Composition
100% essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens. Origin: Egypt.
The plant and the oil
Rose geranium is a pelargonium, not a true geranium: both genera belong to the same plant family.[2]
In oil from Egypt, citronellol has been measured at about 24–40% of the oil, a share similar to that in geranium oils from other regions.[3]
Scent
The oil smells floral, fresh, sweet and slightly fruity.[4] Perfumers also describe it as green, herbal and minty, and Egyptian oil as rosy with a hint of citronella.[5]
The scent is strong and quickly takes over a blend, so use it sparingly; many people need a little time to get used to it. It is close to the scent of rose otto and rose absolute, although the oils are not the same.[4]
How to use
Scent a room. Start with very little and add more only if needed, because the scent is strong and dominant; it blends well with citrus, floral, wood and mint oils. In aromatherapy it is described as calming and balancing.[4]
Make a massage oil. Mix the oil into a carrier oil such as jojoba oil. 1% means 1 ml of geranium oil in 100 ml of blend.
For people aged 15 and over, the recommended share of essential oil in a blend is up to 2% for general wellbeing, but not every day. During an illness, at most 5% is acceptable, and only for a short time.[6]
| Share of geranium oil | Geranium oil in 10 ml of blend | Carrier oil in 10 ml of blend |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5% | 0.05 ml | 9.95 ml |
| 1% | 0.1 ml | 9.9 ml |
| 2% | 0.2 ml | 9.8 ml |
Before the first use, try a little of the blend on a small patch of undamaged skin. If the skin reacts, stop and apply a little vegetable oil or cream.[7]
Add it to a bath. Stir it into a little vegetable oil or a bath gel base first, so that it does not float on the water as undiluted drops.[7][8]
Precautions
- do not swallow it or put it on the skin undiluted;[9]
- keep it away from the eyes;[7]
- keep the bottle out of the reach of children.[7]
- Geranium oil can cause skin hypersensitivity or dermatitis in some people, so always dilute it and test a little first, as described above.[10]
- People with asthma should try the scent carefully at first: fragrances, natural ones included, can make the condition worse.[11]
- In pregnancy, use it on the skin only well diluted, at 1 to 2%.[12]
- Premature babies get no essential oils on the skin, and babies up to 3 months old get at most 0.1%.[6]
- Older children, too, need much weaker blends than adults.[6]
- The oil burns easily: keep it away from candles and flames.[7]
Sources
- ↑ Vivasan, product packaging of Geranium (E 102).
- ↑ Ebrahim Lawrence, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pelargonium graveolens. PlantZAfrica, November 2002. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ Brian M. Lawrence, Progress in Essential Oils: Geranium Oil. Perfumer & Flavorist 28 (January/February 2003), table T-7, p. 65.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 AromaWeb, Geranium Essential Oil. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ The Good Scents Company, geranium oil egypt. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), Guidelines to IFPA Members Treating Babies and Children. Revised August 2021.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), Safety. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ Tisserand Institute, Safety guidelines. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), Statement on Internal and Undiluted Use of Essential Oils. November 2019.
- ↑ Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA), Essential Oils Handbook.
- ↑ Robert Tisserand, Proof of Safety: Challenges Facing Essential Oil Therapy. AIA Conference 2007.
- ↑ International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), Pregnancy and Lactation Guidelines. Revised August 2021.