At The Angelina Store, we’re blooming with excitement over geranium—one of our star scents in Les Fleurs du Melt! This floral wonder, with its rosy-green charm and a fresh, herbaceous undertone, dances through our eco-friendly wax melts, filling your space with joy. We also cherish geranium in our skincare products, like the Malar Serum Gel and Florals & Frankincense anti-aging line, for its skin-soothing and glow-boosting magic. We’ve dyed our geranium melts a vibrant red, but in nature, this plant blooms in a rainbow of hues. Let’s dive into geranium’s roots, harvest, healing powers, and skincare magic.

A Botanical Introduction

Geranium, known scientifically as Pelargonium graveolens, is a proud member of the Geraniaceae family. Often called rose geranium for its rosy aroma with a fresh, herbaceous undertone, this shrubby perennial boasts velvety, scalloped leaves and clusters of delicate flowers. Native to South Africa, it’s a garden favorite worldwide, thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil. What makes geranium extra special? Its blooms come in a stunning array of colors—think soft whites, blush pinks, fiery reds, and even deep purples—adding a painter’s palette to any garden.

In my own garden, I’ve grown geraniums in white and pink, their petals glowing like little jewels against the green foliage. These colors inspired the vibrant red hue of our Les Fleurs du Melt, a nod to the plant’s versatility and beauty. Whether you’re admiring a scarlet bloom or a snowy cluster, geranium’s charm lies in its ability to brighten both your garden and your senses with its floral magic.

Where It Grows and How It’s Harvested

Geranium thrives in temperate climates, with major cultivation in South Africa, Egypt, Madagascar, and parts of China. It loves warm, sunny days and cooler nights, which enhance its oil production—perfect for places like the Cape Provinces, where it originated. Farmers plant geranium in well-drained, loamy soil, often on slopes to prevent waterlogging, and it grows into bushy shrubs reaching up to 3 feet tall. The plants are hardy, surviving light frosts, but they truly shine in frost-free zones where they can bloom year-round.

Harvesting is a labor of love, done by hand to ensure quality. Farmers cut the leaves and stems just before the flowers fully bloom, when the oil content is at its peak—usually in the early morning to avoid heat stress on the plant. The cuttings are bundled and rushed to distillation within hours to lock in the freshest, most potent aroma. This careful process ensures every drop of geranium oil carries the essence of those colorful blooms, from my garden’s pinks to our melts’ radiant red.

From Plant to Essential Oil: The Extraction Process

Geranium essential oil is crafted through steam distillation, a gentle method that preserves the plant’s natural goodness. Freshly harvested leaves and stems are loaded into a still, where steam is passed through the plant material. The heat releases the aromatic compounds, which rise with the steam and then cool in a condenser, separating into oil and water. The result? A bright, rosy-green oil with hints of citrus and mint, capturing the spirit of geranium’s colorful blooms in every drop.

The process takes about 3–4 hours, and it’s a delicate balance—too much heat can degrade the oil’s quality, while too little won’t extract enough. It takes roughly 200 pounds of geranium leaves to produce just one pound of essential oil, making it a precious ingredient. That’s why we cherish every ounce in our products. We use premium fragrance oils for our candles and melts, and feature geranium as one of four scents in our Les Fleurs du Melt wax melts, blending it into eco-friendly soy wax to bring you a scent as vibrant as the red we’ve dyed our melts, inspired by geranium’s diverse hues.

Medicinal Properties: Nature’s Healer

Geranium has been a medicinal ally for centuries, used by traditional healers in South Africa and beyond. Its essential oil is packed with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a natural remedy for minor cuts, burns, and infections. Applied topically (diluted, of course!), it can reduce swelling and speed up wound healing, thanks to compounds like citronellol and geraniol. It’s also a natural insect repellent—perfect for keeping mosquitoes at bay during a garden picnic.

Beyond the physical, geranium oil is said to balance hormones, which may ease menstrual cramps or menopausal symptoms—though more research is needed to confirm these effects. Herbalists also use it to reduce water retention and improve circulation, giving your body a gentle detox boost. Whether you’re soothing a scrape or seeking hormonal harmony, geranium’s healing touch is as vibrant as its pink and white blooms, bringing a bit of nature’s medicine to your day.

Aromatherapeutic Benefits: Mood and Health Magic

In aromatherapy, geranium oil is a mood-lifting marvel, perfect for those moments when you need a little sunshine. Its floral-citrus scent, with an herbal undertone, calms anxiety and melts away stress, making it a go-to for unwinding after a long day. Inhaling its vapors can ease tension headaches and promote emotional balance, acting as a natural antidepressant. Diffusing geranium essential oil while sipping tea creates a serene space where worries fade like petals on the breeze.

Geranium’s grounding aroma also inspires mindfulness, making it ideal for meditation or a quiet evening with loved ones. Some studies suggest it may even lower blood pressure by reducing stress hormones—your heart will thank you! Geranium’s scent wraps you in a floral hug, lifts your spirits and soothes your soul.

Skincare Wonder: Geranium’s Glow

Geranium essential oil is a skincare superstar, loved for its ability to balance and beautify. Its astringent properties tighten pores and regulate sebum production, making it a lifesaver for oily or acne-prone skin. At the same time, it soothes irritation and redness, so it’s gentle enough for sensitive types. We’ve harnessed its magic in our Malar Serum Gel, where it calms inflammation and hydrates, and in our Florals & Frankincense anti-aging line, where it teams up with frankincense to smooth fine lines and restore radiance.

Rich in antioxidants, geranium oil also fights free radicals, helping to slow signs of aging like dullness and wrinkles. It boosts circulation, giving your complexion a natural, youthful glow that rivals the geraniums in my garden. Add a few drops to your moisturizer or try our geranium-infused products for hydration and a rosy scent that lingers like a garden breeze—your skin will feel as vibrant as the red hue of our Les Fleurs du Melt!