Botanical Name: Pelargonium graveolens L'Her. ex Aiton.

Family: Geraniaceae.

Synonyms: Sweet-scented geranium, rose geranium.

Origin: Origin: Native to South Africa. Widely cultivated in Algeria, Egypt, China, France, Morocco, Reunion, Russia, Central America and Europe. Essential oil produced from plants grown in Reunion is called Bourbon geranium oil from the original name, Ile de Bourbon.

Botanical Description: An herbaceous perennial hairy shrub up to 1-meter (3 ft) high. It has pointed leaves which are serrated at the edges. The flowers are small and pink. The whole plant is very aromatic.

Extraction: Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh plants harvested at the time of initial bloom. The oil is greenish olive to greenish brown mobile liquid. More yellow as oil ages. Yield 0.15 to 0.2%.

Aroma Profile: Has a somewhat obnoxious sulfide top note. The middle note is rich, leafy-rosy, green with a fruity-minty undertone. The dry out is rich, long-lasting sweet-rosy.

Major Constituents: Geraniol (20%), citronellol (25%), linalool (15%), menthone, geranyl formate, guaiadiene-6,9.

Adulterants: Frequently adulterated with synthetic geraniol and citronellol. Natural adulterants include citronella oil.

Regulatory Status: GRAS 182.20.

Aromatherapy: Balancing, normalizing, uplifting.

Blends well with: Lavender, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, jasmine, juniper, bergamot, neroli, clove, cinnamon, ylang ylang.

Safety Data: Possible skin irritant. Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing.