each roundtable, as to the the next featured oil is exciting,
and it is always a staff decision!

why geranium?
Geranium is one of the editorial directors favorites that became the the entire staffs. we sniffed, diiffused, wore and even ate geranium and the color of this plant is so bright and beautiful we all had our hands up when the final decision was made.

introducing geranium
Fresh, rosy and forever lingering in the air

Geranium oil is produced from a number of different varieties of the pelargonium. Escorting civilization before, during and after the ancient Greeks geranium continues to be used for its lingering fragrance and as an alternative medicine with amazing therapeutic properties. Pelargonium graveolens is one of the many fragrant species of Pelargonium used as a source of geranium oil. Geranium was regarded as an excellent healing agent that assisted in the body’s repair of cuts and bone fractures. It was also used by the North American Indian tribes who drank a tea made from the powdered roots of the plant to help combat dysentery (severe, often bloody diarrhea, vomiting and fever) and untreated cuts and ulcers

The woody, perennial herb is native to South Africa and  is produced in Egypt, France, Algeria, Morocco and Spain. Pelargonium graveolens has also been recorded in Zimbabwe. the geographic source of an aromatic plant is an important consideration in selecting an essential oil. Climate, soil fertility and the time of harvest are all important factors affecting the quality  of the oil. This is particularly the case with geranium oil. The geranium plant flourishes in mild and subtropical climates. Actual time of harvesting is dependent on the stage of plant growth and the scent of crushed leaves should turn from a lemony to a rose scent. Only leaves and young shoots should be used because this is where most of the oil is derived and harvesting wet plants will cause poor oil recovery during distillation. The herb is cut in the morning in sunny, dry weather. Distillation begins after a few hours of field drying. There are several types of geranium oil, the main ones being Reunion or Bourbon, Algerian, Moroccan, and French. A true Bourbon type available from Reunion is considered the bestand oil derived from it receives a premium price in the market. 

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during the victorian era, rose geranium was often kept in parlors where fresh leaves were always available to revive the senses.