I want to make this clear, that I have never used geranium oil myself, and neither has my husband (though I want to experiment with it). But I know what a hardy plant it is (it grows like a weed in our yard, and if you break off a branch it can continue to grow with no soil or water). Which made me think it might be particularly high in antioxidants, as it seems to have a very high resistance to oxidative stress and decay, which other plants are more susceptible to. I looked it up and yes, it's full of antioxidants, and it could be good for you... at least, for your skin, if you take an amount that's not toxic, and a brand that's safe.

I'm going to admit, I don't have experience with this, but I'm going to try it. Please do some research for yourself.

The main reason I decided to post this here, is because I know that people with cirrhosis tend to have problems with a high INR (blood clotting problems) and when I read this article, Dr. Axe mentioned that it helps with blood clotting (it's #5 in the list). So, I'm emailing this article to a few people I know, who are taking care of loved ones with cirrhosis. I can't tell you how much to take, or whether you should take it at all. A person with cirrhosis is EXTREMELY fragile. But I still think it's worth looking into.

I highlighted the parts of the article that I think would be interesting for those who have cirrhosis. People with cirrhosis are also at a higher risk for infection, and this does seem to be an anti-bacterial.

Also, I have written a different post about clotting (with Vitamin K and CoQ10), which you can read HERE.

Ellie

Original article can be found here:
https://draxe.com/10-geranium-oils-benefits-healthy-skin-much/

15 Geranium Oil Benefits for Healthy Skin and Much More

Geranium oil is commonly used as an element in aromatherapy for its many health benefits. It’s used as a holistic treatment to improve your physical, mental and emotional health. Used by the Egyptians for promoting beautiful and radiant skin, geranium oil is now used to treat acne, reduce inflammation, alleviate anxiety and balance hormones. This sweet-smelling oil can also uplift your mood, lessen fatigue and promote emotional wellness.

Wondering what the best uses for geranium oil are? Find Out HERE

Geranium oil is nontoxic, nonirritant and generally non-sensitizing — and the therapeutic properties of include being an antidepressant, an antiseptic and wound-healing. Geranium oil may also be one of the best oils for such diverse dermatological problems as oily or congested skin, eczema, and dermatitis. (1)

Geranium oil is extracted through steam distillation of stems and leaves of the geranium plant. The main components of this oil include alpha pinene, myrcene, limonene, menthone, linalool, geranyl acetate, citronellol, geraniol and geranyl butyrate.

Geranium Oil Benefits

Some of the most common geranium essential oil benefits are:

Balances hormones
Relieves stress
Reduces depression
Minimizes inflammation
Improves circulation
Alleviates the effects of menopause
Improves dental health
Reduces blood pressure
Benefits the health of your skin
Improves dental health

When an essential oil like geranium oil can address serious health issues like these, then you need to try it! This is a natural and safe tool that will improve your skin, mood and internal health.

15 Geranium Oil Uses

1. Wrinkle Reducer – Because geranium oil is an astringent, it induces contractions in several parts of the body. It has the power to minimize the look of wrinkles because it tightens facial skin and slows down the effects of aging. Add two drops of geranium oil to your face lotion and apply it twice daily. After a week or two, you will see the look of your wrinkles begin to fade away.

2. Muscle Toner – Geranium oil helps in tightening and contracting muscles– this is again due to its astringent properties. It can prevent your muscles and skin from sagging, and it can give you a more toned abdominal section. Create a massage oil by mixing five drops of geranium oil with one tablespoon of jojoba oil and massage it into your skin, focusing on your muscles.

3. Infection Fighter – The antibacterial properties found in geranium oil help to protect your body from infection. Geranium oil can stop bacteria from growing on the skin, like on a wound. To do this, rub two drops of geranium oil onto the affected area and cover it with gauze; you can repeat this remedy twice a day until the wound or cut is healed. (2)

When you use geranium oil to fight external infection, your immune systemcan focus on your internal functions and keep you healthier. Athlete’s foot, for example, is a bacterial infection that can be cured with geranium oil. To do this, add give drops of geranium oil to a foot bath with warm water and sea salt; do this twice daily for the best results.

