Geranium Oil: Benefits for Skin, Uses, Dilution & Side Effects

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Rub the leaf of a rose-scented geranium between your fingers and they'll smell of roses. That scent is the oil the plant makes in its leaves, and distilling the leaves and green stems of Pelargonium graveolens concentrates it into geranium oil.71 Two fragrant compounds lead the blend, citronellol and geraniol,4 and in lab studies both calmed the signals that drive inflammation.8

The plant's botanical name comes from the Greek pelargos, stork, for a shape that resembles a stork's beak.9 It has long been used on the skin, and the oil now has a human research record of its own, from anxiety before surgery to sore noses during chemotherapy.82

I'm a huge fan of geranium and geranium rose for your skin, because they work by naturally hydrating and moisturizing it.10

Did you know?

• The leaves change their chemistry as they grow: in rose-scented geranium, geraniol runs highest in young leaves, and citronellol rises as the leaves age.7

• Geranium oil and its compound geraniol are on the EPA's list of minimum-risk pesticide ingredients, the short list of natural ingredients an insect repellent can be built from without federal pesticide registration.11

• Geranium oil doesn't contain the stimulant DMAA (methylhexanamine): four labs tested 18 plant samples from six Pelargonium species and 9 geranium oils from around the world, and none had detectable amounts.12

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What is geranium oil?

No two bottles are exactly alike. In three oils analyzed for published studies, citronellol made up 26.43% to 30.35% of the oil and geraniol 12.52% to 15.54%.41415 A Palestinian oil carried 24.44% citronellol but only 1.57% geraniol,16 and an Egyptian oil led with a different compound, isomenthone, with only 5.53% citronellol and 6.16% geraniol.7 Where the plant grows shapes the blend too, and one classification sorts geranium oils into three main types:9

That variation is why a batch test report is worth asking for when you buy, covered in the buying section below.

A short history of geranium oil

Scented geraniums are native to the Cape of South Africa, and Europeans began growing them in the 18th century.9 Traditional healers used a tea of Pelargonium graveolens leaves for sleeplessness, diarrhea, dysentery and vomiting, and had people breathe the plant in for asthma.9 In Palestine and many other countries, the leaves are still used in traditional medicine for heart, dental, digestive and breathing complaints, and as a flavoring in food and tea,16 and in East Asia the oil was used for diarrhea, skin inflammation and inflamed intestines.8

Its use for sleeplessness points to a calming plant, and researchers have tested that. In mice, the oil eased anxious behavior, and the researchers wrote that their results confirm the traditional use of Pelargonium species as calming agents.17 Human trials have since tested it for anxiety, pain, fatigue and sleep, close to the role tradition gave it.218

What is geranium oil good for?

How does geranium oil work?

Here's how the lab, animal and human findings fit together on the skin:

For calm, a different route may be at work. In mice given the oil by injection, its calming effect disappeared when researchers blocked one of the brain's serotonin receptors, and held when they blocked the brain target of common anti-anxiety drugs, so they propose it calms through serotonin signaling.17

Geranium oil benefits, ranked by evidence

Ranked by evidence, geranium oil does the most for calm and comfort when you breathe it in, with encouraging results on the skin for nerve pain and for sores in the nose and mouth.

Is geranium oil good for your skin?

Geranium is on my short list of oils for your skin, alongside myrrh, tea tree and lavender.6 The face serum my wife, Chelsea, and I have used is simple: a little jojoba oil and a little pomegranate oil, with lavender, myrrh and geranium mixed in, and a lot of times frankincense too.10 When I shared it, I said oils like frankincense and geranium are good for both dry and oily skin, because they work to naturally balance out the oil on your skin.10

The one human test of geranium oil on skin oil points the same way. In a small test in which each of six people aged 16 to 26 tried every toner, a toner with just 0.25% geranium oil lowered the skin's output of sebum, its natural oil, and kept it lower for up to 2 hours.26 If your skin runs oily, see moisturizer for oily skin for more ideas.

