Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)


Updated 29 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

  • Kingdom: Plantae 
  • Division: Magnoliophyta 
  • Class: Magnoliopsida 
  • Order: Geraniales 
  • Family: Geraniaceae 
  • Genus: Pelargonium
  • Part used: Leaves
  • Country of origin: Madagascar, Reunion

Precautions for use

Geranium essential oil is not to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or by babies.

However, pregnant women over the age of 3 months may use it cutaneously, but in a diluted form and only on medical prescription.

It can be used without risk to the respiratory tract, by topical application and by ingestion, but with dilution and dosage to be respected, as geranium essential oil is irritating to the skin.

It is also high in allergenic components (up to 60% citronellol, linalool and geraniol), which makes it allergenic.

Other precautions

Warning:

  • People with asthma or epilepsy should seek medical advice before use.

Cutaneous use:

  • Geranium essential oil is irritating to the skin and should be diluted to 20% in vegetable oil (20% essential oil in 80% vegetable oil) before use on the skin.
  • Diluted dermal use is possible for pregnant women over 3 months under medical advice.

Diffusion:

  • Pregnant women and babies can use this essential oil in air diffusers.

Allergenic components:

Geranium essential oil contains several high-dose allergenic biochemical components:

  • citronellol (18 to 30%)
  • geraniol (9 to 17%)
  • linalool (3 to 15%)
  • citral (geranial + neral) (≤2%)
  • limonene (≤0.5%)

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

 Adults and adolescents

 Children under 6 years

 Pregnant and breastfeeding women

 Pregnant women younger than 3 months

 Infants under 3 years old

How to use

 Inhalation
 Cutaneous

 Oral

 Diffusion

Risks of use

  Allergic

 Skin irritation

 Properties

  • Antibacterial, antiviral 
  • Antifungal 
  • Haemostatic, healing 
  • Anti-inflammatory, analgesic 
  • Lymphotonic and phlebotonic 
  • Hepato-pancreatic stimulant 
  • Anti-spasmodic 
  • Increases insulin sensitivity 

Indications

​Directions for use/usual dosage

  • For skin disorders, insect bites, wounds, apply 1 to 2 drops undiluted or diluted in an OIL as a topical application.
  • Atmospheric diffusion to repel mosquitoes
  • Mixed with other EOs to stimulate venous and lymphatic circulation, mixed with an oil and massaged in.
  • For nosebleeds, soak a cotton pad with 1 drop of Geranium EO and/or Cistus EO and apply to the affected nostril.
  • To attract the good and ward off the bad, put 1 or 2 drops of Geranium Bourbon EO on the back of your hands and on your luggage when travelling, or diffuse in a room.