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General Description
Many different species of Geranium exist and the majority of scented varieties are grown in our gardens each year, exuding the aromas of lemon, cinnamon, peach, even pineapple, at present there are over 200 different scented Geraniums we can commonly grow and enjoy in our gardens each year. It is important to state that these scented varieties of what we believe are Geranium are in fact not actually true Geranium, instead they are members of genus Pelargoneum. Confusing but true.
Funnily enough the most popular species used in the world of Aromatherapy is in fact Pelargoneum Graveolen and Pelargoneum Roseum! Prior to the World War Africa was a big producer of Geranium Essential Oil but today China and Egypt dominate the Geranium Essential Oil market.
History
Scented geraniums have a very interesting history, from their native South Africa they are believed to have been brought to England in the early 1600's by John Tradescent, botanist and plant "head hunter" for Charles the First of England. The plant he brought back was Pelargoneum Triste, one of the few scented geraniums that had fragrant blossoms and he is said to have bought the seeds from Rene Morin in France!
Scented geraniums became popular for use in making perfumes, and soon were cultivated in the warm coastal regions of France and Spain, as well as Algeria and the coast of what was the Belgian Congoat the time, even Thomas Jefferson got involved and grew them in his gardens at the White House!!
Growing scented geraniums became a popular pastime of the people in Victorian England, where they would raise them in heated greenhouses. This trend continued until 1914 when fuel to heat the green houses was banned due to the world war.
Extraction
Geranium essential oil is extracted via steam distillation and is pale yellow in colour with exception to Geranium Bourbon/Rose Geranium which is light green in colour. The main chemical constituents of Geranium essential oil are geraniol, linalol, geranyl acetate, geranyl butyrate and citronellol.
Aromatherapy Uses of Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil is incredibly popular in everyday aromatherapy as it has a multitude of uses including mood enhancing effects that leave us feeling in a peaceful, balanced and highly content state of mind. Also Geranium is commonly used to help with pre menstrual symptoms, widely used in footbaths for chilblains, brilliant for treating cold sores when applied neat and when diluted in carrier oil it is effective at treating hemorrhoids.
Safety Data
Geranium is very safe when used within the normal therapeutic guidelines.
