What Is Geranium? Benefits, Uses & Research | God's Way Herbs

What Is Geranium? Discover the Origins, Traditional Uses & Potential Benefits

Geranium is a familiar name used for a diverse group of flowering plants, but in herbalism, aromatherapy, and natural body care, the term frequently refers to fragrant plants within the Pelargonium genus. Among the best known is Pelargonium graveolens, commonly associated with rose geranium and geranium essential oil.

Valued for its floral, slightly sweet, herbaceous aroma, geranium has a long history of use in traditional botanical preparations, perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and natural personal care. The plant's essential oil contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds such as citronellol, geraniol, linalool, and citronellyl formate.

Today, geranium remains particularly popular in skin and body care, massage oils, soaps, lotions, perfumes, essential-oil blends, and aromatherapy preparations, while researchers continue to investigate the biological properties of Pelargonium species and their constituents.

Vibrant Geranium bloom cluster. Source: Malmborg's Garden Center

What Is Geranium?

The word geranium can be confusing because it is commonly used for plants belonging to two related but distinct genera: Geranium and Pelargonium.

True geraniums belong to the Geranium genus and are sometimes called cranesbills or hardy geraniums.

Many of the fragrant plants commonly sold as scented geraniums, rose geraniums, or geranium essential oil actually belong to the Pelargonium genus.

Both genera belong to the Geraniaceae family.

For aromatherapy and natural body-care purposes, one of the most important plants is Pelargonium graveolens and closely related scented Pelargonium cultivars.

Geranium essential oil is generally produced by steam distillation of the plant's fragrant leaves and aerial portions.

Its chemical composition can vary according to species, cultivar, geographic location, climate, harvest conditions, and distillation method.

Common aromatic constituents may include:

• Citronellol

• Geraniol

• Linalool

• Citronellyl formate

• Geranyl formate

• Isomenthone

• Menthone

• Other terpenes and aromatic compounds

These naturally occurring constituents contribute to both geranium's distinctive fragrance and scientific interest in the plant.

Where Does Geranium Come From?

Plants belonging to the broader Geraniaceae family occur throughout many regions of the world.

However, many of the scented Pelargonium species associated with geranium essential oil originated in southern Africa, particularly South Africa.

Pelargoniums were eventually introduced to Europe, where their attractive flowers and aromatic foliage made them popular ornamental plants.

Over time, scented geraniums became increasingly important to the perfume, cosmetic, and essential-oil industries.

Commercial cultivation eventually expanded to other regions with suitable climates, including parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and islands within the Indian Ocean.

Today, geranium oil is internationally valued as an aromatic ingredient, particularly because certain varieties produce a fragrance reminiscent of roses.

How Is Geranium Used?

Geranium is unusual because its modern applications extend well beyond traditional herbal supplements.

The aromatic leaves and essential oil are commonly incorporated into:

• Herbal body-care products

• Natural soaps

• Body washes

• Body butters

• Lotions and creams

• Massage oils

• Facial oils

• Perfumes

• Aromatherapy blends

• Bath products

• Hair and scalp products

• Botanical fragrances

Geranium essential oil is also commonly diffused for its pleasant floral aroma.

When used on the skin, essential oils are generally diluted appropriately in a carrier oil or formulated body-care product rather than applied undiluted.

Certain Pelargonium species have also been used in traditional herbal preparations, although these applications should not automatically be applied to every species sold under the broad name “geranium.”

What Are the Benefits of Using Geranium?

Geranium's benefits depend heavily on which species is being used, which portion of the plant is involved, and how it is prepared.

The strongest modern associations involve aromatherapy, fragrance, skin care, and traditional botanical use.

Supports a Botanical Skin-Care Routine

Geranium essential oil has become a popular ingredient in natural skin and body-care formulations.

Its appealing fragrance makes it useful in soaps, creams, body oils, body butters, cleansers, and other topical preparations.

Laboratory research has also investigated geranium essential oils for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and inflammatory-related activities, although laboratory findings do not establish that geranium treats skin diseases or infections. (PubMed)

For everyday personal care, geranium is best appreciated as an aromatic botanical ingredient that can complement a natural skin and body-care routine.

Provides a Naturally Floral Aroma

One of geranium's most immediate benefits is sensory.

The essential oil offers a complex fragrance combining floral, green, sweet, herbaceous, and rose-like notes.

Compounds such as citronellol and geraniol contribute substantially to this characteristic aroma.

This makes geranium especially valuable in botanical perfumes and natural personal-care products for people who prefer plant-derived fragrances.

Popular in Aromatherapy

Geranium essential oil is frequently incorporated into aromatherapy blends intended to create a calming, refreshing, or uplifting atmosphere.

The relationship between fragrance and emotional experience is complex, and individual responses to aromas vary considerably.

Clinical research involving aromatherapy is also difficult to standardize because studies may use different oils, concentrations, delivery methods, durations, and participant populations.

Therefore, geranium should not be presented as a treatment for anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition.

Instead, its pleasant aroma can be enjoyed as part of a relaxing self-care environment or personal wellness ritual.

Contains Naturally Occurring Antioxidant Compounds

Researchers have investigated extracts and essential oils from Pelargonium species for antioxidant activity.

