Geranium has a delightful, fresh, green, rose-like scent and is an excellent balancing oil for all-round use and is especially popular with women.

Bourbon Geranium is considered the finest type of Geranium. It comes from the island of La Réunion (previously known as Île de Bourbon), 500 miles east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. The island has the ideal climate and soil conditions for production of geranium.

Pelargonium graveolens is clear to light green in colour and not to be confused with the household variety of geranium, which is a completely different species. It is a greenish coloured oil, with a very strong, well-balanced odour. The difference between this oil and the Egyptian or Chinese is so significant that Absolute Aromas also stocks an Egyptian Geranium.

Geranium blends very well with the citrus oils. It is deodorising, cleansing and uplifting as well as having good insect-repellent properties. The odour of the Bourbon Geranium is quite powerful and it may dominate over other oils in a blend.

Try blending 1 drop of Geranium with 2 drops of Lavender and 2 drops of Mandarin in a teaspoon of Sweet Almond oil for use as a relaxing, refreshing bath oil.

Alternatively, blend the same oils with two teaspoons of Peach Kernel oil for a special hydrating body moisturiser with a delicious aroma. In a diffuser or burner.

After a long haul flight, try blending together 2 drops of Geranium, 1 Drop each of Juniper and Lavender in 10 ml of Peach Kernel; massage in to the ankles to encourage elimination.