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Aqua Oleum geranium Essential Oil 10ml
A lot of confusion exists today with the species Pelargonium, as to which
variety applies to what origin. We will endeavour to highlight the various
origins and species in this article.
Pelargoniums are native to South Africa, where 160 of the 700 plus known
varieties exist today. The classification of these species is made more
difficult by the hybridisation of garden species that leave us with numerous
varieties.
In its natural habitat, Geranium is generally stunted, the European, Reunion
and North African varieties, can grow to a height of 0.6–0.9 metres with very
thick stems.
It is imperative today, that an Aromatherapist determines the origin and
species of the Geranium they buy. Of the three qualities commonly offered, there
is little if any similarity from an odour or quality point of view and in
general the cost ratio is quite extreme. We will try and highlight as follows
.....
GERANIUM OIL BOURBON
P. ROSEUM
The superior quality Geranium Oil from the Reunion islands, sometimes
referred to a P. Odorantissimum. Botanically speaking, both species exist
on Reunion and to date there is no research (of a credible nature) to determine
which species actually relates to Bourbon oil. Our producer assures us that he
only distils the Roseum variety and that the odour of odorantissimum is
somewhat harsh in comparison to the rounded oil he produces.
GERANIUM OIL NORTH AFRICAN
P. ODORANTISSIMUM AIT.
This oil comes mainly from Egypt and occasionally from Algeria and Morocco.
Egyptian oil is similar in a number of ways to Bourbon from a constituent
comparison, but colour is an easy way to differentiate. Bourbon Oil should be
green and Egyptian oil is yellow. A good analytical chemist will also be able to
identify a component known as 10-epi-gamma-eudesmol that occurs in Egyptian oil
up to a level of 6% and is almost totally absent from Bourbon Oil.
Chinese Geranium Oil has not been popular recently due to the tremendous
increases in price caused by weather affected shortages. Long term, the Chinese
domestic market will have an increased demand for their own consumption and
exports will almost certainly be reduced. Russian Geranium is consumed
domestically and they now have to import considerable volumes in order to supply
their soap factories. Their future attention will now be focused on Egypt and
possibly South Africa where the potential to supply is actively being
investigated.
Major constituents are highlighted in the following origins:
Geranium Oils
|
|
Principal constituents by % |
Origin |
| Algeria |
Egypt |
Morocco |
Bourbon |
China |
|
iso-menthone |
5.3
|
6.0
|
5.5
|
8.3
|
4.4
|
|
linalool |
6.4
|
9.3
|
5.1
|
13.0
|
3.3
|
|
citronellyl formate |
9.0
|
7.6
|
7.4
|
12.8
|
13.9
|
|
geranyl formate |
6.6
|
3.5
|
4.1
|
5.0
|
3.6
|
|
citronellol |
27.3
|
32.8
|
18.8
|
23.6
|
44.9
|
|
geraniol |
25.7
|
19.5
|
18.8
|
20.6
|
7.7
|
|
10-epi-gamma-eudesmol |
|
5.4
|
65.5
|
|
2.2
|
Long term, the production of Bourbon Geranium is set to treble. Subsidies and
grants allowing cultivation below 600 metres where yields are higher (80 kg oil
per hectare at 200 metres while 15-25 kg oil at 600 metres). Technical
assistance is also being offered to the farmers in order to maximise the
potential yields and to encourage continued production.
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