Applied to the inflamed ears of mice, 5 or 10 microliters of rose geranium oil cut swelling by 73% and 88%, and a closer look at the skin confirmed the inflammation had calmed.15 In another mouse study, geranium oil applied to inflamed skin held back the build-up of neutrophils, and it appeared stronger at this than lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree oil.25 No trial has yet tested geranium oil on wrinkles or dry skin in people, and in the human studies where people applied it to their skin or the lining of the mouth, it was well tolerated when diluted.222

To use it on your face, smooth a few drops of the blend onto clean skin after your patch test. For dry skin on your body, use 2 to 3 drops per teaspoon, and the full dilution table is in how to use geranium oil. Essential oils for skin, anti-aging essential oils and moisturizer for dry skin have more recipes, and dry skin in winter covers the seasonal side.

Does geranium oil help anxiety and stress?

In the heart-attack trial, 3 drops of geranium oil went on a patch inside each patient's oxygen mask for 20 minutes a day, two days in a row, and neither the patients, the staff nor the people analyzing the results knew who got the oil and who got the placebo. Anxiety fell significantly more with geranium at every stage measured.3

Before surgery, it eased anxiety more than music did. In a randomized trial of 150 adults waiting for hernia repair, breathing geranium oil for 30 minutes lowered anxiety scores more than no treatment, and the drop was larger than with calming instrumental music; the comparison group had no placebo scent.192 A 0.5% geranium gel used on the skin for 60 days didn't lower anxiety significantly in a randomized trial of 14 nursing students.2

The oil has also been tried during labor. In a randomized trial of 100 first-time mothers in active labor, in which the women knew which treatment they got, 2 drops of diluted geranium oil on the collar for 20 minutes lowered anxiety scores from 56.75 to 52.73, while water lowered them from 53.45 to 52.31, and diastolic blood pressure fell more with geranium; the researchers didn't compare the anxiety drops between the groups.28 For home use in pregnancy, see who should be careful.

It can steady a long, tiring day as well. In a placebo-controlled trial of 84 ICU nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which neither the nurses nor the researchers knew who got what, breathing 1 drop of pure geranium oil for 20 minutes twice a shift, over three shifts, lowered fatigue more than placebo in every session, while fatigue held steady or rose slightly with sunflower oil. After the second session on day one, for example, fatigue fell from 4.64 to 3.81 on a 0-to-10 scale with geranium and stayed at 4.38 with placebo. The nurses' sleep quality didn't change.24

For calm at home, put 3 to 5 drops in a diffuser, or put 5 drops on a cotton ball attached to your collar for 30 minutes, as in the hernia trial.29192 When you breathe straight from the bottle, keep it to about 5 minutes at a time.30 Essential oils for anxiety and natural remedies for anxiety cover the bigger plan.

Can geranium oil relieve pain?

In the spinal stenosis trial, 59 adults with back and leg pain from a narrowed spinal canal were randomly assigned to breathe 1% geranium oil in almond oil, or plain almond oil, from gauze fixed above the upper lip for 20 minutes, and 57 were analyzed. Pain fell from 5.28 to 3.87 with geranium and from 4.81 to 4.42 with almond oil, a significant difference between the groups. Anxiety fell 0.88 points against a rise of 0.20, and stress fell 1.93 points against 0.13, with the clearest gains in people whose pain was moderate to severe; in those with mild pain, the groups didn't differ. Depression scores and systolic blood pressure also fell with geranium (systolic by 5.24 mmHg, against 2.32 with almond oil), though those gaps between the groups were too small to rule out chance.4 Diastolic pressure fell 2.31 mmHg with geranium and rose 1.50 with almond oil, a significant difference between the groups.4

After surgery, it helped too. In a placebo-controlled trial of 120 adults having their appendix removed, in which neither the patients nor the researchers knew who got what, breathing 3 drops of 1% geranium oil from a pad for 5 minutes, before surgery and again in recovery, lowered pain more than almond oil or no treatment, and blood pressure and oxygen readings also favored geranium.20 In a randomized trial of 153 adults having their gallbladder removed, breathing geranium or lavender oil lowered pain after surgery more than standard care alone, which had no placebo scent, and sleep quality rose more with geranium than with lavender.18 In both trials, people breathed the oil alongside their usual hospital care. Natural painkillers covers more options.

