Geranium
Profile
| Latin Name | Pelargonium graveolens |
| Chinese Name | Shi La Hong |
| Family | Geraniaceae |
| Note | Top-Middle |
| Aroma | <Moderate> Rose-Citrus |
| Color | Yellow to Green Yellow |
| Parts Distilled | Leaves |
| Regions | Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar, Algeria, Reunion (highest quality) |
| Taste | Sweet Nature: Neutral |
| Affinity | LR/KI |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Monoterpenols (~55-65%), Esters (~20-30%) Skin Type: Dry, Mature, Sensitive (eczema, psoriasis, acne, impetigo) Dosage: 10% dilution; 1-2% dilution for skin |
TCM Categories
Functions
- Nourish Kidney yin and establish communication between Kidneys and Heart
- Calm the shen
- Regulate Liver Qi, for PMS, fibrocystic breast, jaundice
- Descend Stomach qi for food stasis and mildly nourish Stomach yin
- Astringe fluid and blood loss in the Lower Heater for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, varicose veins, lymph congestion yet will mildly promote urination
Indications
- Deficient Liver/Kidney Yin hypertension, menopause, and infertility
- (LR-8' CV-7' CV-1' CV-4' KI-1' KI-3 KI-6' LR-3)
- Wasting & Thirsting syndrome (Xiao-Ke) - diabetes (treat with the above points for Deficient Kidney Yin)
Topical Applications
- Apply 10% for burns, bleeding wounds, ulcers, and stretch marks.
- Apply 5% dilution as a foot soak for athlete's foot and as a sitz bath for candida (can add Niaouli or Tea Tree).
- Good harmonizer for massage oil blends,
Specific Protocols
- Apply directly to KI-3, KI-6, KI-9, CV-4, and CV-7 for Deficient Kidney Yin.
- 4% dilution of Geranium (50%), Sandalwood (25%), and Rose (25%) for HT-KI communication - apply to CV-17, CV-14, GB-22, and BL-
- 17. Given the cost of Rose, one can substitute for it with Clary Sage or Ylang Ylang (especially for menopausal depression).
Actions
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Hemostatic
- Immuno-stimulant
Contraindications & Cautions
- Estrogenic
Notes
- For anxiety with overwhelm
- Stop bleeding applied topically
- Does a lot of what rose does by more affordable
Additional Comments
- Sniffing can reduce blood pressure.
- Many chemotypes of Geranium have been identified, but none is currently distilled specifically for use.
From Class
- Lavender, rose, geranium (floral essences): Said to help move the spirit on. (Lewis)
- Rose, lavender, geranium for washing the body: Warm water with rose-petal essence or floral oils for ritually cleansing the body, helping the spirit move on. (Lewis)