The Hidden Wonders of Geranium Oil

          Known for its sweet, earthy rose-like scent and its colorful flowers, the geranium plant is a welcome addition to any flower garden. However, its extensive medicinal properties go mostly unnoticed. Its essential oil, obtained from the entire plant by steam distillation, is non-toxic and generally non-irritating. Geranium oil is an effective household remedy for a wide variety of women and childrens' conditions.

          It helps relieve pain, soothes anxiety and stress, diminishes swelling and inflammation, is sedative and useful for nervousness, and renowned for healing burns, wounds, and skin ulcers. It is used for sore breasts of lactating mothers. Geranium oil has a number of external uses. It is an excellent mosquito repellant. Due to its gentleness it can safely be used for all types of skin conditions including dry eczema, burns, shingles, ringworms, lice, acne, herpes, cuts and wounds.

          For external use, mix 2 mls or 12 drops of geranium oil to 100 mls of distilled water or about 1 cup. Since oil is not readily dissolved in water, mix well before using. Wash the skin with this aromatherapy lotion as needed. Another way to use geranium oil is to mix 10 mls. or 60 drops in one cup of olive oil and apply this fragrant mixture on the skin. This massage oil will also penetrate inside the body through the skin and can be useful for upset stomach, headache, and more serious problems.

          Geranium oil is often used to fragrance soaps, creams, shampoos, etc. It blends well with lavender, rosemary, sage, frankincense, rose, sandalwood, bergamote, jasmine, juniper and citrus oils. Geranium oil is indispensible for a woman's beauty and hygiene.