Nerve pain after shingles

Applied to the skin, geranium oil has also eased postherpetic neuralgia, the nerve pain that can linger after a shingles rash heals. In a study of 30 adults who'd had that pain for at least 3 months, each person tried geranium oil at full strength, at 50% and at 10% in mineral oil, plus a mineral-oil placebo and a 0.025% capsaicin control, in random order, and neither the patients nor the researchers knew which was which; 24 finished every treatment.21

Pain eased within minutes and was still easing at the end of the hour. Relief rose with strength: on the study's pain-relief scale, full strength scored 21.3, the 50% blend 12.7 and the 10% blend 8.0, while pain got slightly worse on placebo (−4.3). One in four people, 6 of 24, had dramatic relief. Side effects were minor and gone within the hour; two of the researchers later patented nerve-pain formulas built on compounds from geranium oil.2131

If you want to try it, use the lowest strength tested, 10%, which is about 10 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil, on a small painful patch of healed skin, after a patch test, and keep it well away from your eyes. A blend can help too: aromatherapy massage with rosemary, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile oils, three times a week for 4 weeks, lowered nerve pain and improved quality of life in 46 adults with painful diabetic neuropathy compared with routine care, in a randomized trial in which people knew which group they were in.32

Does geranium oil help PMS and menopause symptoms?

It can ease PMS as part of a massage. In a randomized trial of 120 university students with diagnosed PMS, 115 of whom finished, weekly massage with 2% geranium oil in almond oil for 8 weeks eased physical and emotional symptoms more than the same massage with plain almond oil.23 Symptoms fell in both massage groups and didn't change in a third group with no massage; one author worked in an essential-oil company's research department.23

For menopause, the one trial that includes geranium tested it in a blend. In this pilot trial, 25 women in menopause had a weekly abdominal, back and arm massage with lavender, rose geranium, rose and jasmine oils in almond and evening primrose oils for 8 weeks. Compared with 27 women on a waiting list, their overall menopause symptom scores fell, as did hot flashes, low mood and joint and muscle aches, though the researchers couldn't separate the oils' effect from the massage's.33

Hormone symptoms have root causes, so geranium oil works best as support inside a bigger plan. The free Perimenopause & Menopause protocol starts by steadying blood sugar and sleep before anything else.34 For PMS, see the free Hormone Balance for Women protocol, and essential oils for hormones and natural menopause relief round out the options. Because geranium oil acts like estrogen in lab tests, read who should be careful first if you've had breast cancer.

Can geranium oil help sores in the nose and mouth?

Chemotherapy can leave the inside of the nose dry, crusted, sore and bleeding, a problem called nasal vestibulitis. A Mayo Clinic team first surveyed women with breast cancer who'd been prescribed a rose geranium in sesame oil spray: all 20 who returned the survey reported benefit, and 8 had dramatic or complete relief.35 The team then ran a randomized trial in which 106 adults on chemotherapy used that spray or a saline spray twice a day for 2 weeks, and neither the patients nor the researchers knew which; among the 84 who could be evaluated, 67.4% improved with rose geranium, against 36.6% with saline. Side effects were few and no different between the sprays.5

The same pairing has helped an inherited nosebleed disorder. In 20 adults with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which causes repeated nosebleeds, a sesame and rose geranium oil compound used for a median of 183 days lowered nosebleed severity scores from 5.3 to 3.5; 75% felt better and no one had side effects, in a study with no comparison group.36 How to stop a nosebleed covers the everyday kind.

