Géranium Bourbon - Huile essentielle

Bourbon Geranium - Essential Oil

Delicately floral and soothing, Bourbon Geranium balances the skin and emotions. Its refined, rose-like fragrance makes it a precious ally for relaxation, cosmetic care, and daily well-being.

Avertissement

Les propriétés, indications et modes d’utilisation présentés sont tirés d’ouvrages et de sites de référence en aromathérapie, hydrolathérapie et phytothérapie. Ces données sont fournies à titre informatif et ne constituent pas un avis médical. Elles ne remplacent en aucun cas un diagnostic, une consultation ou un suivi médical et n’engagent pas notre responsabilité. Avant toute utilisation, consultez le guide des huiles essentielles pour connaître les précautions d’emploi. En cas de doute, demandez l’avis d’un médecin.

Properties

Natural regulation
Natural regulation
Natural repellent
Natural repellent
Emotional harmony
Emotional harmony

Uses

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icone-site-inhalation-utilise-born-to-bio

  • Properties, uses & synergies

  • Precautions for use

  • History of the plant and characteristics

Properties

Bourbon Geranium essential oil is particularly appreciated for its many traditional virtues. According to specialised aromatherapy literature, it is known for:

• Purifying and astringent properties (ideal for skin care)
• Balancing sebum production (combination to oily skin)
• Skin tonic (contributes to radiant, healthy-looking skin)
• Olfactory soothing (encourages harmony and serenity)
• Emotionally balancing (traditionally used in olfactotherapy)
• Natural insect repellent
• Deodorising and harmonising in aromatic compositions

These qualities make this essential oil a favourite ally for cosmetic care and emotional well-being, while still requiring careful use.

Traditional uses

Aromatherapy

Bourbon Geranium essential oil is traditionally used in room diffusion for its floral, reassuring fragrance. It encourages relaxation, accompanies relaxation practices and helps create a soothing atmosphere.

Cosmetics and natural care

In organic cosmetics, Bourbon Geranium is prized for its balancing and purifying properties. It is used in serums, lotions and creams for combination and oily skin, as well as in anti-blemish care and soothing balms. Its floral fragrance also makes it a good addition to natural massage oils.

Household care

Thanks to its purifying and deodorising virtues, it is sometimes added to room sprays, natural laundry detergents or homemade household products to freshen the air and delicately scent your surroundings.

Well-being and relaxation

Bourbon Geranium essential oil is known for easing inner tension and restoring a feeling of emotional balance. Used in diffusion or aromatic mists, it encourages a state of calm and serenity.

Other possible uses

In natural perfumery, it is widely used as a heart note in floral compositions, reminiscent of rose. It is also included in some natural preparations designed to repel mosquitoes.

Uses

Diffusion

A few drops in a diffuser let you enjoy its floral, balancing aromas.
It is recommended to diffuse in sessions of 10 to 20 minutes maximum, in a well-ventilated room.

⚠️ Avoid diffusing in the presence of young children and pregnant women.

Skin application

Always dilute Bourbon Geranium essential oil in a vegetable oil (e.g. jojoba, sweet almond, hazelnut).
The recommended dilution is 1% for the face (1 drop of essential oil for 10 drops of vegetable oil) and up to 2% for the body.

⚠️ A skin test in the crook of the elbow is recommended before any use.

Inhalation

For dry inhalation, put 1 drop on a tissue and breathe deeply to enjoy its relaxing fragrance.

Aromatic bath

Dilute a few drops in a suitable dispersant (powdered milk, Solubol, neutral base) before adding it to the bath water for a floral, relaxing moment.

Synergies

Bourbon Geranium essential oil blends harmoniously with:

• True Lavender for a soothing, relaxing atmosphere
• Sweet Orange for a warm room fragrance
• Tea Tree or Spike Lavender for anti-blemish care
• Italian Helichrysum for skin care and scars
• Ho Wood or Sandalwood for antioxidant, harmonising care

Essential oils are powerful active ingredients that should be used with caution.

The use of Bourbon Geranium essential oil is not recommended for:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless advised by a doctor
• Children under 6
• People with asthma or who are very sensitive to essential oils

It may cause skin irritation when undiluted, so it is essential to always dilute it before application.

⚠️ External use only, unless advised by a healthcare professional.
⚠️ Avoid contact with the eyes, mucous membranes and sensitive areas.

The plant

Bourbon Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum) belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It is native to Reunion Island but is also grown in Madagascar, Egypt and South Africa.
This variety, often called rose geranium, is known for its floral fragrance reminiscent of rose.

The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and stems of the plant. This gentle process preserves its aromatic richness, which makes it an essential reference in aromatherapy and natural perfumery.

Anecdotes & History

Bourbon Geranium takes its name from Bourbon Island (the former name of Reunion Island), where it adapted particularly well. In these sunny volcanic soils, the plant develops an exceptionally rich fragrance.

Once grown for luxury perfumery, rose geranium was prized for its floral notes reminiscent of rose, used as an alternative in many perfumes.

In some traditions, it was believed to ward off negative energies and purify interiors. Even today, its soft, balancing fragrance appeals in both aromatherapy and natural cosmetics.

Physical and olfactory characteristics

Bourbon Geranium essential oil is easy to recognise thanks to its characteristics:

• Appearance: fluid liquid
• Colour: pale yellow to light green, sometimes amber
• Scent: floral, sweet, slightly minty, reminiscent of rose

Its complex, warm fragrance makes it a highly prized oil in natural perfumery and cosmetic care.

Biochemical composition

The richness of Bourbon Geranium essential oil lies in its varied composition:

• Citronellol
• Geraniol
• Linalool
• Citronellyl formate
• Isomenthone and menthone
• Geranyl acetate

This synergy of molecules gives it a floral, fresh and harmonious fragrance, ideal for skin care and emotional balance.

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