When you hear the word “Geranium,” an image of your grandmother’s garden may spring to mind. While that’s a pleasant thought, the essential oil form ofGeranium does not come from that. In fact, the small fragrant plant from which the oil is derived is native to Egypt and a member of a different genus than those in your grandma’s backyard.

So, now that we’ve explained what Geranium oil isn’t, let’s get to what it  is. While this EO is hard to pin down, exemplifying a certain  je ne sais quois, it is complex and extremely beneficial. For starters, it’s strong floral and sweet notes create a pleasingly sophisticated aroma (perfect for springtime!). With those bright aromatic properties wafting nearby, it’s likely that Geranium will soothe your mood.

Along with its bold aroma, Geranium offers a bevy of health benefits that go beyond pleasing your olfactory system. This essential oil has long been used as a sleep aid, skin-care remedy and general stress-reliever. Furthermore, Geranium isespecially helpful to women, offering support to the reproductive system, menstrual cycle and during menopause.

The popularity of Geranium hasn’t been confined to only the essential oil community either. In fact, some of the most sought-after perfumes and colognes use Geranium as their dominant ingredient. Take for instanceGeranium Bourbon, a floral fragrance for women by Miller Harris, or the men’s fragranceGeranium Pour Monsieur by Frederic Malle. And love for Geranium doesn’t stop there. In fact, the very popular Mrs. Meyer’s brand has developedan entire line of Geranium-infused products with the catchy tagline, “Geranium. So soothing you’ll forget you’re actually cleaning.”

While it is a calming and balancing essential oil, Geranium should be used sparingly until you’ve used it for an extended length of time.