The American plant "cranesbill" (G. maculatum) & the British herbal plant "robert" (Geranium robertanium), are the most widely used geranium types for herbal medicine. They share much in common with the rose geranium. During the 1600s, European gardeners would plant geraniums around their homes to ward off evil spirits. However, the essential oil of the rose geranium is not extracted from the house plant. The essential oil of the rose geranium has been used since antiquity to treat conditions of dysentery, hemorrhoids, inflammation, & excessive bleeding during menstrual flow. Geranium is a perennial, hairy shrub that grows up to 3 feet tall. It has pointed, serrated leaves & small pink flowers. The entire plant is aromatic.

The essential oil is produced from steam distillation from the leaves, stalks & flowers. An absolute & concrete are also produced in Morocco. The oil is an olive green color with a rosy-sweet, minty scent. Geranium is used as a fragrant component in soaps, creams, & perfumes. Geranium's properties have been claimed to be antidepressant, antihemorrhagic, antiflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, deodorant, diuretic, fungicidal, tonic, & vermifuge. Geranium may help with acne, bruises, broken capillaries, burns, congested skin, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, hormonal imbalances, lice, mature skin, oily complexion, ringworm, ulcers, and wounds.
Native to South Africa, geranium is also cultivated in Russia, Egypt, Congo, Japan, Central America, and Europe. The essential oil is produced in Reunion ( Bourbon), Egypt, and Russia.

Chemical constituents are terpene alcohols (geraniol, citronellol, and linalol); citronellyle formulate; ketones (isomenthone); terpenes (guaiadiene); & oxides. Safety Data: Repeated use can cause contact sensitization in some people.