Galbanum Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Pelargonium graveolens
Common Method Of Extraction: Steam distilled
Parts Used: Flowers and flowering tops
Note Classification: Middle
Aroma: Herbaceous, green, sweet, slightly floral
Largest Producing Countries: Egypt, Reunion, Russia, and China
Traditional Use: Used as a fragrance component in all kinds of cosmetic products: soaps, creams, and perfumes. It is also is employed as a flavoring agent in most major food categories, alcoholic and soft drinks.
Properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antihemorrhagic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cicatrizant, deodorant, diuretic, fungicidal, haemostatic, regenerative, sedative, stimulant of the adrenal cortex, styptic, tonic, vermifuge, and vulnerary.
Benefits: Acne, antidepressant, athlete’s foot, balancing for both oily and dry skin, broken capillaries, bruises, burns, calming, cancer (uterine), candida, cellulitis, circulatory disorders, depression, dermatitis, diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, edema, engorgement of breasts, female reproductive disorders, fertility, gastralgia, glossitis, hemorrhoids, herpes, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, menopause, mosquito repellent, nervous tension, neuralgia (facial), ophthalmia, pediculosis, PMS, ringworm, shingles, sore throats, sterility, stimulates the psyche, stomatitis, tonsillitis, ulcers (internal and external), and wounds.
Blends Well With: Basil, bergamot, black pepper, chamomile roman, clary sage, clove, cypress, fennel, frankincense, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, mandarin, neroli, orange, palmarosa, patchouli, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.
Of Interest: During the 1600’s, Dutch sailors transported geraniums to Europe from Africa, which gardeners then planted to help ensure that no evil spirits would enter their homes. The Colonial Americans used geranium leaves to line baking pans to impart a delicate rose flavor to their cakes. There are approximately 700 varieties of geranium, only about 10 of which supply essential oil. Harvesting just as the leaves turn yellow captures the unique rose-like aroma; pervious to this, the aroma is lemonier.
Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-irritant, generally non-sensitizing; possible contact dermatitis in hypersensitive individuals, especially with the Bourbon type.