Both were medical preparations made for use inside the nose, where a home blend doesn't belong. If you're in chemotherapy and your nose is sore, ask your oncology team about a rose geranium in sesame oil spray. For year-round nasal allergies, a blend you breathe in has helped: breathing sandalwood, geranium and ravensara oils for 5 minutes twice a day for a week eased stuffiness, improved allergy-related quality of life and lowered fatigue compared with almond oil in a placebo-controlled trial of 54 adults.37 See essential oils for allergies for more.

In the mouth, geranium oil eased denture stomatitis, the red, sore tissue that can develop under a denture. In a placebo-controlled trial of 80 people with full dentures, in which neither the patients nor the researchers knew who got what, a 1% geranium oil gel applied twice a day for 14 days fully cleared the sores in 34% and partly in 56%, against 5% and 25% with a plain gel, and fungal growth fell more with geranium.22

In lab tests, geranium oil also stopped the growth of all 70 staph strains taken from patients, including drug-resistant MRSA, at very low concentrations, from a quarter of a microliter to 2.5 microliters of oil per milliliter.38 Antibacterial essential oils compares it with other oils.

Does geranium oil repel mosquitoes and ticks?

Yes, for a couple of hours against mosquitoes. On the forearms of 3 volunteers in a lab cage test, a 3% geranium oil blend kept malaria mosquitoes from biting for 148 minutes on average. Packing the same oil into a gel of tiny fat bubbles stretched protection to 216 minutes, while a plain gel lasted 33 minutes and 3% DEET, a synthetic repellent, lasted 311.14

For ticks, the lab results are encouraging. All 10 geranium oils one team tested repelled lone star tick nymphs on treated paper, the best at more than 90%, and a compound isolated from that oil, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, repelled ticks as well as DEET at the concentrations tested.39 Another lab found geranium oil weak against European castor bean tick nymphs at 1% and fully repellent at 30%, far stronger than any skin blend.40 In a third study, geranium ranked second of 11 natural oils for keeping lone star ticks off treated surfaces, though on a human fingertip test it didn't significantly stop them from climbing.41

For an evening outside, mix 3 drops into a teaspoon of carrier oil, close to the 3% strength in the mosquito test, rub it onto exposed skin, and reapply within about 2 hours. After time in tick country, check your skin and clothes. Homemade bug spray has a full recipe, and home remedies for mosquito bites covers bites you already have.

How to use geranium oil

For a skin blend, mix 2 to 3 drops into a teaspoon of carrier oil, about a 2% to 3% blend, the same dilution used for hyssop oil.29 A teaspoon of carrier oil holds about 100 drops, so each drop of geranium oil adds about 1%.

Before you start, read who should be careful. Carrier oils and essential oil safety cover the basics for every oil.

Can you take geranium oil internally?

Leave it out of your food and drinks. In Ancient Remedies I wrote that oils from commonly eaten herbs, spices, roots and berries, such as ginger, turmeric, lemon and peppermint, are safe to take orally by the drop, and geranium isn't among them.42 There's no human research on swallowing geranium oil. The FDA does list rose geranium among essential oils generally recognized as safe as food flavorings, which covers the trace amounts used to flavor foods; it doesn't set a dose.13 Breathe it in or dilute it on your skin instead.

How to buy and store geranium oil

Quality comes first with any essential oil. As I've written, "Synthetic oils are worthless at best and unhealthy at worst."42 Look for these on the label and from the seller:

• Pelargonium graveolens on the label, the species in the trials on this page; rose geranium and Bourbon geranium are names for it too459

• 100% pure and single-ingredient, certified organic if it's available, with nothing added42

• A batch test report, ideally a gas chromatography (GC-MS) report listing citronellol and geraniol, since the blend varies from bottle to bottle79

• Dark glass, stored somewhere cool with the cap on tight

• A fresh bottle: citronellol reacts with air and becomes a stronger skin allergen as it ages, so buy a size you'll finish and keep it capped43

