Geranium Bourbon (Pelargonium graveolens)
A luxurious, rose-like geranium oil grown on Reunion Island, valued for its especially rich floral aroma in beauty blends.
How to use it
3–5 drops for a luxurious floral scent in perfume-style blends.
Dilute 2–5% in a carrier oil for DIY hair and skin recipes aimed at a radiant look.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Generally well tolerated, but its citronellol and geraniol are recognised fragrance allergens — patch-test if you have sensitive skin.
- Not phototoxic.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 79 GC-MS samples across 25 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2020–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
These figures represent Pelargonium graveolens across the literature. Geranium Bourbon is a specific origin or cultivar of that species, so its exact proportions can sit anywhere within these published ranges.
- Oxygenated monoterpene 80.2%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 8.9%
- Unclassified 5.3%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 3.7%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 1.8%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| citronellol ↗ C10H20O | 28.2% | 25.0–36.8% | 45.6% | |
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| geraniol ↗ C10H18O | 12.5% | 10.3–18.1% | 38.7% | |
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| citronellyl formate ↗ C11H20O2 | 8.5% | 7.3–10.1% | 15.6% | |
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| linalool ↗ C10H18O | 4.9% | 2.5–6.5% | 12.4% | |
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| menthone ↗ C10H18O | 2.7% | 1.5–4.2% | 7.3% | |
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| geranyl formate ↗ C11H18O2 | 2.4% | 1.3–3.8% | 6.1% | |
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| geranyl tiglate ↗ C15H24O2 | 1.8% | 1.3–2.6% | 4.1% | |
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| geranyl butyrate ↗ C14H24O2 | 1.3% | 1.1–2.2% | 5.3% | |
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| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 1.3% | 1.0–1.8% | 2.5% | |
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| cis-rose oxide ↗ C10H18O | 1.2% | 0.5–1.6% | 2.3% | |
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| β-bourbonene ↗ C15H24 | 1.1% | 0.9–1.5% | 1.8% | |
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| germacrene d ↗ C15H24 | 0.8% | 0.4–1.1% | 4.1% | |
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+ 133 more compounds reported across the dataset.
25 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Ahmed AMA, Khalid KA. (2023). Glutathione to ameliorate growth criterions and chemical constituents of geranium irrigated with salt water. Heliyon.
- Samy A, Helal NM, El-Araby MM, Abdallah WE. (2026). Anticancer and antioxidant activities of Pelargonium graveolens L., Mentha longifolia L., and Chrysanthemum frutescens L. under salt stress. Scientific reports.
- Gerami N, Rahimmalek M, Gholami M, Tohidi B, Szumny A. (2025). Changes in Phytochemical, Physiological, and Morphological Traits in <i>Pelargonium graveolens</i> as Affected by Drought Stress and <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i> Extract. International journal of molecular sciences.
- AbuEl-Leil EF, AbdelRahman MAE, Desoukey SF. (2024). Effect of kaolin on productivity, anatomical and biochemical responses to water deficit in Pelargonium graveolens grown in sandy soil. BMC plant biology.
- Abou El-Leel OF, AbouEl-Leil EF, Aly AA. (2025). Evaluation of in vitro-geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) plants affected by irradiation and chemical mutagens. BMC plant biology.
