The information from The Apothecary is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. If you rely upon any programs or techniques, or use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of our shop or website for decision making, without obtaining the advice of a physician or other health care professional, you do so at your own risk. The information in our shop and on our website is not intended to cure, diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor is it a substitute for medical advice. We strongly advise you to consult with your medical doctor or a knowledgeable health practitioner before using any essential oils internally to ensure a safe and optimal program for your individual body and do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substances for health conditions that require professional attention.
BCompMed. mFENACO/Naturopath. S.E.N (SANC). DipNut. DipAdv DTM. DipArom. YTTC.
Rose Geranium essential oil is one of our most popular oils, and we use it in most of our blends and waxes. Its multiple healing properties make it a popular choice amongst aromatherapists, and is the most widely used oil in herbal medicine today, having been used by the native tribes of South Africa for hundreds of years. It has been used for many conditions and is specifically indicated in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for diarrhoea and peptic ulcers.
This oil acts as a tonic and creates an overall balancing effect which extends to the skin, helping to stabilize both dry and oily skin and keeping skin smooth & supple. Its balancing effect on the body and mind makes this oil an obvious choice for uplifting the mood and promoting feelings of stillness and well-being. Grounding and calming, Rose Geranium helps to reduce feelings of anxiety, worry and stress, aids in depression and helps alleviate sleeplessness.
With over 700 varieties of geranium, there are only about 10 that are most commonly used in the herbology and aromatherapy fields, and the most recognisable garden variety geranium, simply doesn't yield enough essential oil to produce sufficient for extraction. With its earliest origins in South Africa, Rose Geranium has a long history of use in treating wounds, burns and other skin disorders. In the 17th century, it found its way into Spain, France, Italy & other European countries and was commonly planted inside the home to ward off evil spirits.
The Apothecary produces a signature rollerball oil blend called Serenity and a massage wax called Calm Balm, with the primary ingredient of both being Rose Geranium and their main objectives being calming and stress reduction.
How to use Rose Geranium essential oil
- Diffuser: To create an environment of positivity and calm, simply add a few drops of Rose Geranium with Lavender & Bergamot to your diffuser.
- Compress: add a few drops to a warm compress and apply topically to the forehead for a calming sensation.
- In the bath: add a few drops to your bath and feel anxiety melt away.
- In your face cream: add a few drops to your facial creams to help unblock clogged pores.
- On your body: Add 10 drops to 10mls Jojoba / Olive blend for a rich moisturising body oil.
- Skin healing: Add to a carrier oil of your choice and rub on scars.
- Aromatherapy room spray: as a pick me up, dilute Rose Geranium essential oil in a spray bottle of distilled water or Witchhazel and add a few drops of the following oils: citrus family (such as Orange, Mandarin, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Neroli and Citronella), floral essential oils (such as Lavender, Jasmine and Rose), earthy essential oils (such as Cedarwood, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood) or herby essential oils (such as Basil, Rosemary, Cypress). This spray also effectively cleanses the environment of odours.
- Hair health: infuse liquid Castile soap with a few drops of Rose Geranium essential oil, diluting it with a floral or Rose Water as a natural shampoo & shake the bottle well to thoroughly combine all ingredient.
Botanical name: Pelargonium roseum.
Family: Geraniaceae
Origin: South Africa
Aroma characteristics: Rosy, sweet, green herbaceous, citrusy, earthy.
Therapeutic properties
• Analgesic • Anti-bacterial • Anti-depressant • Anti-inflammatory • Antiseptic • Astringent • Circulatory • Diuretic • Haemostatic (prevents bleeding) • Tonic (liver & kidneys) • Vulnerary (wound healing).
Therapeutic uses
• Female reproductive disorders • Circulatory system • Reynaud’s disease • Endocrine system • Lymphatic system fluid retention & cellulite • Varicose veins • Hemorrhoids • Nervous system nervous tension and stress-related problems • Depression • Fatigue • Emotional crisis • Nervous skin disorders • Neuralgia • Skin care effective on balancing all skin types & aiding in dermatitis, eczema, wounds & bruises.
All the essential oils highlighted in this column are available at The Emporium of the Enchanted Forest (inside the VaVa Yoga Studio) or online, and you can explore our Apothecary and discuss any questions you may have with me, Ashlí.
Rose Geranium
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