What Uses Are There For Geranium?

Geraniums are fragrant, beautiful blossoms that perfectly fit into nearly any indoor or outdoor garden. Everybody knows this about the common and colorful perennial. What many do not know, however, is that the uses for geraniums extend far beyond their aesthetic beauty. Geraniums can be used for many health and beauty endeavors. In this guide to harnessing the power of the geranium, I’ll explain how you can get the most out of this highly versatile, flowering plant.

Geraniums consist of over 200 species, all with varying qualities. Because Rose Geranium (geranium pelargonium) is the only geranium species known to be safe to consume, that is the species of geranium that I will focus on in this article. Rose Geranium can be steeped into a tea, their petals eaten raw or made into a sweet dessert, they can be made into a cream or crafted into an essential oil.

There’s so much that can be done with geraniums, but that fact won’t do you any good if you don’t learn how to harness the plant’s potential. In the article below, you’ll learn how to use geranium for different purposes and in different mediums. You may be astonished at what this powerful, little plant can do!

The Power of Geranium Oil

The simplest way to use geranium, however, is to get your hands on or make a geranium oil. Oils are effective, concentrated with the properties of the geranium plant, and can be used conveniently in many other mediums. Because geranium oil can be very concentrated, it is usually best to mix only a few drops into a carrier oil, cream or water.

Below I’ll tell you how to make geranium oil, as well as show you several Amazon retailers that you can purchase already-made geranium oil from.

Captivate yourself about the power of this plant, click this post on how to grow geraniums.

Making Your Own Geranium Oil

This works best if you have direct access to geranium leaves, which can be tough if you live outside of zone 9 or are in the middle of winter. Fortunately, rose geraniums can be grown indoors with the right TLC.

If you want to flex your green thumb, click here to buy rose-scented geranium seeds on Amazon.

Step 1: Collect the Leaves

When the geraniums are halfway open, you can harvest as many of their petals as you want – depending on how much geranium oil you intend to make. Rinse and dry them, making sure that all dirt and bugs are gone.

Step 2: Prepare the Mixture

You will want some type of carrier oil, preferably one that’s unscented to avoid drowning out the lovely smell of the geranium. Jojoba oil is a good example. Add about 20% of your collected leaves into a jar and pour the oil over the top until the leaves are all submerged. Close the jar and then shake well.

Step 3: Keep it Warm (for a While)

You don’t want to put the jar containing the geranium and oil in direct sunlight, but it should be exposed to the indirect warmth of the sun. Make sure that the jar is getting adequate amounts of sunlight and heat for 7 days.

Step 4: Funnel the Mixture

After the week is over, line a funnel with a few layers of cheesecloth and fit the funnel into a new, clean jar. Pour the oil through the filtered funnel and into the clean jar. Make sure that nothing but oil seeps through, as remnants of the leaves will make the mixture spoil. If other stuff gets through, re-filter it with more layers of cheesecloth.

Step 5: Infuse More Oil

Additional infusions will make for a stronger geranium oil. Gather more of your leaves and add them to the oil you’ve already created. Add more oil if necessary, to cover them, and then repeat steps 3 and 4.

Step 6: Use Your New Oil

Now you can use your own geranium oil however you please! Put it into a diffuser, your facial or body wash, a hydrating lotion, or use it as a massage oil!

Buying Geranium Oil on Amazon

If you don’t have access to the rose-scented geranium shrub and you’re lacking the green thumb necessary to grow it yourself, you can buy geranium oil on Amazon.

Artizen Geranium Oil

If you plan to use geranium oil daily, or you simply want to keep a large amount on-hand as to avoid having to buy it more frequently, this one-ounce bottle from Artizen is a great solution. Click here to buy this geranium oil on Amazon.

Gya Labs Geranium Oil

If you’re looking to add geranium into your beauty routine, this geranium oil by Gya Labs is well known to be useful in restoring the appearance of dull skin. Click here to purchase this oil on Amazon.

Healing Solutions Rose Geranium Spray

Rose-scented geranium is known to relieve stress and promote a calmer atmosphere through aromatherapy. This spray bottle, which is filled with only natural and healthful ingredients, makes it easier than ever to fill a room with this relaxing scent. Click here to purchase it on Amazon.

The Health-Boosting Uses for Geranium

Before we dive into this subject, keep in mind that nothing in this article is intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Geranium has many medical benefits but does not treat or cure any disease or other ailments.

Here are some of the healthful properties of geranium:

Stress Relief

For centuries, rose-scented geranium has been used to combat stress. An aromatic approach with a diffuser or room spray that’s infused with geranium can be quite helpful. Another way to get the stress relief benefits of geranium is to brew the leaves into a tea.

Pain Relief

When applied topically in a cream or massage oil, geranium can assist in relieving pain. This is because geranium has an innate anti-inflammatory composition.

Antibacterial

Geranium is both antibacterial and anti-fungal. This makes for a great geranium-infused healing salve that can protect wounds from infection.

Digestive Health

If inflammation or bacteria in your gastrointestinal system is causing stomach upset, a tea made from geranium leaves can be a quick and pain-free way to ease discomfort and aid in healthy digestion.

Immunity-Boosting

The antimicrobial properties of geranium prevent unwanted pathogens from affecting the internal and external parts of the body, thus boosting immunity.

Respiratory Health

Geranium oil can be used in a diffuser to ease cold, flu and sinusitis symptoms. The plant is so effective at this because it is packed with antiviral properties.

Reproductive Health

Women who are in the throes of menopause, as well as those with awful period pains, may use geranium as a means of alleviating their hot flashes, cramps, and emotional distress caused by the surging of hormones.

While geranium will not treat or cure any ailment, the addition of it into your routine can be a decidedly health-boosting move. You should confer with your physician before adding geranium, or any other herbal supplement, to your routine.

What are the Other Uses for Geranium?

Geranium boasts many medical benefits, but that’s not where its usefulness ends. You can introduce geranium into your beauty routine or simply harness its scent to make your home smell great.

A drop or two of geranium oil into your face wash, body wash, or directly on the skin can diminish the appearance of dullness, acne, and even fine lines. Geranium is a natural and healthy way to tone, tighten and clarify the skin. You can even add a few drops to your bath water for a luxurious, full-body cleanse that delivers the restorative effects of geranium oil.

Skin isn’t the only thing that can be made to look brighter and healthier with the help of geranium. Your hair stands to benefit from its use as well because geranium assists in regulating the oils produced by the scalp. Whether you’ve got oily or dry scalp concerns, geranium can help when applied to the scalp directly or via your shampoo. After a while of routine use, your hair will appear shinier and will always smell sweetly of roses.

Rose Geranium is Extremely Versatile

If you’re looking to boost your health with a more natural approach, the addition of rose-scented geranium leaves or geranium oil into your routine should be toward the top of your list of considerations. With health and beauty benefits aplenty, this unique and beautifully scented plant can be used in a number of ways, so it’s not a hassle to fit it into your routine!