- Scheau C, Pop CR, Rotar AM, Socaci S, Mălinaș A, Zăhan M, Coldea ȘD, Pop VC, Fit NI, Chirilă F, Criveanu HR, Oltean I. (2024). The Influence of Physical Fields (Magnetic and Electric) and LASER Exposure on the Composition and Bioactivity of Cinnamon Bark, Patchouli, and Geranium Essential Oils. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Al-Mijalli SH, Mrabti HN, Assaggaf H, Attar AA, Hamed M, Baaboua AE, Omari NE, Menyiy NE, Hazzoumi Z, Sheikh RA, Zengin G, Sut S, Dall'Acqua S, Bouyahya A. (2022). Chemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oils at Three Different Phenological Stages. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Niculau EDS, Alves PB, Nogueira PCL, Romão LPC, Cunha GDC, Blank AF, Silva AC. (2020). Chemical Profile and Use of the Peat as an Adsorbent for Extraction of Volatile Compounds from Leaves of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L' Herit). Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Sabotinova D, Boycheva P, Ivanova N, Andonova V, Georgiev V, Zhelev I. (2026). Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of the Aerial Parts of <i>Pelargonium radula</i> and <i>Geranium macrorrhizum</i> Cultivated in Bulgaria Using GC-MS and HPLC. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- Sereia MOP, Santos EAD, Leite LP, Neves RC, Marin VR, Ferreira H, Contiero J, Sass DC. (2025). Synergistic Effect of Essential Oils and Rhamnolipid on <i>Xanthomonas citri</i> Subsp. <i>citri</i>. Microorganisms.
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Dusemund B. (2023). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the herbaceous parts of Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. (geranium rose oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Abdel-Ghany HSM, Ayoob F, Elsawy BSM, Alzan HF, Youssef AA, Abdel-Shafy S. (2026). Acaricidal and synergistic activity of essential oils, their binary combinations, and nanoemulsions against larvae and unfed adult stages of brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae). BMC veterinary research.
- Oliyaei N, Awlqadr FH, Irajie C, Yazdanpanah S, Zomorodian K, Iraji A. (2026). Preparation and Characterization of Emulsion-Based Fucoidan-Whey Protein Film Activated With Geranium Essential Oil for Food Applications. Food science & nutrition.
- Alvand ZM, Aghamir F, Torabi K, Parseghian L, Ghassempour A, Mirjalili MH, Rafati H. (2026). Antibacterial activity of pelargonium graveolens essential oil nanoemulsion evaluated by microfluidics and DESI mass spectrometry. Scientific reports.
- Benzaid C, Djendi ML, Touaibia S, Klaiaia LR, Kihal A, Tichati L, Soussa A, Rouabhia M. (2026). <i>Pelargonium graveolens</i> essential oil against clinical <i>Candida</i> and reference isolates: insights into virulence inhibition and therapeutic perspectives. Frontiers in fungal biology.
- Sadek HE, Abd-Elatef EA. (2026). Insecticidal activity, chemical characterization, and biochemical responses induced by selected essential oils against Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Scientific reports.
- Gavzan H, Azimi R, Mashayekhpour MA, Tabari MA, Shayestehmehr R. (2025). The anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil nanoemulsion in mice. Scientific reports.
- Dumlupinar B, Karatoprak GŞ, Demirci B, Akkol EK, Sobarzo-Sánchez E. (2023). Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Composition of Geranium Oil and Its Synergistic Potential against Pneumococci with Various Antibiotic Combinations. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Karadağ AE, Biltekin SN, Demirci B, Demirci F, Ghani U. (2023). Comparative In Vitro and In Silico Enzyme Inhibitory Screening of Rosa x damascena and Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oils and Geraniol. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Seo E, Cho Y, Lee JM, Seol GH. (2023). Inhalation of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Related Anxiety and Stress in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Moderate to Severe Pain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
- Said AA, Nasr Y, Galal AAA, Abdelhamid AE, Mohamed HA, Metwally MMM, Said MA, Nassan MA, Dahran N, Mohamed AA. (2022). Concerns with Male Infertility Induced by Exposure to Titanium Nanoparticles and the Supporting Impact of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil: Morphometric Records in Male-Wistar Rats. Life (Basel, Switzerland).
- Ibrahium SM, Aboelhadid SM, Wahba AA, Farghali AA, Miller RJ, Abdel-Baki AS, Al-Quraishy S. (2022). Preparation of geranium oil formulations effective for control of phenotypic resistant cattle tick Rhipicephalus annulatus. Scientific reports.