4. Healing Helper – Geranium oil helps to speed up the healing process of cuts, wounds and incisions. It also helps in fading the look of scars and other spots on the skin quickly. Because geranium oil has powerful cicatrisant properties, it increases blood circulation right below the surface of the skin — this helps with the healing of spots caused by acne, cuts or wounds, surgical incisions or skin irritations.

5. Blood Clot Inducer – Geranium oil causes the contraction of blood vessels and, therefore, helps to stop blood flow; it also speeds up the formation of blood clots. This helps in the healing of wounds or incisions, and it keeps toxins from entering the body. This health benefits will even help to prevent hemorrhoids. Try adding one drop of geranium oil to ice cream or frozen soy milk. You can also add the oil to a teaspoon of wheat germ or flaxseeds.

6. Cell Growth Supporter – Geranium oil promotes cell growth; it helps to recycle dead cells and supports the regeneration of new cells. This will allow your metabolism to work more effectively. By using geranium oil in a diffuser or vaporizer, you can take advantage of this amazing benefit.

7. Urination Increaser – An increase in urination means fewer toxins in the body, and being that geranium oil is a diuretic, it will promote urination. Through urination, you release toxic chemicals, heavy metals, sugar, sodium and pollutants. Urination also removes excess bile and acids from the stomach.

8. Natural Deodorant – Geranium oil is a circulatory oil, which means that it exits the body through perspiration. Now your sweat will smell like flowers! Because geranium oil has antibacterial properties, it aids in eliminating bodily odors and can be used as a natural deodorant. The rose-like smell of geranium oil is a perfect way to keep you smelling fresh every day. Add five drops of geranium oil to a spray bottle and mix it with five tablespoons of water; this is a natural and beneficial perfume that you can use every day.

9. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Preventer – Geranium oil is shown to trigger microglial cells, which release pro-inflammatory agents that combat inflammation in neural pathways – therefore preventing the formation of neuro-degenerative diseases. Geranium oil works with the natural chemistry of the brain to prevent these scary conditions that lead to memory loss.

10. Skin Enhancer – Geranium oil helps in the treatment of acne, dermatitis and skin diseases. Try mixing a teaspoon of coconut oil with five drops of geranium oil, then rub the mixture onto the infected area twice a day until you see results. You can also add two drops of geranium oil to your daily face or body wash.

11. Respiratory Infection Killer – Geranium oil can prevent nose and throat infections, as it contains several chemicals that have antibiotic-like effects. When applied to the nose or throat, topically, the oil has a soothing effect and will reduce soreness. To take advantage of this benefit, use a diffuser, inhale geranium oil twice a day, or rub the oil on your throat and under your nostrils.

12. Nerve Painkiiller – Geranium oil has the power to fight nerve pain when it’s applied to the skin. Developing research suggests that applying rose geranium oil to the skin can significantly reduce pain that follows shingles, a condition caused by the herpes virus. Research suggests that the strength of the product used matters, as geranium oil in a concentration of 100 percent appears to be about twice as effective as a 50 percent concentration, so keep that in mind when you are shopping for geranium essential oil.

To fight nerve pain with geranium oil, create a massage oil with three drops of geranium oil mixed with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Massage this beneficial mixture into your skin, focusing on the areas where you feel pain or tension.

13. Mental Functioning Improver – Geranium oil has the power to improve mental functioning and uplift your spirits. It’s known to help people who suffer from depression, anxiety and anger. The sweet and floral smell of geranium oil calms and relaxes the body and mind.

14. Anti-inflammatory Agent – Inflammation has been found to be associated with just about every health condition, and researchers are furiously investigating chronic inflammation’s effects on health and possible preventive medical applications. Research shows that geranium essential oil has significant potential for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs with improved safety profile.

