Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Palmarosa

4.8 - 787 reviews
A powerful purifier, Palmarosa essential oil is reputed to purify skin that is prone to discomfort or blemishes. With its pleasant scent, Palmarosa essential oil is traditionally used for foot care. Fresh and flowery, Palmarosa essential oil can be used to create deodorants with feminine notes.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Suitable

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Possible but not recommended

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Aerial parts

Botanical name

Cymbopogon Martinii var. Motia

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Bibliographic references

Baudoux D. (2002) L'Aromathérapie - Se soigner par les huiles essentielles. Editions Amyris.

Baudoux D. (2002) Huiles essentielles : 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapiques pour une médecine d'avenir. Editions Inspir.

Baudoux D. (2010) Les cahiers pratiques d'aromathérapie selon l'école française - Pédiatrie. Edition Inspir S.A.

Bosson L. et Dietz G. (2004) L'aromathérapie énergétique. Guérir avec l'âme des plantes. Editions Amyris.

Festy D. (2008) Ma bible des huiles essentielles. Edition Leduc.S.

Festy D. (2010) Soigner ses enfants avec les huiles essentielles. Edition Leducs. S.

Franchomme P., Jollois R. et Pénoël D. (2001) L'Aromathérapie exactement. Editions Roger Jollois.

Laparé M.-C. (2000) Les huiles essentielles et les soins de la peau. Editions de Mortagne.

Maillard A. (2016) Le grand guide de l’aromathérapie. Editions J’ai lu.

N.A.R.D (6) Aroma News N°6. Editions Inspir.

N.A.R.D (25) Aroma News N°25. Editions Inspir.

Purchon N. (2001) La bible de l'aromathérapie. Editions Marabout.

Telphon T. (2003) ABC des Huiles Essentielles. Editions Grancher.

Willem J.-P. (2005) Les huiles essentielles - Médecine d'avenir. Editions Dauphin.

Properties

Palmarosa essential oil is traditionally used for: Acne, spots, eczema, bedsores, fungal infections

Health

Wellness

Beauty

Find out more

A powerfulantibacterial and antifungal agent thanks to its geraniol content, Palmarosa essential oil is traditionally used to help get rid of all types of fungal and skin infections.

Properties

In terms of health, Palmarosa essential oil is recognised for the following benefits:

  • Broad-spectrum antibacterial agent

  • Powerful anti-fungal agent

  • Antiviral, supports immunity

  • Promotes lymphatic drainage

  • Supports the uterus; traditionally used to promote contractions and ease childbirth

Uses

Palmarosa essential oil is traditionally used to improve the following issues:

  • Skin, digestive and gynaecological fungal infections

  • Urogenital conditions: cystitis

  • Rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis, ear infections

  • Skin conditions: wounds, eczema, bedsores

In practice

Skin problems: mixed into your oil blend for topical application.

Precautions

  • Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, or in children under 6 years old.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

  • Internal use reserved for therapists. Risk of drug interactions.

  • Always dilute for cutaneous application.

  • Some natural compounds in this essential oil may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals when incorporated into a cosmetic formulation.

  • Avoid using old or oxidized essential oils. Store away from light and air.

  • As a general rule, always perform a patch test by applying your preparation to the inside of your elbow at least 48 hours before use.

  • For use as a cosmetic ingredient, refer to specific precautions.

Find out more

This botanical plant with long, narrow leaves belongs to the Poaceae botanical family and is a related to citronella. Native to India and Vietnam, Palmarosa is also known as Indian Geranium, due to the sweet, light and floral fragrance of its flowers, which is reminiscent of Geranium or Rose. It is also found in tropical regions, as well as on islands in the Tropic of Capricorn, such as Madagascar.

Its leaves, which are highly aromatic when crushed, are used to obtain an essential oil with a distinctive scent due to its geraniol content. Its composition has long been recognised for its bactericidal and fungicidal properties, and it is traditionally used as a complement to treatments for skin problems,eczema and fungal infections. This oil is not recommended for pregnant women, as it may induce childbirth.

I'm currently using it for foot care, and I'm happy with the initial results so far.

I
Isabelle

The cost is excessive

P
Patrizia

THE PRODUCTS ARE OF EXCELLENT QUALITY

H
Hugo

The label has changed but has the composition also changed? Disappointed by this new scent

N
Nicolas

Used for a long time, a must-have!

