The therapeutic qualities of geranium oil are well established, with its gentle, floral scent helping people to ease physical ailments and find peace of mind.

It was originally used by ancient Egyptians and by the Hottentots and Zulus in South Africa, who would utilise various geranium oil benefits to resolve skin complaints and improve its overall condition.

As aromatherapy has continued to gain popularity around the world, so too has the use of geranium oil, with people of all age groups channelling the flowery fragrance as a natural method of relaxation.

To give you a better understanding of the benefits of geranium oil, its history and the type of studies being carried out by researchers, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that explains everything you need to know.

How does geranium oil work?

Geranium oil works in a few different ways, depending on how you wish to intake its health benefits.

The soft, flowery scent of geranium oil makes it particularly popular with those who practise aromatherapy.

The fresh, sweet floral notes are often associated with feelings of calm and relaxation when people need to find a way to manage changes in mood or moments of stress or anxiety.

One of the most common uses of geranium oil is through inhalation, which can be done directly from the bottle or by adding a few drops into an electric diffuser.

Aside from inhalation, you can add a small amount of diluted geranium essential oil to your skin where it can work as an astringent, tightening the skin and helping to combat the signs of ageing.

Benefits of geranium oil

The benefits of geranium essential oil are wide and varied, and depending on the application it can:

1. Offer pain relief

Geranium essential oil’s ability to absorb easily into the skin enables it to be used for pain relief in different areas of the body, whilst also helping to reduce inflammation.

Scientists investigated its anti-inflammatory properties in a 2013 study, testing the oil’s effectiveness compared to common cholesterol and joint pain medications.

The results suggested that when it comes to combating inflammation, geranium oil may be more effective and safer than these types of common medications, and with fewer side-effects.

An earlier study, conducted in 2003, suggested that geranium oil may even prove useful when it comes to easing nerve pain when applied to the skin.

People with shingles used the oil and found that pain caused by the condition was reduced after application.

2. Improve the condition of your skin

One of the most common geranium oil uses is for the skin, with people applying it to tighten and reduce the signs of ageing.

Acne and similar types of skin conditions often create inflamed areas on the face, which can be alleviated by the oil’s anti-inflammatory properties to create a more even skin tone.

In 2017, researchers also learned that geranium oil’s antimicrobial properties could be beneficial for the skin.

They produced results that suggested that it can be effectively used against microorganisms that are responsible for a variety of skin infections and diseases.

3. Protect against body odours

Geranium is a natural circulatory oil, which means it can be easily absorbed into the skin and bloodstream. And once it has been absorbed, it then exits the body via perspiration.

The rose-like fragrance of geranium essential oil provides the perfect cover for bad body odour, which can be ideal if you are prone to sweating on hot, humid days or after taking part in strenuous activities.

A safe way to test this is by adding 5 drops of geranium essential oil to a spray bottle and mixing it with 5 tablespoons of water.

Apply where needed and you could have natural deodorant protection filled with anti-bacterial properties that can help to eliminate unpleasant smells.

4. Support good mental health

Geranium oil benefits the mind just as much as the body, with research also demonstrating its positive effect on mental health.

For example, a 2015 study involving pregnant women found that using geranium oil helped to lower their anxieties during labour.

People experiencing low moods and stress also took part in a 2018 study, with the results suggesting the oil could offer some relief.

It supports the idea that inhaling or smelling geranium essential oil through a diffuser or burner could provide some help for people struggling to overcome common mental health conditions.

5. Promote healthy urination

People who have issues urinating frequently throughout the day may find that using geranium essential oil could offer some help.

The oil is a natural diuretic, which means it can reduce fluid buildup in the body. Being able to frequently pass urine has several benefits for the body, helping to release toxic chemicals, heavy metals, sugar and pollutants.

Excess bile and acid in the stomach can be released with regular urination. It can also help to lower high blood pressure, removing sodium and easing pressure on the kidneys.

6. Reducing menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms

According to a study conducted in 2017, the aromatherapeutic effects of geranium essential oil included its ability to stimulate the secretion of salivary oestrogen.

Researchers overseeing the tests suggested that the oil may be helpful for women who have low oestrogen levels and other health-related symptoms that can be caused by menopause and perimenopause.

