Nature's Table- essential oils part 11 by Annalies Schmaltz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

essential oils/aromatherapy

Geranium:

This time we are discussing the Geranium, we all know
these plants most of us have one or two in the garden or
in flowerpots on our balcony's. Sometimes referred to as
the old peoples plants. Geranium sometimes used to
mimic costly rose oil in frangrances. Geranium essential
oil is distilled from rose-scented pelargoniums.

There are various types of "geranium oils" which derive
from cultivated species of rose-scented pelargoniums.
primarily: P.graveolens, P.odoratissimum, P.readens,
P.capitatum and hybrid varieties such as P.x asperum.

The Pelargoniums family is composed of more that 400
species of tender schrubs.
It is native to South Africa, the geranium is mainly cultivated
throughout the world for ornamental purposes. There
are three growing regions for the production: Reunion Islands
( produce the bourbon-type geranium oils) Egypt and Russia.
A relatively inexpensive geranium oil from China is increasingly
available, but it has a less sweet aroma.

History:
The name pelargonium derives from the Greek, pelargos,
meaning "stork". of whose head and bill the seed head
resembles graviolens meaning .....aromatic or strong smelling.
Pelargoniums came to Europe in the early 1600's as ornamental plants
and in 1819 the French chemist Recluz first distilled the leaves
for the essential oil. Rose-scented pelargoniums are rarely used
in herbal medicine, though two distantly related wild species of true
geranium play an important role. These are the herb Robert (Geranium
robertianum) and the American cranesbill (Geranium maculatum,). Herbs
which have been used since antiquity. Modern research shows these
plants to be astringent, anti-inflammatory, and vulnerary(aid the healing of
wounds.) which reflects their traditional uses in herbal medicine.
Herbalists employed extracts of true geranium for conditions such as
diarrhoea and dysentery, and to heal cuts and wounds, ulcers and sores.

Geranium oil is captured by steam distillation of the leaves, stalks and flowers.
This produces a greenish liquid with a piercing, sweet, rosy aroma, often with
an unexpected hint of mint. The odour effect is generally perceived as
refreshing and uplifting. Some describe it as enlivening and others say its
calming. It is therefore described as “balancing” and has gained a reputation
as gently uplifting the dispirited and lowering stress levels in anyone nervy
and anxious.
Geranium has a number of medicinal actions. The oil is
primarily antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent.,analgesic, cicatrisant
(stimulates the growth of healthy skin cells.),fungicidal, insect repellent, diuretic,
phlebotonic ( strengthens the veins) and haemostatic ( arrests bleeding)

Geranium is widely used in commercial skin care products. Geranium's antiseptic, astringent and cicatrisant properties make it an excellent ingredient in home-made
skin care products for combination to oily skin. It is also useful on drier areas of
the skin prone to thread veins. Helpful as a supportive treatment of acne and certain
forms of eczema. The oil can also be used to treat mild burns,bruises,ringworm,athlete
s foot, shingles, haemorrhoids ( to reduce pain and inflammation), facial neuralgia,
cuts and wounds. It's also good for tiredness end convalescence.

Several clients of aromatherapists have suggested that the oil exerts a beneficial
effect on the female menstrual cycle, helping to regulate periods and reduce
symptoms of PMS as it has the ability to reduce fluid retention, a major symptom of
PMS. Fluid retention is implicated in other PMS symptoms such as swollen breasts,
headaches, and mood swings. Many have also found it useful during menopause,
primarily for its mood-elevating aroma.
Its also used as mouthwashes, and gargles for sore throats and gum infections,
although its strong, floral tastes.

Inspiring and creative massage blends to try:

Niagara (cooling and uplifting)
10 ml diluted geranium oil
5 ml sweet almond oil
1 drop pure peppermint essential oil
1 drop pure clary sage essential oil
2 drops pure lavender essential oil


Jubilee ( sweet, warming and earthy)
10 ml diluted geranium oil
5 ml sweet almond oil
2 drops pure sandalwood essential oil
1 drop pure ylang ylang essential oil
1 drop pure ginger essential oil

Geranium oil harmonizes with virtually all other oils.
Ylang ylang
rosemary
clary sage
Marjoram
Lavender
Petit-grain,
Cedarwood
and
Sandalwood

Bath Time:

Think Pink.....bath blends for mood-elevating baths.

