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Geranium essential oil is derived by steam distillation of the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens, a plant species native to South Africa. According to folklore, it was used for a wide range of health conditions.

Geranium oil is grown in many regions, including Europe and Asia. There are many varieties and strains of the pink flower with a fresh, floral fragrance. Each variety differs in scent, but is near-identical in terms of composition, benefits, and uses.

Geranium oil is widely used as an ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. The essential oil is also used in aromatherapy to treat a number of health conditions. In aromatherapy, essential oils are inhaled using a diffuser, or diluted with carrier oils and applied to the skin for soothing benefits.

Researchers have examined the benefits of geranium essential oil in several human and animal studies. There’s also anecdotal evidence about its benefits. It’s thought to have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent properties.

Geranium essential oil has been well researched for some conditions, but is less researched for others. Make sure to check with a doctor before using it, and don’t substitute geranium essential oil for a prescribed medication or treatment.

Geranium oil may be beneficial for the following conditions:

A 2017 review of studiesTrusted Source on geranium essential oil indicated that its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties make it beneficial for reducing acne breakouts, skin irritation, and skin infections when applied topically.

Geranium essential oil’s anti-inflammatory properties also make it beneficial for a number of inflammatory conditions, including those affecting skin.

One studyTrusted Source found that geranium essential oil shows promise as a potential anti-inflammatory medication with few side effects.

An animal studyTrusted Source indicated that geranium essential oil’s anti-inflammatory qualities may make it beneficial for leg and foot swelling caused by edema.

Anecdotal evidence indicates that adding geranium essential oil to bath water may be a good way to treat this condition. More research is needed to investigate the effects of geranium essential oil on edema.

Nasal vestibulitis is an uncomfortable condition associated with cancer drug treatment.

A small observational study and anecdotal evidence suggests geranium essential oil may ease nasal symptoms caused by this condition, such as bleeding, scabbing, pain, dryness, and sores.

For the study, geranium essential oil was mixed with sesame oil and used as a nasal spray in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Multiple studies suggest geranium essential oil may fight off bacterial infections. Geranium essential oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, making it effective against multiple bacterial strains.

One studyTrusted Source found that geranium essential oil was about as effective as amoxicillin at fighting bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The same study found that it was not effective at fighting Listeria monocytogenes, a different bacterial strain.

Certain neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are associated with varying degrees of neuroinflammation.

A study found that high concentrations of citronellol, a component of geranium essential oil, inhibited nitric oxide production, reducing inflammation and cell death in the brain.

According to researchers, geranium essential oil might have benefits for people with neurodegenerative diseases that include neuroinflammation.

A studyTrusted Source found that aromatherapy with geranium essential oil was beneficial at stimulating secretion of salivary estrogen.

Researchers theorized that geranium essential oil might be of value for women experiencing reduced estrogen and health-related symptoms caused by menopause and perimenopause.

Aromatherapy is becoming more and more mainstream, even in hospital settings. A randomized, clinical trialTrusted Source of women in labor for the first time found that inhaled geranium essential oil had a calming effect and was able to reduce the anxiety associated with first-stage labor.

Anecdotal evidence also suggests geranium essential oil may promote relaxation and alleviate depressive mood. One animal studyTrusted Source on mice analyzed the calming, antidepressive effects of the Reunion geranium (Pelargonium roseum willd) essential oil strain, and found it to be effective for reducing stress.