Geranium oil can also prove helpful for women when it comes to balancing hormone levels and controlling changes in mood.

This can be particularly helpful during the menstrual cycle or when experiencing other hormonal imbalances.

7. Control yeast infections

One of the most common yeast infections that affects the mouth, intestinal tract and vagina is candida albicans.

It has also been known to cause issues with the skin and other mucous membranes.

A 2008 mice study examined how effective geranium oil could be at reducing candida cell growth in rodents.

The oil was delivered intravaginally, which helped to reduce the amount of active candid cells in the vaginal cavity.

The results suggested that using geranium oil or geraniol (its main component) as a vaginal application could work as a candida cell suppressant in the vagina.

8. Support diabetes care

A 2012 animal study wanted to see If the benefits of geranium oil could be extended to treating diabetes.

This could be because some countries, such as Tunisia, have a long history of using it as a folk medicine to reduce hyperglycemia.

Researchers found that daily, oral administration of the oil helped to reduce the rat’s glucose levels.

The results also suggested that geranium essential oil may be able to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

However, they were careful to note that more research was needed before any solid conclusions could be reached.

It should also be noted that it is not safe for humans to consume geranium essential oil. If you want to enjoy its health benefits, applying it to the skin or inhaling via a diffuser is the recommended method.

9. Help neurodegenerative diseases

When microglial cells (major immune cells in the brain) are activated, they start to release nitric oxide, which play a pivotal role in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

Researchers published the results of a study conducted in 2010, suggesting that geranium essential oil benefits could include anti-neuroinflammatory properties that may ease the associated symptoms.

The oil was tested at its natural concentration level, which did not inhibit nitric acid production.

It was also tested at higher concentrations, with citronellol (a major component of geranium) producing positive inhibitory activity.

10. Provide wound care

Due to geranium essential oil’s antiseptic and antibacterial properties, some believe that it could prove useful in the treatment of minor wounds.

However, there is currently no scientific proof to support this claim, with the evidence being anecdotally provided by users of the oil who have found it to be beneficial.

The oil may be able to cure bleeding wounds by speeding up coagulation, which causes blood vessels to contract, helping to stem the flow from the wound.

How to use geranium oil

Common geranium oil uses include:

As a massage oil

To enjoy geranium oil benefits such as pain relief or anti-inflammatory properties, using it as a massage lotion is a good place to start.

Mix 5 drops with 10ml of carrier oil (such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil) and massage into the skin where needed.

It can be particularly useful for dealing with shingles pain, foot swelling and other pains associated with inflammation.

As an aromatherapeutic remedy

The calming, floral notes of geranium essential oil make it a favourite with many people who enjoy the benefits of diffusion.

Simply add 5-7 drops of the oil to water in the diffuser or oil burner and let the fragrance release into the room.

Another method is to inhale the oil directly from the bottle or by adding a few drops to a handkerchief or cotton ball.

History of geranium oil

The history of geranium essential oil goes all the way back to ancient Egypt, where it was highly respected for its various skincare properties.

It would take some time before geranium oil arrived in Europe, with the first cultivation for distillation taking place in the 17th century.

It slowly rose to prominence during the Victorian era, with potted versions of the plant appearing in parlours and on windowsills, providing a refreshing, natural scent.

Geranium oil has retained its popularity ever since, finding favour with people who prefer to use natural remedies that produce few side effects.

Geranium Oil FAQs

What are the side effects of geranium essential oil?

Geranium essential oil is considered safe for most people to use.

However, even when the oil has been correctly diluted using a carrier oil, some people may still experience skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

If you are a first-time user, it is a good idea to complete a patch test to ensure the oil is compatible with your skin.

Is rose geranium essential oil the same as geranium essential oil?

Rose geranium essential oil and geranium essential oil are both part of the pelargonium graveolens plant species, although they are derived from different varieties.

In terms of properties and composition they are almost identical and can be used in similar ways.

The main difference is that rose geranium essential oil is slightly more floral in scent, making it smell like roses.

Can you ingest geranium essential oil?

Ingesting large quantities of geranium essential oil could prove harmful to your health, so it is not advisable to ingest it all.

Whilst it is true that small amounts of the oil are added to baked goods on occasion, doing so without the correct supervision or nutritional information could lead to health complications.