Guide to Rose Geranium Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Made from a variation of the geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) plant that produces the more common geranium essential oil, rose geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens var. roseum or Pelargonium roseum) has a scent that smells more like roses. The properties of the two oils are similar but can vary depending on the specific plant and growing location.

Plant family: Geraniaceae

Production: Steam distilled from the leaves of the plant.

Aroma: Floral, somewhat similar to geranium, but with notes of rose.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle.

Is rose geranium safe to use during pregnancy? No, according to Aromatherapist KG Stiles.

Is rose geranium essential oil safe for children? Yes, according to Revive Oils.

Main components: Citronellol, geraniol, linalool.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil Benefits

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Dummies: Rose geranium positively affects stress, depression, mood imbalances, and insomnia. The oil's regenerative properties improve the general condition and appearance of the skin, making the oil useful in facial and body products.

Rose Geranium for Women

KG Stiles believes rose geranium is one of the best essential oils for women to support the reproductive system, nervous system, and emotional resilience, with these benefits:

• Supports hormonal balance and regulates mood, helping ease emotional swings linked to PMS, menopause, and stress.
• Uplifts gently and connects you to your body’s natural rhythms—making the oil helpful for relieving mood swings, apathy, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, and tearfulness.
• Stimulates circulation and lymphatic flow and is especially helpful for fluid retention, breast tenderness, and tissue congestion.
• Works for all skin types, gently balancing oil production, calming redness, and encouraging healing of many skin conditions.

Diffuse this blend during cycles of emotional change or hormonal fluctuation:

• 3 drops rose geranium
• 2 drops clary sage essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot essential oil

Lymphatic Massage Oil

Use this blend to massage your legs and torso with upward strokes.

• 5 drops rose geranium
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 3 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Tender Breast Relief

Blend 2 drops rose geranium with 1 teaspoon carrier oil. Gently massage over tender areas.

Ayurvedic Benefits

Stiles also notes that in ayurvedic medicine, rose geranium balances all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. The oil's sweet floral aroma calms and centers, gently grounding while also uplifting and opening the heart. Energetically, this essential oil resonates with the heart chakra, helping restore trust, open emotional blockages, and return you to your intuitive flow.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil Uses and Blends

Women's Blends

Premenstrual Tension, Cramps and Bloating

Massage this blend, as needed, onto abdomen (in a clockwise direction, gently gliding over the bladder) and the lower back:

• 5 drops rose geranium oil
• 2 drops juniper berry essential oil
• 1 drop cypress essential oil
• 10 ml (about 2 teaspoons) carrier oil

Menopause Spray for Hot Flashes

Add to a 60-ml spray bottle:

• 5 drops rose geranium
• 2 drops clary sage essential oil

Fill bottle with distilled water. Close bottle and shake well before each use. Spray onto face (avoiding eyes) and wrists when you feel a hot flash starting.

Source: Moon Haven Aromatherapy

Diffuser Blends

Uplifting Diffuser Blend

• 2 drops rose geranium
• 2 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil

Emotional Balance Diffuser Blend

• 3 drops rose geranium
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops clary sage essential oil

Source: Australian Wholesale Oils

Hair Care

For a balancing effect on hair, add a few drops of rose geranium to your bottle of natural shampoo.

For Split Ends

In a 30-ml glass bottle combine:

• 7 drops rose geranium
• 7 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 5 teaspoons argan oil

Shake well and apply a small amount to ends between shampoos. Suitable for all hair types.

Source: 150 Ways to Use Essential Oils

Facial Care

Facial Oil for Radiant, Balanced Skin

• 3 drops rose geranium
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil

Apply to face nightly. Source: KG Stiles

For Oily Skin

• 5 drops rose geranium essential oil
• 7 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) jojoba oil

Combination Skin Facial Cream

• 3 drops rose geranium essential oil
• 3 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) carrier oil or unscented facial moisturizer

Source: Floracopeia Essential Oil Recipes

Lip Balm

Use to soften and heal rough, dry lips.

• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) aloe vera oil
• 2 drops rose geranium essential oil
• 1 drop neroli essential oil
• 1 drop roman chamomile essential oil
• 1 drop rose essential oil

Add all ingredients to a roller-ball glass tube or dark-colored glass bottle. Cap and shake well to blend. Use the roller-ball or your fingertips to apply the lip balm to the lips, as needed.

Source: Essential Oils Natural Remedies

Hand Cream

Makes about 20 ounces.

• 1 cup aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon lanolin
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 to 3/4 ounce beeswax
• 3/4 cup sweet almond oil
• 1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon rose geranium essential oil
• Glass jars with lids

1. Place the aloe vera, lanolin, and vitamin E oil in a blender or food processor. Blend until combined.
2. Place the coconut oil and beeswax in a 2-cup glass measuring cup. Set the cup in a pan of water over low heat and stir until the mixture is fully melted.
3. Stir in the almond oil. Remove from heat.
4. With the blender or processor set at low to medium speed, pour the melted mixture in a thin stream. Stop blender when you have a mayonnaise-like consistency.
5. Add essential oils. Pulse blender, making sure not to over blend.
6. Spoon cream into glass jars.

Source: Organic Beauty With Essential Oil

Bath Salts

Use these bath salts to help relieve body aches:

• 2 drops rose geranium
• 2 drops clary sage essential oil
• 2 drops elemi essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 tablespoon castile soap
• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 2 tablespoons Epsom or Himalayan salt

1. Add essential oils, jojoba, and castile soap to a glass bowl. Stir well.
2. Add salt and stir to combine.
3. Run a warm bath. Enter tub and add salt mixture.

Do not use during pregnancy.

Source: Melissa Clymer CCAP, CFAP. "Soothe the Aches Bath Salt." NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Summer 2017.2, p. 74.

Autumn Renewal Blend

Autumn refers to the third season of life—the time of mature adulthood to slow down and enjoy achievements. This renewal blend lifts the spirits and renews enthusiasm for life.

Add these essential oils to a 5-ml dark-color glass dropper bottle:

• 30 drops rose geranium
• 20 drops palmarosa essential oil
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• 20 drops cypress essential oil
• 10 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil
• 5 drops black spruce essential oil
• 5 drops coriander essential oil

Cap bottle tightly and shake vigorously to blend essential oils. Let the essential oils synergize for twelve hours or longer before using.

Use this blend in these ways:

• Diffuse: Add approximately 6 to 8 drops to an aromatherapy diffuser, according to manufacturer’s guidelines for use.
• Direct inhalation: Add one drop to a tissue and inhale. Avoid contact with mucous membranes.
• Room spray: Add 10 to 12 drops to a one-ounce spray bottle. Fill with distilled water (and a dispersant such as solubol, if desired). Shake well before each use. Spray lightly around a room.

Cautions: Keep out of reach of babies, young children, and pets. Avoid eyes.

Source: KG Stiles. "Essential Oils for the Autumn of Our Lives." NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Autumn 2018.3, p. 11.

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Rose Geranium Photo Credit: pépiniériste 85, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0