essential oils unless directed by a doctor certified in aromatherapy. For more information on why we don’t ingest essential oils, check out this blog post.

Please note: This post is a compilation of suggestions made by those that have extensively used essential oils and has not been verified scientifically with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please consult your doctor. The statements given in this blog post have not been verified by the FDA

Similar Essential Oils

References:

  1. Rafie H, Soheila H, et al. Pelargonium graveolens (Rose Geranium) – A Novel Therapeutic Agent for Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antifungal and Diabetics. 2017 Mar
  2. Boukhatem MN, Kameli A, Ferhat MA, Saidi F, Mekarnia M. Rose geranium essential oil as a source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs. 2013 Oct
  3. Carmen G, Hancu G. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity of Pelargonium roseum Essential Oils. 2014 Dec
  4. Abouhosseini Tabari M, Hajizadeh Moghaddam A, et al. Anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of Pelargonium roseum essential oil on Swiss albino mice: Possible involvement of serotonergic transmission. 2018 Jun
  5. Karin W, Anna-María P, et al. Odor Perception and Descriptions of Rose-Scented Geranium Pelargonium graveolens ‘Dr. Westerlund’ – Sensory and Chemical Analyses. 2023 Apr
  6. Adriana S, Monika S, et al. Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Essential Oils Derived from Different Pelargonium Species Leaves. 2019 Dec