Geranium's essential oil contains numerous terpenes and other aromatic compounds that can interact with oxidative processes in experimental models.

These findings contribute to scientific interest in the plant, but antioxidant activity demonstrated in a laboratory does not automatically translate into a particular health outcome when geranium is used in a body-care product or diffuser.

Traditionally Used for Skin Wellness

Geranium and related Pelargonium species have histories of traditional topical use in different regions.

Traditional applications have included preparations for skin cleansing, soothing, and general body care.

Modern natural personal-care products continue this botanical tradition by incorporating geranium into formulations intended to cleanse, moisturize, condition, or fragrance the skin.

These uses should be distinguished from claims that geranium can treat eczema, acne, infections, wounds, or other medical skin conditions.

Geranium in Natural Body Care

Geranium is especially well suited to botanical personal care because it combines a distinctive fragrance with a long tradition of topical use.

Its rose-like aroma pairs well with many other botanical ingredients, including:

• Lavender

• Rose

• Bergamot

• Frankincense

• Chamomile

• Patchouli

• Citrus oils

• Sandalwood

• Botanical carrier oils

• Herbal infusions

In properly formulated personal-care products, these combinations can create sophisticated plant-based alternatives to heavily synthetic fragrance profiles.

Geranium can be incorporated into cleansers, moisturizers, bath products, massage oils, and other botanical preparations designed to turn everyday personal care into a more aromatic herbal experience.

Geranium vs. Rose Geranium: What's the Difference?

The names geranium and rose geranium are frequently used interchangeably, but they do not always refer to precisely the same botanical material.

Geranium essential oils used commercially can originate from different Pelargonium species, hybrids, and cultivars.

Rose geranium generally refers to particularly rose-scented Pelargonium varieties whose essential oils contain aromatic profiles rich in compounds such as citronellol and geraniol.

Because common names vary among suppliers, consumers interested in a particular botanical should check the Latin botanical name whenever possible.

This is especially important when reviewing scientific research because findings involving one Pelargonium species cannot automatically be attributed to every plant commonly called geranium.

Geranium vs. Pelargonium sidoides

Another important distinction involves Pelargonium sidoides.

Pelargonium sidoides is a South African medicinal plant whose root extract has been scientifically investigated for respiratory applications.

It is not the same thing as the aromatic Pelargonium graveolens essential oil commonly associated with rose geranium, aromatherapy, and skin care.

The two plants belong to the same genus but have different chemical compositions and traditional applications.

Research involving Pelargonium sidoides root extract should therefore not be used as evidence for the benefits of geranium essential oil or rose geranium body-care products.

Scientific Research on Geranium

Scientific research involving geranium is complicated by the large number of plants described using that common name.

Studies involving Pelargonium graveolens and related aromatic Pelargonium species have investigated their essential oils, phytochemistry, antioxidant properties, antimicrobial activity, and other biological effects.

Researchers have identified citronellol, geraniol, linalool, isomenthone, citronellyl formate, and other volatile constituents within different geranium essential oils. The exact chemical profile can vary considerably depending upon the plant variety and growing conditions. (PubMed)

Laboratory research has investigated Pelargonium graveolens essential oil against various microorganisms. These findings help scientists characterize the plant's biological activity but should not be interpreted as evidence that geranium essential oil can treat infections in humans. (PubMed)

Researchers have also examined geranium oil in experimental models involving oxidative and inflammatory pathways. Again, much of this research is preclinical.

Human aromatherapy studies have investigated geranium-containing preparations in several settings, but results remain difficult to generalize because of differences in products, study designs, and populations.

Overall, geranium remains an interesting botanical for research, particularly in essential-oil chemistry, natural-product science, aromatherapy, cosmetics, and topical botanical formulations.

Additional high-quality human studies are needed before many proposed therapeutic effects can be considered established.

Is Geranium Safe?

Geranium used as an ingredient in properly formulated cosmetic and personal-care products is generally well tolerated by many people.

However, essential oils are highly concentrated substances.

Undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation or sensitization in some individuals. Geranium essential oil should therefore be diluted appropriately or used according to the directions of a professionally formulated product.

A patch test may be appropriate before using a new topical botanical product, particularly for people with sensitive skin.

Essential oils should not be swallowed simply because the source plant is natural.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medications, managing a medical condition, or considering therapeutic use of concentrated essential oils should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

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References & Further Reading

PubMed — Pelargonium graveolens Scientific Research
Explore Research on Pelargonium graveolens

PubMed — Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil: Chemical Composition
Explore Geranium Essential Oil Research

PubMed — Antimicrobial Research on Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil
Explore Laboratory Research

PubMed — Geranium Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Research
Explore Geranium Aromatherapy Studies

National Library of Medicine — Pelargonium graveolens Research
Explore Full-Text Scientific Literature

PubMed — Citronellol and Geraniol Research
Explore Research on Geranium's Major Aromatic Compounds

Educational Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. “Geranium” is a common name that may refer to different Geranium and Pelargonium species; research involving one species should not automatically be applied to another. Essential oils are concentrated botanical preparations and should be used appropriately. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before therapeutic use, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or managing a medical condition.