Rose of Eastern promise
2.5ml diluted geranium oil
2 drops pure mandarin essential oil
1 drop pure palmarosa essential oil
1 drop pure ylang ylang essential oil

Sunset Rose
2.5ml diluted geranium oil
2 drops pure lavender essential oil
2 drops pure Roman camomile essential oil

Rosy Glow
2.5ml diluted geranium oil
1 drop pure Helichrysum essential oil
3 drops pure Bergamot essential oil

Refreshing skin tonic
5 ml cider vinegar
4 drops pure geranium essential oil
100ml distilled water
plastic funnel
coffee filter paper
Pour the cider vinegar into a dark glass bottle. Add the
essential oils and shake well to disperse the oil droplets.
Pour the distilled water into the bottle through the plastic funnel
and shake again. Leave the mixture to stand overnight.
Next day, shake the bottle well before pouring the tonic through
a coffee filter paper into a jug. Use the funnel to pour the
filtered mixture back into the dark bottle. Store the skin tonic
in a cool dark,and dry place and use within 4 weeks. Apply
morning and evening with cotton wool after cleansing the skin.

Especially for the Men:

If you have some rose-scented geraniums growing nearby,
here is a recipe for a gently astringent, mildly antiseptic aftershave
formula. If rubbed well into the roots of a beard, it will also help
to keep scurf at bay.

Aftershave:
30 g rose-scented geranium leaves
300ml cider vinegar
coffee filter paper

Bruise the leaves in a pestle and mortar to release the essential oil
then place in a glass jar. Pour the cider vinegar over the geranium
leaves, then cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Leave to infuse for
10-14 days, then strain through a coffee filter paper into a glass jug.
Pour the strained liquid back into the jar.
Use diluted after shaving by mixing 5ml of the vinegar
mixture with 20ml of distilled water. Alternatively, use
the diluted mixture several times a week to perfume
and condition a beard. A cosmetic bottle with a fine
mist spray is ideal for applying the aftershave, otherwise
put some in the palm of the hand and splash it on.
Store the undiluted mixture in a cool, dry, dark place and
use within 3 months.

Oil Burners;

Midnight oil blends for when you have to work or study:

Mensa
2 drops pure geranium essential oil
2 drops pure rosemary essential oil
4 drops pure lemon essential oil

or

Einstein
2 drops pure geranium essential oil
1 drop pure peppermint essential oil
2 drops pure eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops pure lavender essential oil.
Fill the small bowl of a burner with water. Add the oils
Light a night light to heat the oil.

If you don't have a burner put the same combination
of oils ( 4 drops in all) onto a tissue or handkerchief
and inhale deeply from time to time. This is a far
better alternative than drinking cups of coffee as
inhaling essential oils does not over stimulate the
nervous system, so you won't have a problem getting
to sleep later.

Healing with Geranium

Geranium's help to alleviate mild depression, anxiety,
nervous tension and other stress-related states. Use for
restoring flagging energy levels and uplifting the spirits.
On the body:
Geranium is helpful for skin care, many ailments such as
burns and scalds, eczema, head lice, ringworm, athlete's foot
shingles, facial neuralgia, haemorrhoids, poor circulation, breast
discomfort ( while breastfeeding or as a symptom of PMS),
menopausal distress and symptoms of PMS.





Serena blend:
Use as a massage oil or in the bath. When you have PMS massage
this oil into your body immediately after a bath (or a shower). Either apply
the oil over your whole body or concentrate on the most sensitive
areas, such as the solar plexus region (the soft are beneath the
diaphragm where the ribs make a V-shape), the back of the neck and
soles of the feet. Relax for five minutes. Afterwards, you will feel
refreshed and revitalized.

10 ml diluted geranium oil
5 ml sweet almond oil
1 drop pure camomile essential oil
1 drop pure helichrysum essential oil

Harmony bath blend:
for in the bath:
2.5ml diluted geranium oil
1 drop pure frankincense essential oil
1 drop pure marjoram essential oil
2 drops pure mandarin essential oil

Ringworm ointment
50 g unperfumed cream or ointment
8 drops pure geranium essential oil
6 drops pure lavender essential oil
6 drops pre tea tree essential oil

Put the cream or ointment into a spotlessly
clean glass pot, then stir in the essential oil
with the handle of a teaspoon and cover tightly.
Apply two or three times a day.

Haemorrhoid ointment:
6 drops pure geranium essential oil 
6 drops pure frankincense essential oil
6 drops pure cypress essential oil

Healing oil for bruises:
10 ml diluted geranium essential oil
2 drops pure lavender essential oil
2 drops pure sweet marjoram essential oil

mix well and apply three times a day.

When massaging on the solar plexus always
massage in a clock wise direction.