Geranium oil inhibits the inflammatory responses in the skin; this helps your body to fight many health issues. Arthritis, for example, is inflammation of the joints, and heart disease is inflammation of the arteries. Instead of taking a medication to reduce joint pain or lower cholesterol, reducing inflammation in the body is vital.

A 2013 study found that geranium oil is a safer and more effective ingredient for anti-inflammatory medication. Data supports that geranium oil reduces inflammation in the body, and there are fewer side effects from this essential oil than cholesterol and joint pain medications. (3)

15. Insect Repellant and Bug Bite Healer – Geranium oil is used as a natural bug repellant. To make your own bug repellant, mix geranium oil with water and spray it on your body – this is much safer than sprays that are filled with chemicals. You can also add baking soda to this mixture to boost the effects. It also heals insect bites and stops itching; use it as a massage oil on itchy or irritated spots for relief.

Research, Unique Compounds and Studies

One interesting study measured the effects of geranium oil’s ability to suppress candida cell growth in mice. The mice intravaginally received geranium essential oil, and this significantly decreased the amount of candida cells in the vaginal cavity. These findings suggest that vaginal application of geranium oil or its main component, geraniol, suppressed Candida cell growth vagina and inflammation. (4)

Another 2013 study, involving 20 patients, measured the effects of geranium oil on hemorrhage episodes. The study lasted 183 days; at the end, 75 percent of the patients felt an improvement with the treatment. With no adverse side effects, geranium oil proved to be a compound that significantly reduces the number of hereditary hemorrhage episodes that occurred in these patients. (5)

DIY Recipe

Homemade Conditioner

This homemade conditioner recipe is awesome, for it helps to restore the hairs natural pH, thus rehydrating the hair. The result is soft, luscious and healthy hair. Add 10 drops of geranium oil and see how it helps to condition your dry hair.

Total Time: 2 minutes

Uses: 20–30

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup water
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 drops of essential oils
BPA-free plastic bottles or glass bottle with dispenser

Customize Your Conditioner:

Rosemary or sage essential oils for all types of hair
Lemon, bergamot or tea tree essential oils for oily hair
Lavender, sandalwood or geranium essential oils for dry hair or dandruff

DIRECTIONS:

Mix ingredients together in eight-ounce spray bottle
Shake bottle before using and then spray hair
Leave in hair for five minutes, then rinse

Try adding five drops of geranium oil to this Homemade Butter Lotion. Conventional lotions can be full of chemicals and harmful synthetic fragrances, so this is a great alternative.

You can make your own geranium oil at home with just a few simple ingredients. Use the leaves of a geranium plant – the more leaves you use, the stronger the fragrance will be. Wash the leaves thoroughly and then dry them with a clean washcloth. Using a pestle and mortar, ground the leaves until they are completely mashed and let it sit for a few hours.

Then add a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil to smashed leaves; cover the mixture and let it sit for two weeks. You will notice the beautiful scent of your new oil; drain the leaves and keep it in an air-tight container.

Add geranium oil to your shampoo or conditioner. You can even mix it into your body soap or lotion.

Geranium Oil Side Effects

Geranium oil is usually applied to the skin, and some people can develop a rash or burning sensation. It’s best to test the oil on a small area first. Geranium oil can also cause eye irritation if applied to the face. If you take geranium oil by mouth, stick to consuming it in smaller amounts because the safety of the oil when taken in larger amounts is not known.

Being that geranium oil is a styptic, it causes the blood vessels to contract and slows down or stops the flow of blood. This can be a health concern for people with high blood pressure and who are at risk for cardiovascular diseases like stroke, atherosclerosis and heart attacks.

Geranium oil influences hormone secretions, so it’s not advised for use by pregnant women or for women who are breastfeeding. It’s still unclear whether or not these hormone secretion changes transfer to breast milk. Geranium oil should not be used on babies and young children due to the delicate nature of their skin and the possibility of toxicity.

It’s best to dilute geranium oil with a carrier oil when you are applying it directly to the skin. Try mixing geranium oil with equal parts coconut, jojoba or olive oil.