Geranium oil side effects & who should be careful

The safety record in people is reassuring. None of the 12 studies in the 2026 review reported significant side effects,2 and in the chemotherapy nasal-spray trial, side effects were few and no different from saline.5 At full strength on the skin, it can sting: in the shingles study of 24 adults, full-strength oil caused short-lived eye burning in two people and a rash in one, and one person felt light-headed with the 10% blend.21

Like other essential oils, the concentrated oil can irritate skin and eyes and can set off skin allergies (contact dermatitis) and breathing allergies; a European food-safety panel classes it that way for people who handle it.1 Among 178 people already allergic to fragrances, Bourbon geranium oil and its compound citronellol each caused reactions in at least 2%,45 and across essential oils, allergic reactions come mainly from pure oils or high-strength products.46 Dilution and a patch test are your protection. If perfumes have bothered you before, see fragrance sensitivity, and if you have asthma, diffuse lightly in a well-aired room and stop at any wheezing.1

Geranium oil acts like estrogen in lab tests. In breast cancer cells that grow in response to estrogen, it switched on estrogen signaling and spurred growth to levels seen with premenopausal estradiol, and the researchers advise caution in breast cancer survivors.47 In a Japanese study, women in perimenopause who smelled geranium oil had higher saliva estrogen than with a control scent; of 10 oils tested, geranium and rose otto were the two that raised it.48 If you've had estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer or take hormone-blocking therapy, leave geranium oil out; the breast cancer support protocol covers other natural support.

During pregnancy, I've said on my show that the oils to be most careful with are the ones that dramatically affect your hormones and estrogen levels.30 Geranium oil's estrogen activity in the lab puts it in that group, and its safety through pregnancy and nursing hasn't been studied, so skip it while you're pregnant or nursing. The labor study above took place in a hospital, with staff on hand.

With children, use smaller amounts and more carrier oil, since they're much smaller than adults.30 Pets need more care still: not every oil that's safe for people is safe for animals, and frankincense is probably the essential oil we use on our dogs.30 The ASPCA lists geranium as toxic to dogs, cats and horses because of its geraniol and linalool, with signs such as vomiting, poor appetite, depression and skin irritation.49 In poison-center records of 48 dogs and cats exposed to flea products made with mixtures of plant oils, 92% had side effects, even though 77% of the products were used as the label directed.50 Essential oils for pets covers which oils suit animals.

