Geranium oil is commonly used as an element in aromatherapy for its many health benefits. It’s used as a holistic treatment to improve your physical, mental and emotional health. Used by the Egyptians for promoting beautiful and radiant skin, geranium oil is now used to treat acne, reduce inflammation, alleviate anxiety and balance hormones. This sweet-smelling oil can also uplift your mood, lessen fatigue and promote emotional wellness.

Geranium oil is nontoxic, nonirritant and generally non-sensitizing — and the therapeutic properties of include being an antidepressant, an antiseptic and wound-healing. Geranium oil may also be one of the best oils for such diverse dermatological problems as oily or congested skin, eczema, and dermatitis. (1)

Geranium oil is extracted through steam distillation of stems and leaves of the geranium plant. The main components of this oil include alpha pinene, myrcene, limonene, menthone, linalool, geranyl acetate, citronellol, geraniol and geranyl butyrate.

15 Geranium Oil Uses

1. Wrinkle Reducer – Because geranium oil is an astringent, it induces contractions in several parts of the body. It has the power to minimize the look of wrinkles because it tightens facial skin and slows down the effects of aging. Add two drops of geranium oil to your face lotion and apply it twice daily. After a week or two, you will see the look of your wrinkles begin to fade away.

2. Muscle Toner – Geranium oil helps in tightening and contracting muscles – this is again due to its astringent properties. It can prevent your muscles and skin from sagging, and it can give you a more toned abdominal section. Create a massage oil by mixing five drops of geranium oil with one tablespoon of jojoba oil and massage it into your skin, focusing on your muscles.

3. Infection Fighter – The antibacterial properties found in geranium oil help to protect your body from infection. Geranium oil can stop bacteria from growing on the skin, like on a wound. To do this, rub two drops of geranium oil onto the affected area and cover it with gauze; you can repeat this remedy twice a day until the wound or cut is healed. (2)

When you use geranium oil to fight external infection, your immune system can focus on your internal functions and keep you healthier. Athlete’s foot, for example, is a bacterial infection that can be cured with geranium oil. To do this, add give drops of geranium oil to a foot bath with warm water and sea salt; do this twice daily for the best results.

4. Healing Helper – Geranium oil helps to speed up the healing process of cuts, wounds and incisions. It also helps in fading the look of scars and other spots on the skin quickly. Because geranium oil has powerful cicatrisant properties, it increases blood circulation right below the surface of the skin — this helps with the healing of spots caused by acne, cuts or wounds, surgical incisions or skin irritations.

5. Blood Clot Inducer – Geranium oil causes the contraction of blood vessels and, therefore, helps to stop blood flow; it also speeds up the formation of blood clots. This helps in the healing of wounds or incisions, and it keeps toxins from entering the body. This health benefits will even help to prevent hemorrhoids. Try adding one drop of geranium oil to ice cream or frozen soy milk. You can also add the oil to a teaspoon of wheat germ or flaxseeds.

6. Cell Growth Supporter – Geranium oil promotes cell growth; it helps to recycle dead cells and supports the regeneration of new cells. This will allow your metabolism to work more effectively. By using geranium oil in a diffuser or vaporizer, you can take advantage of this amazing benefit.

7. Urination Increaser – An increase in urination means fewer toxins in the body, and being that geranium oil is a diuretic, it will promote urination. Through urination, you release toxic chemicals, heavy metals, sugar, sodium and pollutants. Urination also removes excess bile and acids from the stomach.

8. Natural Deodorant – Geranium oil is a circulatory oil, which means that it exits the body through perspiration. Now your sweat will smell like flowers! Because geranium oil has antibacterial properties, it aids in eliminating bodily odors and can be used as a natural deodorant. The rose-like smell of geranium oil is a perfect way to keep you smelling fresh every day. Add five drops of geranium oil to a spray bottle and mix it with five tablespoons of water; this is a natural and beneficial perfume that you can use every day.

9. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Preventer – Geranium oil is shown to trigger microglial cells, which release pro-inflammatory agents that combat inflammation in neural pathways – therefore preventing the formation of neuro-degenerative diseases. Geranium oil works with the natural chemistry of the brain to prevent these scary conditions that lead to memory loss.

10. Skin Enhancer – Geranium oil helps in the treatment of acne, dermatitis and skin diseases. Try mixing a teaspoon of coconut oil with five drops of geranium oil, then rub the mixture onto the infected area twice a day until you see results. You can also add two drops of geranium oil to your daily face or body wash.

11. Respiratory Infection Killer – Geranium oil can prevent nose and throat infections, as it contains several chemicals that have antibiotic-like effects. When applied to the nose or throat, topically, the oil has a soothing effect and will reduce soreness. To take advantage of this benefit, use a diffuser, inhale geranium oil twice a day, or rub the oil on your throat and under your nostrils.

12. Nerve Painkiiller – Geranium oil has the power to fight nerve pain when it’s applied to the skin. Developing research suggests that applying rose geranium oil to the skin can significantly reduce pain that follows shingles, a condition caused by the herpes virus. Research suggests that the strength of the product used matters, as geranium oil in a concentration of 100 percent appears to be about twice as effective as a 50 percent concentration, so keep that in mind when you are shopping for geranium essential oil.

To fight nerve pain with geranium oil, create a massage oil with three drops of geranium oil mixed with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Massage this beneficial mixture into your skin, focusing on the areas where you feel pain or tension.

13. Mental Functioning Improver – Geranium oil has the power to improve mental functioning and uplift your spirits. It’s known to help people who suffer from depression, anxiety and anger. The sweet and floral smell of geranium oil calms and relaxes the body and mind.

14. Anti-inflammatory Agent – Inflammation has been found to be associated with just about every health condition, and researchers are furiously investigating chronic inflammation’s effects on health and possible preventive medical applications. Research shows that geranium essential oil has significant potential for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs with improved safety profile.

Geranium oil inhibits the inflammatory responses in the skin; this helps your body to fight many health issues. Arthritis, for example, is inflammation of the joints, and heart disease is inflammation of the arteries. Instead of taking a medication to reduce joint pain or lower cholesterol, reducing inflammation in the body is vital.

A 2013 study found that geranium oil is a safer and more effective ingredient for anti-inflammatory medication. Data supports that geranium oil reduces inflammation in the body, and there are fewer side effects from this essential oil than cholesterol and joint pain medications. (3)

15. Insect Repellant and Bug Bite Healer – Geranium oil is used as a natural bug repellant. To make your own bug repellant, mix geranium oil with water and spray it on your body – this is much safer than sprays that are filled with chemicals. You can also add baking soda to this mixture to boost the effects. It also heals insect bites and stops itching; use it as a massage oil on itchy or irritated spots for relief.