Updated 17 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Tracheobionta
- Class: Magnoliophyta
- Order: Cyperales
- Family: Poaceae
- Genus: Cymbopogon
- Part used: Grass (leaves, flowers)
- Country of origin: India, Madagascar, Nepal, Vietnam
Precautions for use
Palmarosa essential oil is reserved for adults and adolescents.
Pregnant women, children and babies should not use it without medical advice.
People with asthma should also consult their doctor before use.
For adults and teenagers, all forms of use are permitted, but beware, due to its composition, this essential oil is allergenic.
Other precautions
Warning:
- Pregnant women should only use palmarosa essential oil under medical supervision.
- For children and babies it can be used in diluted form on the skin under medical advice.
- People with asthma should seek medical advice before use.
Diffusion:
- For children and babies, you can use palmarosa essential oil in a diffuser.
Allergenic components:
Palmarosa essential oil contains high levels of geraniol, a biochemical allergenic component:
- Geraniol (up to 80%)
- Linalool (≤ 4%)
- Neral + geranial (≤ 2%)
- Trans-farnesol (≤ 2%)
- Limonene (≤ 1%)
- Eugenol (≤ 0.2%)
- Citronellol (≤ 0.05%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Risks of use
Properties
- Powerful broad-spectrum antibacterial
- Powerful antifungal
- Antiviral and immunostimulant
- Excellent ganglio-lymphatic drainer
- General tonic, cardiotonic
- Uterotonic, facilitates childbirth
- Analgesic
Indications
- Excessive sweating
- Impetigo
- Acne
- Cystitis
- Vaginitis
- Urethritis
- Salpingitis
- Cervicitis
- Eczema
- Cutaneous mycoses
- Bedsores
- Furuncle
- Oily skin
- Wrinkles
- Scabies
- Skin, digestive and gynaecological mycoses of all types
- Bacterial and viral enteritis
- ENT and digestive infections
- Late pregnancy and antenatal care
Directions for use/usual dosage
- Skin problems, fungal infections: apply locally, diluted or not in a vegetable oil, depending on the area to be treated, in synergy with other essential oils.
- Excessive perspiration: apply 2 drops locally 2 times a day.
- Stress, anxiety, anger: apply 2 drops to the solar plexus 3 times daily.
- Feelings of guilt and frustration: diffuse several times a day.
- Severe acne: apply locally diluted in a suitable vegetable oil (non-comedogenic).
Cosmetic
- Astringent
- Healing, regenerating
- Moisturising
- Skin problems: eczema, acne, wounds, cracks, bedsores, cellulite, etc.
- Sweat odours (underarms, feet), excessive perspiration, good deodorant
Cooking
- Can be used in cooking, particularly to perfume desserts with its floral notes reminiscent of rose and geranium.
Interior use
- Atmospheric diffusion to purify the air.
- Air diffusion to calm anger and frustration
- Natural insect and parasite repellent
Find out more
This essential oil, like its cousins in the Cymbopogon family, which can imitate the scent of lemon balm or lemon verbena, is used to cut rose essential oil, which is very expensive because its scent can be very similar. So be careful when choosing a rare and expensive essential oil and check its origin and quality. If the price is too low, you may be tempted to buy it...