August 28, 2014

Part 6: Uses of Geranium Essential Oil If you’re like me, geranium bring up thoughts of grandmothers and sunny window sills. While all 700 varieties of geranium can produce essential oil, most can’t produce enough to be used successfully. Rose geranium essential oil is derived from Pelargonium graveolens whereas the more commonly seen geranium oil is from Pelargonium odorantissimum. Both have floral tones, but Pelargonium graveolens has a rosier scent. It is the more expensive of the two types. Some unscrupulous providers may try to sell essential oil labeled rose geranium. However, it might be made from a different plant. Be sure to check your label if you decide to go with rose geranium over regular geranium essential oil. The Positive Effects Geranium Essential Oil Can Have Geranium essential oil is well known for its balancing trait. It is especially popular in mental, emotional, and hormonal balancing treatments. It is stimulating to the adrenal cortex as well as the lymphatic system. A healing and repairing oil, Geranium essential oil is a wonderful treatment for wounds. It’s recognized for its ability to heal everything from a simple cut to frostbite and athlete’s foot. This gentle oil is one that can be applied neat. Just apply it directly to your cut, bruise, burn, or skin infection. You can use it a few times a day. Summary of Uses: Other Properties of Geranium Essential Oil Geranium’s sweet smell makes it a common addition in the fragrance industry. If you like its sweet, rosey aroma consider using it as a simple personal fragrance. Mix it with a little carrier oil or lotion and use it anywhere you would use perfume. It can be a great mood booster. Use it the next time you have to go into a stressful situation. This could be a tough meeting or dinner with the in-laws. See if it doesn’t help you stay balanced, calm and your true, amazing self! As always, consult your medical provider before use. Pregnant and nursing women are advised not to use geranium essential oil since it does impact hormone levels. Geranium essential oil has blood cell constricting properties. Therefore, it may be contraindicated for folks with high blood pressure. It could also affect those with other cardiovascular diseases. How we use Geranium Essential Oil at Balance Spa We love getting creative with our essential oils uses! For geranium, we use it in treatments because of its beautiful smell. We also use it in and around the spa. During a massage, we first ask our client if they like the floral aroma of geranium. If they do, we add a few drops to our massage cream. We also perform inhalation at the beginning and end of the massage. Using geranium during a massage creates a feeling of confidence, well being and luxury. We used geranium in several ways in and around the spa. We diffuse it, added it to steam towels, and put a few drops in our floor cleaning water. If you’re not a fan of floral aromas, may we suggest orange, eucalyptus or peppermint? If all this discussion of essential oils has you in the mood for a massage, book here!