Geranium Essential Oil

DESCRIPTION

Rose scented geranium is an important aromatic crop.Its botanical nomenclature, thus far, used as Pelargonium graveolens L. Herit ex. Aiton has been since disputed by Rajeshwara Rao and Bhattacharya ( 1992 ) stating that all the cultivars having rose like odor due to presence of citronellol or geraniol in their essential oil , are of hybrid origin. It would , therefore, be appropriate to refer it as pelargonium species until a separate species name is given to them.Pelargonium spp ( Family : Geraniaceae ) is the source of the one of the most important essential oils called the geranium oil.The Rose scented geranium oil is native of rocky dry slopes of Cape of south Africa / Egypt .Geranium oil is obtained through steam distillation process and extracted from the leaves and stalks of the plant. Organic Geranium is a hairy perennial shrub, mainly used in hedgerows and can grow up to about one meter high (3 feet), having pointed leaves that are serrated at the edges with pinkish-white flowers.

COMMON NAMES
Rose geranium Oil
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Crop is reported to grow well in temperature , sub tropical climates at varying altitudes, Mediterraneantype of mild climate with low humidity , warm winter and mild summers temperature ranging between 5-23 C, having an annual rainfall of 1000-15000 mm and altitude of 1200- 2400 m, are ideal for the crop.Geranium oil is majorly grown in Egypt , India , France , Begium , China , Madagascar , Reunion Islands etc.

BLENDS WITH:
It can blend with Basil, Bergamot, Citronella, Clary Sage, Fennel, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Nerolia and Nutmeg.

CONSTITUENTS
It contains Geraniol (9 to 20%), Citronellol (20 to 40%), Linalool (5 to 15%), Menthone, geranyl formate, 10-epi-eudesmol (Egypt,Morocco, Algeria), Guaiadiene-6, 9 (China).

USES
Owing to its therapeutic properties, geranium oil can be used in the treatment of the acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, ulcers, breast engorgement, edema, tonsillitis and menopausal problems.
The Oil of Geranium has a strong, heavy Rose like odor withminty top note. It blends well in all kinds of scents, Floral as well asoriental and is used extensively in perfumery.
It is widely used in the scentingof soaps due to ots stability in the slightly alkaline medium also.
Geraniumoil is used for production of Rhodinol, Rhodinol ex Geranium is highly priced and is considered valuable for production of perfumes.Tannin are also obtained by by-product means of Geranium Oil.