GERANIUM - essential oil
Otherwise known as crane's bill, there are many different scented geraniums, of which the Rose Geranium is one of my favourites - I call it 'poor man's rose'
Geranium is a genus of 422 species of flowering annual, biennial and perennial plants that are commonly known as the crane's bills. Crane's bills are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mostly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. Some of the most interesting health benefits of geranium include its ability to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, lower stress levels, and ease digestion.
Health benefits
• Astringent – muscles, skin, blood vessels, intestines, tissues, gums
• Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial
• Wound healing – including burns
• Scar healing - by increasing circulation and melanin production
• Diuretic
• Neural degeneration – activates microglial cells in the brain
• Tonic – Boosted strength and functionality of the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, nervous, and excretory systems. Adds tone to muscles and skin
• Improves production of hormones
• Digestive aid – improves production of enzymes, stomach acid and bile
• Vermifuge – intestinal worms
• Skin - acne, dermatitis, eczema, ulcers
• ENT (ear/nose/throat) infections
• PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
• Depression, anxiety, anger
Warning: Geranium oil can have sensitising effects in rare cases. Since it influences certain hormone secretions, geranium essential oil is therefore not advised for use by pregnant women or for those women who are breast-feeding, since it is unclear whether those same effects transfer through breast milk.