V
Veruschka

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier Oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Seborrhoeic dermatitis (A. Maillard)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

To be made in a 50 g jar

  • Rose geranium essential oil, Pelargonium graveolens CV Egypt 1 g

  • Menthol eucalyptus essential oil, Eucalyptus dives 1 g

  • Palmarosa essential oil, Cymbopogon martinii 1 g

  • Tea tree essential oil, Melaleuca alternifolia 1 g

  • Copahu balm, Copaifera officinalis 1 g

  • Jojoba oil 1 g

  • Aloe vera gel 44 g

Use: Apply generously to the areas to be treated (skin or scalp), at least twice a day (every evening for the scalp and shampoo the next morning), for 15 days DIRECTIONS: equipment required: a mini-mortar, a mini-scale, a mini-pestle or a mini-whisk. Place the mortar on the scale and tare it. Weigh all the essential oils in the quantities indicated, then add the jojoba carrier oil and blend with the whisk. Then add up to 50 g of aloe vera gel. Mix off the scales until the two phases are completely miscible. This gel should be kept in a cool place and used within two months.

Extract from the book 'Le grand guide de l'aromathérapie et des soins beauté naturels', by Aude Maillard and Aroma-Zone, published by J'ai Lu, 2016

Fungal skin infections (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Palmarosa Essential Oil - 2 ml

  • Tea Tree Essential Oil 1 ml

  • Rose Geranium Essential Oil - 1 ml

  • Litsea cubeba Essential Oil - 0.5 ml

  • Bay Laurel Essential Oil - 1 ml

  • 30 ml Calophyllum Inophyle carrier oil as a supplement

Use: 3 to 4 topical applications a day until noticeable improvement.

Dry eczema (P. Franchomme)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • HE Lavandula Angustifolia (True Lavender) 0.5 ml

  • Cympopogon Martinii essential oil (Palmarosa) 0.5 ml

  • HV Calophyllum Inophylum 10 ml

  • HV Rosa rubiginosa (Rose hip) 30 ml

Use: 3 to 4 topical applications a day, depending on improvement.

Athlete's foot, skin candidiasis in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Egyptian Rose Geranium essential oil: 3 drops

  • Bay Laurel essential oil: 2 drops

  • Palmarosa essential oil: 3 drops

  • Thujanol Thyme essential oil (can be replaced with Thujanol Marjoram essential oil): 2 drops

Use: Apply 2 to 3 drops of the mixture topically 2 to 3 times a day.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis in adults (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Artemisia Dracunculus (Tarragon) essential oil: 1 ml

  • Lavandula vera (True Lavender) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Cymbopogon martinii (Palmarosa) essential oil: 3 ml

  • Wheatgerm carrier oil: additional 50 ml

Use: 3 topical applications a day, in addition to a healthy diet supplemented with essential fatty acids.

Acne in teenagers (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Rose Geranium Essential Oil: 5 drops

  • Carrot Essential Oil: 10 drops

  • Palmarosa essential oil: 10 drops

  • Tea tree essential oil: 5 drops

  • Sweet almond oil: 2 tablespoons

Use : Stir vigorously before each application. Pour 3 to 4 drops of the mixture into the palm of your hand and gently apply. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe off with a soft, clean cloth.

Excessive sweating (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Palmarosa essential oil 2 drops

  • Cistus essential oil 2 drops

  • Rose geranium essential oil 2 drops

  • Clary sage essential oil 1 drop

Use: 2 drops of the mixture applied to the skin 2 times a day.

Eczema in children (over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Geranium essential oil: 2 ml

  • Palmarosa: 1 ml

  • Chamomile essential oil: 1 ml

  • True lavender essential oil: 2 ml

  • Calendula oil: 8 ml

  • Rose hip carrier oil: 8 ml

  • Evening primrose carrier oil: 8 ml

Use: Apply a few drops of this formula (depending on the area to be treated) at least 3 times a day. You can repeat as many times as necessary, without limits.

Psoriasis in adults and children (over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

Solid form (gel)

  • Jatamansi spikenard essential oil: 0.5 ml

  • Myrrh essential oil: 1 ml

  • Palmarosa essential oil: 1 ml

  • Roman chamomile essential oil: 1 ml

  • Cineole myrtle essential oil: 1 ml

  • Annual tansy: 0.5 ml

  • Rosemary verbenone: 0.5 ml

  • Calophylla carrier oil: 3 ml

  • Argan carrier oil: 3 ml

  • 2% carbomer gel: add 100 ml to make up

Aroma-Zone comment: carbomer gel can be replaced by a vegetable gel made from guar gum or tragacanth gum Dosage: 1 topical application 3 times a day for 3 weeks or more.