Geranium Oil

By Nadim A. Shaath, Ph.D. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) has historically been an essential oil of top importance. Owing to its very pronounced, strong, rose-like odor, the oil is almost a perfume by itself and blends well with all kinds of scents. Commercial production of the oil from plantations was started in the Grasse region of southern France then exported to the fertile plains of Algeria, Egypt and Reunion. Major World Producing Areas: The People's Republic of China produces a "Bourbon" type Geranium. Major geographic producing areas are Yunnan, Szechuan and Guangzhou. Production today is in the area of 80 metric tons a year. Production in China is steam-distilled at the site of cultivation. Egypt is the second most important producer of Geranium currently estimated at 50 tons. A major effort is being made to improve yields and bring down prices of Geranium. Areas of production are primarily in Upper Egypt, mainly Bani Sweif and Fayoum. After cutting, plants are transported to the distillery by truck. Plant material is stacked near the stills to dry and reduce in volume. Distillation is carried out in regular steam stills with steam generated in separate boilers. Two cuttings are harvested a year, the first from May to the end of August and the second from October to the middle of November, depending on the growth of new leaves. The plants then bear no flowers and the leaves turn slightly yellow. Elsewhere in North Africa, Algerian production of the 1960's and early 1970's which once upon a time exceeded 100 metric tons per year, today genuine Algerian Geranium oil is non-existent. Morocco's production in the 1960's and 70's of 80 metric tons has sharply decreased and the forecast today is for around 10 tons. The island of Reunion where, the production has been 30 tons a year with the exception of 1989 when a cyclone practically destroyed 50% of the crop. Oil is distilled throughout the year, but the major distillation times of production are September-October and January-March. In addition to the above, there has been sporadic production in India, Kenya, Tunisia and South Africa. With the increase in prices, many companies have introduced their own Geranium substitute. These compounds have been skillfully blended using the cheapest available natural Geranium with competitive sourcing of aroma chemicals. Buyer beware! Egyptian Geranium Oil is described by the International Standards Organization (ISO) 4731 as being the, "essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the herbaceaous parts

of Pelargonium graveolens L'Heritier ex Aiton, P. roseum Willdenow, and their cultivars and hybrids." This steam-distilled product contains hundreds of volatile components mostly monoterpene, sequiterpene, alcohol and ester chemicals. More than a hundred of these chemicals have been detected and identified using dual capillary column Gas Chromatography in combination with Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry. Table I: Chemical Identification of Egyptian Geranium Oil by GC Chemical Constituent alpha-Pinene Myrcene d-Limonene + Ocimene trans-beta-Ocimene Linalool oxide Linalool oxide Linalool cis-Rose oxide trans-Rose oxide Menthone iso-Menthone Alpha-Terpineol Citronellol Citral Geraniol Citronellyl formate Geranyl formate beta-Bourbonene Phenyl ethyl butyrate beta-Caryophyllene 6,9-Guaiadiene Geranyl propionate Phenyl ethyl iso-valerate Germacrene-D Cadinene + Geranyl iso-valerate Citronellyl butyrate + Cadinene Geranyl butyrate Phenyl ethyl tiglate gamma-epi-Eudesmol %Area 0.52 0.23 0.39 0.27 0.27 0.14 8.56 1.04 0.39 0.83 6.07 0.74 24.80 0.45 15.67 6.71 3.64 0.60 0.51 1.17 1.16 0.98 0.30 1.24 0.72 0.89 1.91 0.98 5.71

Citronellyl tiglate Citronellyl hexanoate Geranyl tiglate Geranyl acetate

0.33 0.16 1.52 0.30

SUMMARY
Latin: Pelargonium graveolens Family: Geraneacea Description: Native to South Africa, and also called Geranium. Geranium oil is actually distilled from the Palargonium. It is obtained from many parts of the world. Extraction: Steam distillation Key Uses: Skin and Nervous System Indications: Burns, Depression, Dermatitis, Diabetes, Eczema, Water Retention, Nervous Tension, Shingles, Skin Care Safety Information: Avoid during pregnancy. Properties: Analgesic, Anti-depressant, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptis, Astringent, Antibacterial, Deodorant, Diuretic, Fungicidal, Lymphatic Sedative and Tonic. Main Chemical Constituents: Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool To learn more about Harmonia Natural's Geranium oil, click here: http://www.bannertherapy.com/Geranium-Harmonia-Essential-Oil_p_611.html www.bannertherapy.com

About The Author

Dr. Nadim Shaath received his B.Sc. degree (Honors) in Chemistry from the University of Alexandria, Egypt in 1967 and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1973. After three years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Department at the University of Minnesota, he joined the Chemistry Faculty at the State University of New York (Purchase) in 1975. In 19791980 he served as the Chairman of the Chemistry Department at SUNY-Purchase and then joined Felton Worldwide, a leading manufacturer of flavors, fragrances and supplier of essential oils , as Director of their Research Department. He was then promoted to Executive Vice President and Technical Director. His research on microwavable flavors led to the introduction of the Delta T Theory and the Microloc trademark to the Food Industry. In 1990, Dr. Shaath became the President and Chief Executive Officer of KATO Worldwide, Ltd., a flavor, fragrance, sunscreen and essential oil company. In 2000 he founded Alpha Research & Development, Ltd., and is currently its President. Alpha R&D, Ltd. is a research, sourcing and product development company in the fields of cosmetics (hair care and skin care), sunscreens, analytical testing, fragrances, essential oils and aromatherapy. Dr. Shaath is a frequent speaker/moderator at many scientific meetings and is the author of numerous articles in flavor, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, aromatherapy and sunscreen journals and publications. He has represented the CTFA on sunscreens to the Food and Drug Administration and was an expert witness on several litigations in the Cosmetic and Sunscreen Industries. He is the editor of several books on Sunscreens including the book entitled Sunscreens published by Marcel Dekker (Francis & Taylor) and the Encyclopedia of Ultraviolet Filters published by Allured. He is currently in the process of completing his book entitled Healing Civilizations: In Search of Therapeutic Essential Oils and Nutrients.