Geranium (Geranium maculatum) is indigenous to the Northeastern United States, where the herb has been utilized as a natural remedy for centuries. This plant features small flowers in a variety of colors. Many people feature the flowers in their gardens without realization of the potential healing powers the plant possesses when used as an herb. Geranium extract, on the other hand, is an ingredient that has been found illegally in some dietary supplements and often touted as a “natural” stimulant.
Geraniums do look lovely, but their roots contain tannin, a powerful ingredient responsible for soothing the digestive tract and useful in the prevention and treatment of frequent diarrhea. Regardless of the past usage, the raw plant is available today in easy-to-use supplements. To date, many companies globally pride themselves in the manufacture and supply of geranium extracts and supplements.
Among these companies are DBR Exports India that specializes in supply of essential oils, perfumes, and beauty products, Primagricu Co. in Egypt that manufactures, imports, and exports essential oils, among them being geranium, and Amarnath Exports in India which is a manufacturing company that also exports geranium oil and supplies perfumes, essences, and scents.
About Popular Varieties Of Geranium
Popular categories of geranium extract supplements include:
Rose Geranium
This is an aromatic herb best valued for its rose scented oil used in food preparation, perfumery, and herbal medicine. It’s mainly used in aroma therapy for relaxation and calmness promotion besides being an antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and a sedative.
Geranium Oil
Geranium essential oil, an extract of geranium, has been for centuries used as an herbal remedy for menstruation and menopause symptoms. Geraniums contain a natural substance called terpenes, which bugs generally do not like, so it is often used as a natural repellent for insects. The oil extracted from geraniums has proved to be toxic to insects, particularly against head lice.
In aromatherapy, Geranium's mild and balancing effect makes it useful. It is pleasant when mixed with creams and lotions, makes a refreshing perfume, and can be blended with other essences to create your unique aroma. It is particularly popular for skin balancing and the treatment of acne and oily skin.
DMAA
There is significant hype, more so in the community of weight loss, with regards to the geranium extract containing Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) which is a stimulant commonly found in pre-workout formulas and occasionally used in higher concentration as a drug for recreation. In fact, on amphetamine testing, it has been proven to cause a false positive.
Gastrointestinal
This is a powdered form of geranium extract essential for the treatment of volatile conditions. When the powdered herb is internally taken or used in tea, it aids in the treatment of conditions such as diarrhea, sore throats, and urinary irritations. It does this by helping to tonify the mucous membranes and help to seal out infection.
Geranium Extract Health Benefits
1. Great Antibacterial, Antiseptic, and Antifungal
Geranium oil is antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial by nature. It curbs bacteria and fungi development on injuries and wounds, besides safeguarding you from infections.
2. Boosts Immunity
How susceptible are you to weather changes? Does cold, however simple, make you panic? If so, you need your immune system to be boosted. Geranium is an immunity booster because of its antimicrobial effects, which strengthen your body’s defensive cells so you can successfully deal with different toxic challenges, whether external or internal.
3. Excellent Anti-Hemorrhagic
Geranium has the potential to plug hemorrhage in a two-fold way. By it being a styptic, it inhibits blood flow thanks to the veins and arteries’ contraction. Besides, the hemostatic properties hasten the coagulation procedure and facilitate the blood clotting. Both of these features are critical in healing of wounds and avoiding infections.
4. Boosts Metabolism
The cytophylactic properties of geranium necessitate metabolism boosting, essential for health maintenance besides the body and reproductive cells' growth.
5. It is a Diuretic
The diuretic properties facilitate urine discharge from the urinary bladder, hence your body’s toxic materials in addition to excess elements like sodium, bile, fat, acid, and water are gotten rid of.
6. Vermifugal Properties
These geranium properties are very beneficial for both adults and kids. It can help in intestinal worm extermination.
7. Regulates Sebum Secretion
Both oily and dry hair use geranium as the perfect solution. It balances both our scalp and hair oil so that the hair strands look healthy and vitalized. The result is smooth and silky tresses thanks to their works on the sebaceous glands present on our scalp, which regulates sebum secretion.