The bottom line

Geranium oil: frequently asked questions

References

1. EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, et al. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the herbaceous parts of Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. (geranium rose oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J. 2023;21(7):e08161. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8161
2. Vieira AKS, Barbosa LP, Gnatta JR. Geranium Essential Oil Use for Human Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence. Flavour Fragr J. 2026;41(1):24-36. doi:10.1002/ffj.70033
3. Shirzadegan R, Gholami M, Hasanvand S, et al. Effects of geranium aroma on anxiety among patients with acute myocardial infarction: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017;29:201-206. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.10.005
4. Seo E, Cho Y, Lee JM, et al. Inhalation of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Related Anxiety and Stress in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Moderate to Severe Pain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;17(1):1. doi:10.3390/ph17010001
5. Cathcart-Rake EJ, Steinert K, Smith D, et al. Rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray to improve nasal vestibulitis symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer. 2024;32(6):379. doi:10.1007/s00520-024-08580-6
6. Axe J. 8 Surprising Essential Oil Remedies | Dr. Josh Axe [video]. YouTube. 2017 (Dr. Axe speaking, at 7:44–8:00 and 18:07).
7. Fekri N, El Amir D, Owis A, et al. Studies on essential oil from rose-scented geranium, Pelargonium graveolens L'Hérit. (Geraniaceae). Nat Prod Res. 2021;35(15):2593-2597. doi:10.1080/14786419.2019.1682581
8. Su YW, Chao SH, Lee MH, et al. Inhibitory effects of citronellol and geraniol on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂production in macrophages. Planta Med. 2010;76(15):1666-71. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1249947
9. Roman S, Voaides C, Babeanu N. Exploring the Sustainable Exploitation of Bioactive Compounds in Pelargonium sp.: Beyond a Fragrant Plant. Plants (Basel). 2023;12(24):4123. doi:10.3390/plants12244123
10. Axe J, Rubin J. 5 Keys to Anti-Aging and Beauty | Dr. Josh Axe [video]. YouTube. 2017 (Dr. Axe speaking, at 4:39 and 8:43–9:57).
11. 40 CFR 152.25. Exemptions for pesticides of a character not requiring FIFRA regulation (minimum risk pesticides, paragraph (f)). Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). Accessed October 4, 2026.
12. ElSohly MA, Gul W, Tolbert C, et al. Methylhexanamine is not detectable in Pelargonium or Geranium species and their essential oils: A multi-centre investigation. Drug Test Anal. 2015;7(7):645-54. doi:10.1002/dta.1726
13. 21 CFR 182.20. Essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free), and natural extractives (including distillates). Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). Accessed October 4, 2026.
14. Kalantari M, Azizi K, Shahheidari R, et al. A stable nanoliposomal carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel of Pelargonium essential oil: Formulation, characterization, and enhanced repellent activity against Anopheles stephensi. Parasite Epidemiol Control. 2026;33:e00490. doi:10.1016/j.parepi.2026.e00490
15. Boukhatem MN, Kameli A, Ferhat MA, et al. Rose geranium essential oil as a source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs. Libyan J Med. 2013;8(1):22520. doi:10.3402/ljm.v8i0.22520
16. Jaradat N, Hawash M, Qadi M, et al. Chemical Markers and Pharmacological Characters of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil from Palestine. Molecules. 2022;27(17):5721. doi:10.3390/molecules27175721
17. Abouhosseini Tabari M, Hajizadeh Moghaddam A, Maggi F, et al. Anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of Pelargonium roseum essential oil on Swiss albino mice: Possible involvement of serotonergic transmission. Phytother Res. 2018;32(6):1014-1022. doi:10.1002/ptr.6038
18. Akutay S, Doner A, Ceyhan O, et al. Aromatherapy Improves Pain, Sleep and Physiological Parameters in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients: A Single-Blind, Parallel Group, and Randomized Controlled Trial. Chin J Integr Med. 2026;32(8):685-692. doi:10.1007/s11655-025-3823-z
19. Goli R, Arad M, Mam-Qaderi M, et al. Comparing the effects of geranium aromatherapy and music therapy on the anxiety level of patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery: A clinical trial. Explore (NY). 2022;18(1):57-63. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2020.08.004
20. Gazerani A, Sarchahi Z, Hosseini SS, et al. The effect of inhalation aromatherapy of geranium on pain and physiological indices after appendectomy: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. Int J Surg Open. 2021;28:44-49. doi:10.1016/j.ijso.2020.12.004
21. Greenway FL, Frome BM, Engels TM, et al. Temporary relief of postherpetic neuralgia pain with topical geranium oil. Am J Med. 2003;115(7):586-7. doi:10.1016/s0002-9343(03)00434-0
22. Sabzghabaee AM, Shirdare Z, Ebadian B, et al. Clinical evaluation of the essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens for the treatment of denture stomatitis. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2011;8(Suppl 1):S105-8.
