Willd.). The more commonly used ones are
Algerian or African geranium oil, Reunion
or Bourbon geranium oil, and Moroccan
geranium oil. Despite mention of several com-
mercial source species in the literature,
P.graveolensappears to be the only one com-
mercially cultivated (TUCKER AND LAWRENCE).
Geranium oils should not be confused with
East Indian or Turkish geranium oil; the latter
is palmarosa oil and is derived from a
completely different plant source.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
All three major types of geranium oil (Alger-
ian, Bourbon, and Moroccan) contain large
amounts of alcohols (primarilyl-citronellol
and geraniol, with linalool and phenethyl
alcohol in lesser amounts);1–7esters (e.g.,
geranyl tiglate, geranyl acetate, citronellyl
formate, and citronellyl acetate);1–6and alde-
hydes and ketones (l-isomenthone, citronellal,
citral, decyl aldehyde, etc.).4–7The total alco-
hol content is usually 60–70%, and the ester
content is normally 20–30% but they vary
considerably, depending on the type of
oil.1,4–6The proportions of alcohols (especial-
lyl-citronellol, geraniol, and phenethyl alco-
hol) also vary with the type of oil.2,3,5,6
Other compounds reported in geranium oils
include sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (a-and
b-bourbonene,a-santalene,b-elemene, caryo-
phyllene,g-muurolene, humulene,d-cadinene,
ar-curcumene, selina-3,7(11)-diene, selina-4
(14),7(11)-diene, germacratriene, 6,9-guaia-
diene, etc.);8–10 sesquiterpene alcohols (10-
epi-g-eudesmol, junenol, l-selin-11-en-4-ol,
etc.);10,11 acids (formic, acetic, propionic,
caprylic, tiglic acids, etc.);6,7dimethyl sulfide,
cis-andtrans-dehydrocitronellol, menthol,
citronellyl-diethylamine, and others.6,12,13
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
A geranium oil (from leaves ofP.roseum)
with its alcohol component consisting almost
entirely ofl-citronellol has been reported to
exhibitin vitroinhibitory activities against
several fungi that are pathogenic to humans.^2
Other rose geranium oils have also been re-
ported to have antibacterial and antifungal
activitiesin vitro.14–16
Antioxidant free radical scavenging ac-
tivity of geranium oil has recently been
reported.^17TOXICOLOGYCases of dermatitis in hypersensitive indivi-
duals caused by geranium oil present in cos-
metics have been well documented, though
some data indicate geranium oil to be non-
sensitizing, nonirritating, and nonphototoxic
to human skin.14,18,19USESMedicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Rose geranium oil (especially Bourbon) is
widely used as a fragrance component in all
kinds of cosmetic products, including soaps,
detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes,
with maximum use level of 1.0% reported in
perfumes.14,18,19Food. Rose geranium oil is extensively used
in most major food products, including alco-
holic and nonalcoholic beverages, frozen
dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, and gela-
tins and puddings. Use levels are generally
below 0.001%.Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Rose
geranium oil is commonly available; primari-
ly used as an inexpensive substitute for rose
oil in massage oil formulations, and so on
(ROSE).Traditional Medicine. In Africa the roots of
variousPelargoniumspp. are reportedly used
as astringent; in diarrhea, dysentery, and so on.
(WATT AND BREYER-BRANDWIJK).Geranium oil, rose 319