Descriptions of Plants: Rose Geranium
The “Attar of Roses”
Family: Geraniaceae
INCI: Pelargonium capitatum / Pelargonium graveolens
Parts Used: Leaves - Glandular tissue
Life Cycle: Annual
Our Uses: Hydrosols
Aroma: An uplifting floral. Herbal and green with undertones of mint and citrus.
Good For: Tonic, regenerative, balancing, humectant.
High in: Antioxidants. Antiseptic and allergenic properties, hydrocarbons and oxides which are calming and sedative.
Commonly referred to as “geranium”, the rose geranium plants we’ll be discussing are actually “pelargoniums” (of which there are over 700 different varietals) and they differ from the geranium garden plant (whose botanical name is Geranium macrorrhizum). Geranium, while similar in appearance, does not produce marked topical and therapeutic benefits. Pelargoniums, by contrast, deliver wonderfully rich and complex essential oils and hydrosols, full of antioxidant, antiseptic and allergenic properties, all enveloped in a delicate rose fragrance. You get the same aroma when you touch or brush up against their leaves, which stays with you for a while. The glands in the base of the hairs on the leaves contain volatile oils that transfer its floral aromatic bouquet.
Originally from South Africa, the plant was brought to the island of Reunion, about 400 miles east of Madagascar, in the late 19th century where it soon became the primary producer in the world. Shortly thereafter, it was brought to France, in the Grasse region, where the French noticed the plant grew taller and bushier, thereby producing more essential oil laden leaves. Since pelargoniums adapt differently to different conditions and climates, the scent of French pelargoniums is sweeter, whereas those from Reunion contain more citronellol, making the aroma of a more citrus nature. A symbol of love, rose geranium was often used in herbal love sachets once the plant originally reached Europe in the late 17th century. It was regarded as a protective herb, exemplified in an old herbal adage: “Snakes will not go, where geraniums grow.”
Its “use” outside of being a wonderful plant for pollinators in the garden, is centered in essential oil and hydrosol production. Depending on the varietal and growing conditions (climate, soil, and care), it takes approximately 200 pounds of leaf material to make 1 oz of essential oil, or 50 gallons of hydrosol.
While at Maison/Made we work primarily with the hydrosol, the EO is widely used in aromatherapy, particularly for its relaxation-inducing aroma and as a gentle inflammatory reducing remedy. It is also highly regarded for issues with the nervous system, providing positive therapeutic benefits for anxiety, agitation, and nervous fatigue. It is, perhaps obviously, also widely used for its fragrance properties to provide a floral scent in personal care products.
The hydrosol is, simply put, a wonderfully uplifting experience. Misting the face with rose geranium’s hydrosol is like walking through an archway of roses after a warm summer rain, the aroma providing an immediate mood boost and its hydrosol a cooling rejuvenating tonic to the skin. Encouraging circulation, this hydrosol is also exceptional in protecting from pollution. Mildly antibacterial and anti-fungal, as a tonic astringent it provides beneficiary properties for acne, bruises, and burns and works particularly well for dry and oily skin.
This growing season was our first year planting Pelargonium capitatum in our jardin in Burgundy, and we are very pleased with how it's taken to our soil and Biodynamic preparations. We chose this specific species of pelargoniums not only for its propensity for a high content of hydrophilic phytonutrient compounds, but also for its historical lore, know as the “attar of roses” while prominently planted in the early Victorian gardens in England during the 19th century.
It’s not a plant that overwinters easily, so in the fall we’ll dig them out of the earth, dry them, and store the primary stems in the cellar. Then, in early spring, we’ll replant them to allow them to come back bigger and better! We love to apply the various techniques for the over 40 different plant species we cultivate in our garden, utilizing both the Biodynamic methods and the family “secrets” to truly understand our plants. This is particularly true for our rose geraniums as, as we mentioned, they are specifically reactive to different soils, climates, and care, meaning that ours will produce a subtly different blend of bioactive phytonutrients than those grown in other parts of France, Egypt, Reunion, etc. All this to say that we can’t wait to share with you what we have coming very soon. 🤗
Sources:
Rose, J. (1999) - 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols. Berkeley, CA. North Atlantic Books.
Schnaubelt, K. (2011) - The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy. Rochester, VA. Healing Arts Press.
De la Foret, R. (2017) - Alchemy of Herbs. Carlsbad, CA. Hay’s House.
Fisher, C. (2018) - Materia Medica of Western Herbs. London, GB. Aeon Books.
Hoffmann, D. (2003) - Medical Herbalism. The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VA. Healing Arts Press.
Lis-Balchin, M. (2002) - Geranium and Pelargonium: History of Nomenclature, Usage and Cultivation. CRC Press.
Verma, R., Padalia R., Chauhan, A. (2016) - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124166417000791