Botanical Name: Pelargonium Graveolens

Origin: China

Citronellol is a key natural chemical in Rose, the amount presence can vary greatly but it has been found at up to 40% in Rose oils as well. Also you will find between 10-15% of Citronellyl Formate which again has a real clean, fresh smell with a hint of rosiness and fruitiness about it.

Therapeutically I think Bourbon rules the roost, Egyptian is also therapeutically useful with twice the amount of linalool to this Chinese material.

Therefore I think Chinese Geranium is probably best suited to anyone that just wants a stunning smelling Geranium for a cost effective price.

Chinese Geranium contains minute amounts of 10-epi-gamma-eudesmol, I think no more than 1.5%, Bourbon contains 0% and Egyptian contains over 5%. Now I could be wrong but I think this may explain the green colour opposed to Egyptian which is of a yellow colour – Bourbon is also Green. I’ll find out and update accordingly.

One thing I’m certain about is that Egypt and China are the big producers of Geranium oil, and you also have Reunion material. I know it is also grown throughout the Africa continent but I also know the work ethics of Africans regarding Geranium is bizarre and so it’s all very stop start with African Geranium. It is an unreliable source which is a shame as it’s lovely stuff.

Back in the 1950’s and into the early 60’s, Algeria (part of African continent) was under French rule and was actually a big producer of eudesmol rich Geranium. At this time you had all the French ex pats in Algeria who would have farms producing this Geranium, classed as a luxury product for the western world.
However it came to an end for political reasons, the Algerian civil war broke out followed by the eventual independence from France in 1962 and subsequently the French farmers were driven out of Algeria. The land was taken over by Algerians who used it to produce food for the local population, opposed to luxury oil for the Western world.

So in 2011 if UK competitors are selling Algerian Geranium in any great volume I am surprised and very impressed! Also on subject of Morocco (again African continent) it does not have the right climate and has never been a success story regarding the offering of stunning Geranium, it’s plagued with drought. I know you may ask about Egyptian material but that all grows near the Nile Delta which has a brilliant irrigation system in place and Reunion material is subject to plenty of rain and if it doesn’t get the rain the morning dew and mists combined with the ever rich volcanic soil are enough to feed the plant.