8. Promotes Hair Growth
Do you desire long and flowy hair that is healthy and envy eliciting? Use a mixture of geranium oil and other carrier oils. By so doing, your scalp is toned and nourished, thereby promoting hair growth.
8. Imparts a Flowery Aroma to Hair
When the essential oil can is mixed with regular shampoo, it gives the hair an audacious magical flowery aroma.
9. Heals Various Skin Disorders
Geranium essential oil is a cicatrisant. So, it gradually helps fade scars and eventually, our skin becomes flawless.
10. Deodorant Properties
The geranium essential oil does have a pleasing and uplifting aroma. Because of its non-harshness on the skin, it remains on the skin for longer, with its antibacterial property aiding in body odor elimination.
11. Skin Tonic
Geranium oils help tone the skin by ensuring all systems and bodily functions work properly. Also, they influence your endocrine glands that regulate the different acids, hormones, and body enzymes, thereby resulting in boosting strength and functionality improvement of the digestive, nervous, respiratory, excretory, and circulatory systems. All of these ensure your skin is well toned, enhanced complexion, corrected skin discoloration, reduced acne, and a generally radiant skin.
Health Risks Of Geranium Extract
Skin Irritations
Pure geranium oil has had people with hyper-sensitive skin report some problems. People may experience dermatological problems such as skin irritation, itching, and development of rashes. Doing a small test, on a patch preferably, before larger area usage is recommended.
Dehydration
Geranium is a natural diuretic, aiding in excess water elimination from the body. The diuretic properties of geranium extract enable the body to eliminate excess water. People using geranium oil internally should avoid using it with other natural diuretics such as green tea. Users of the herbal extract are also advised to drink at least 32 ounces of water per day.
Antispasmodic Effects
Geranium oil helps stop cramping by soothing the intestines and stomach bowels. Fetus accommodation makes the uterus contract naturally and expand during pregnancy. Despite absence of scientific data for support, it is safest to avoid geranium oil usage during pregnancy.
Geranium may induce the production of hormones in the body. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid the use of geranium extract. However, it is not well understood whether the hormone production affects the production of milk in breast-feeding women.
Popular Geranium Products In The Market
1. Herb Pharm Wild Geranium
Herb Pharm Wild Geranium is extracted from the rhizome of the geranium maculatum plant. The product is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream. According to the manufacturers, Herb Pharm Wild Geranium is gluten-free and non-GMO. The products potency has been assured through High Performance Thin layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Other ingredients found in the herbal product include organic cane alcohol, organic vegetable glycerin, and distilled water.
2. Majestic Pure Geranium Essential Oil
This herbal product is of premium quality and it is packed in the United States. Majestic Pure Geranium Essential Oil has several applications. It is used in aromatherapy due to its sweet floral fragrance. The herbal extract can be mixed with other essential oils such as lemon, lavender, and rosemary oil. According to the manufacturers, the product is meant for external use only. It is advisable to avoid contact with eyes because it can cause eye irritation. Pregnant women are advised to consult with their healthcare providers before use. Majestic Pure Geranium Essential Oil has an overall rating of 4.4 out of a possible 5 stars on Amazon. The product is sold at $21.50.
3. Geranium Extract Powder
Geranium Extract Powder is a concentrated extract that is available in the form of a powder. The product is easy to use as it easily goes into solution. The herbal product is pure and non-GMO. It has been tested for contaminants such as yeasts, bacteria, molds, chemicals, and pesticides. The product is sold at $21.50 on Amazon.
4. Umckaloabo South African Geranium Extract
Umckaloabo South African Geranium Extract is formulated in the form of vegetarian capsules. The strengths available is 400mg.
Geranium Extract Review Summary
It is advisable to conduct some research before adding geranium to one’s preferred list of supplements. As already mentioned, there are some health benefits that arise from the use of geranium extract. However, it is important to note that there are side effects that may be experienced by the user.
Health experts recommend the use of geranium in small doses to avoid experiencing side effects. The herbal product has proven to be harmful when taken in high doses or concentrations. However, there is little information on what constitutes safe dosages or concentrations. The underlying conditions that could make the products’ seemingly safe dose unsafe is also not known.
