(Cymbopogon martinii) Supports healthy immune response, digestion and thyroid function, yeast balance, may ease nervous tension and exhaustion and soothe minor skin issues.
Chemically speaking, Geraniol deters pests, so an oil that is high in geraniol typically is effective to diffuse to make the room undesirable to pests. Palmarosa and Citronella Java are two essential oils with high geraniol content. (Rose is high in geraniol as well, but because of the cost, it would not be a good choice to diffuse.) Note: Geraniol does attract bees, as it is produced by the scent glands of honey bees to help them mark nectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrance to their hives. Well-aged tobacco has geraniol in it as well.
Hopewell Essential Oil Blends containing Palmarosa Balance Evening Peace Face Nourishment Focus Immune Support Mother's Ouch! Sunshine
Blends Well With: Bergamot Cedarwood Citronella Geranium Jasmine Lavender Orange Petitgrain Sandalwood Ylang Ylang
Aromatherapy Literature Notes Palmarosa has antibacterial properties and is "excellent for combating intestinal infections and easing the pain of stomach cramps." (Purchon/Cantele)
Palmarosa is desirable for issues such as "acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, scars, sores, skin infections and (possibly) wrinkles." (Purchon/Cantele)
Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil, unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil. Especially effective applied over the heart, thymus (under breastbone), temples and wrists. Add to Epsom Salt and then to bath water. Tisserand notes that, due to the geraniol content, the maximum dermal use should be at 6.5%. Children: For infants and children, please follow the Dilution Chart on the Babies and Children page.
Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler
Internal: Palmarosa is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French aromatherapy" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application. Palmarosa is suitable as a mouth rinse with water (rinse and spit) for oral infection. Click here for information about internal usage.
2. Palmerosa has become a friend of mine. I use it on my face during the summer when I want to wear something a little lighter than my usual Frankincense in castor oil. My husband has also used it to soothe razor burn. - Savannah
Robert Tisserand wrote in the Complete Skin Care Series: "Palmarosa oil contains some 80% geraniol. The EU legislation paints geraniol as an allergen, though as I illustrated in the Irritation and Allergy video, none of 1,500 dermatitis patients patch tested with geraniol reacted to it. In other similar research there have been a small number of reactions to geraniol, and I do recommend a maximum topical limit of 6.5% for palmarosa oil, in line with the IFRA guideline of 5.4% for geraniol. In human testing, 8% palmarosa oil was non-irritant and non-sensitizing. I am not aware of any reports of adverse reactions to it."
Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil.” We are not aware of a case where essential oil in the eyes caused permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.