- Jaradat N, Hawash M, Qadi M, Abualhasan M, Odetallah A, Qasim G, Awayssa R, Akkawi A, Abdullah I, Al-Maharik N. (2022). Chemical Markers and Pharmacological Characters of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil from Palestine. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Rosato A, Altini E, Sblano S, Salvagno L, Maggi F, de Michele G, Carocci A, Clodoveo ML, Corbo F, Fracchiolla G. (2021). Synergistic Activity of New Diclofenac and Essential Oils Combinations against Different Candida spp. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
- Senthil Kumar KJ, Gokila Vani M, Wang CS, Chen CC, Chen YC, Lu LP, Huang CH, Lai CS, Wang SY. (2020). Geranium and Lemon Essential Oils and Their Active Compounds Downregulate Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), a SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding Domain, in Epithelial Cells. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Citronellol — a rose-scented alcohol central to geranium bourbon's aroma and its studied antibacterial activity El Aanachi et al. (2015), Phytothérapie
Perfumers have long favored it as a partial substitute for the far more expensive rose absolute.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Geranium oil has been studied for antibacterial activity in the laboratory, in line with its citronellol and geraniol content. This is an in-vitro finding, not evidence it treats infections.
El Aanachi et al. (2015), Phytothérapie
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Geranium Bourbon's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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The 'Bourbon' geranium of Réunion is built on citronellol and geraniol like other geraniums, and is valued for a particularly full, rose-like aroma.
El Aanachi et al. (2015), Phytothérapie
Frequently asked questions
What makes 'Bourbon' geranium special?
'Bourbon' refers to geranium grown on Réunion (formerly Île Bourbon), traditionally regarded as a premium origin with a especially rich, rosy aroma. Chemically it's the same citronellol/geraniol species as other geraniums. El Aanachi et al. (2015), Phytothérapie
Is geranium bourbon safe for sensitive skin?
It's usually gentle when diluted, but like all geraniums it contains citronellol and geraniol, which are recognised allergens. Patch-test first if your skin reacts easily. El Aanachi et al. (2015), Phytothérapie
Is geranium bourbon phototoxic?
No — it isn't a citrus oil and isn't phototoxic, so there's no sun-exposure restriction. Just dilute it for skin use.
Gallery
Geranium Bourbon is a Pelargonium graveolens oil grown specifically on Réunion Island — a French volcanic island in the Indian Ocean historically called Bourbon Island under French colonial rule, from which the “Bourbon” name derives (unrelated to American whiskey or the vanilla of the same name from nearby Madagascar). The island’s volcanic soil and climate are widely regarded within the fragrance industry as producing an especially rich, rose-like geranium.
Extraction & Aroma
The oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and stems of the geranium plant, yielding a composition dominated by citronellol — often 20–30% of the oil — the same rose-like alcohol found in true rose oil, alongside geraniol and linalool, which add sweetness and a soft, slightly citrusy-floral facet. The combination gives Bourbon geranium a fuller, more luxurious floral profile than geranium grown in other regions, which is why perfumers have long favored it as a partial substitute for the far more expensive rose absolute.
Traditional & Everyday Uses
In the diffuser: 3–5 drops gives a luxurious floral scent, a popular choice for perfume-style diffuser blends aiming for a rosy, sophisticated aroma without the cost of true rose oil.
On skin: diluted to 2–5% in a carrier oil, geranium bourbon is a favorite ingredient in DIY hair and skin recipes aimed at a shinier, more radiant look — appearance-focused, cosmetic benefits rather than any medical claim.
Pairs Well With
Rose, if budget allows, for an even richer floral; citrus oils like bergamot for a brighter, more wearable perfume blend; patchouli for depth in a warmer composition.
Sourcing Note
The “Bourbon” designation refers to the growing region, not a different species from standard Pelargonium graveolens — it’s the terroir, much like how wine grapes vary in character by region, that gives this particular geranium its distinct, sought-after richness.