23. Lotfipur-Rafsanjani SM, Ravari A, Ghorashi Z, et al. Effects of Geranium Aromatherapy Massage on Premenstrual Syndrome: A Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2018;9:98. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_40_16
24. Karimi N, Hasanvand S, Beiranvand A, et al. The effect of Aromatherapy with Pelargonium graveolens (P. graveolens) on the fatigue and sleep quality of critical care nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2024;20(1):82-88. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2023.06.006
25. Maruyama N, Sekimoto Y, Ishibashi H, et al. Suppression of neutrophil accumulation in mice by cutaneous application of geranium essential oil. J Inflamm (Lond). 2005;2(1):1.
26. Kozlowska J, Kaczmarkiewicz A, Stachowiak N, Sionkowska A. Evaluation of Sebostatic Activity of Juniperus communis Fruit Oil and Pelargonium graveolens Oil Compared to Niacinamide. Cosmetics. 2017;4(3):36. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4030036
27. Hu JY, Lin WC, Hsu TF, et al. The Efficacy of Aromatherapy in Alleviating Anxiety among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2025;41(5):583-597.
28. Rashidi Fakari F, Tabatabaeichehr M, Kamali H, et al. Effect of Inhalation of Aroma of Geranium Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters during First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: a Randomized Clinical Trial. J Caring Sci. 2015;4(2):135-41. doi:10.15171/jcs.2015.014
29. Axe J. Hyssop Oil: Benefits, Uses, Dosage & Safety. DrAxe.com. Updated September 23, 2026 ("mix 2–3 drops into a teaspoon of carrier oil").
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31. McLellan A, Greenway F, inventors; Neuroquest Inc, assignee. Composition and method for inhibition of nerve transmission. US Patent 9,999,601 B2. Granted June 19, 2018.
32. Gok Metin Z, Arikan Donmez A, Izgu N, et al. Aromatherapy Massage for Neuropathic Pain and Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2017;49(4):379-388. doi:10.1111/jnu.12300
33. Hur MH, Yang YS, Lee MS. Aromatherapy massage affects menopausal symptoms in korean climacteric women: a pilot-controlled clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008;5(3):325-8. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem027
34. Axe J. Perimenopause & Menopause: The 90-Day Healing Protocol. DrAxe.com. 2026 ("How to use this guide": steady blood sugar and sleep first).
35. Cathcart-Rake EJ, Smith D, Zahrieh D, et al. Rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray: a treatment for nasal vestibulitis? BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2020;10(4):411-413. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001569
36. Reh DD, Hur K, Merlo CA. Efficacy of a topical sesame/rose geranium oil compound in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia associated epistaxis. Laryngoscope. 2013;123(4):820-2. doi:10.1002/lary.23736
37. Choi SY, Park K. Effect of Inhalation of Aromatherapy Oil on Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7896081. doi:10.1155/2016/7896081
38. Bigos M, Wasiela M, Kalemba D, et al. Antimicrobial activity of geranium oil against clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Molecules. 2012;17(9):10276-91. doi:10.3390/molecules170910276
39. Tabanca N, Wang M, Avonto C, et al. Bioactivity-guided investigation of geranium essential oils as natural tick repellents. J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61(17):4101-7. doi:10.1021/jf400246a
40. Jaenson TG, Garboui S, Palsson K. Repellency of oils of lemon eucalyptus, geranium, and lavender and the mosquito repellent MyggA natural to Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the laboratory and field. J Med Entomol. 2006;43(4):731-6. doi:10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43[731:rooole]2.0.co;2
41. Le Mauff A, Norris EJ, Li AY, et al. Repellent activity of essential oils to the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Parasit Vectors. 2024;17(1):202. doi:10.1186/s13071-024-06246-0
42. Axe J. Ancient Remedies. Little, Brown Spark; 2021. Chapter "The Power of Essential Oils," p. 147.
43. Rudbäck J, Hagvall L, Börje A, et al. Characterization of skin sensitizers from autoxidized citronellol - impact of the terpene structure on the autoxidation process. Contact Dermatitis. 2014;70(6):329-39. doi:10.1111/cod.12234
44. Seo KA, Kim H, Ku HY, et al. The monoterpenoids citral and geraniol are moderate inhibitors of CYP2B6 hydroxylase activity. Chem Biol Interact. 2008;174(3):141-6. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2008.06.003
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Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS

Doctor of Natural Medicine · Founder, DrAxe.com

Dr. Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, and multiple New York Times bestselling author. He has spent 20+ years in clinical practice helping people heal at the root cause and founded one of the most-visited natural-health platforms in the world.

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