Re: Re: soapers de-lurk/rose geranium

[Guest guest]

Sophia wrote:

>We have a whole range of

>scented Pelargoniums including, camphor, nutmeg, peppermint, apple,

>and my favourite one that smells just like incense.

Hello Sophia

I have grown many, many scented Pelargoniums for decades. I really love

them. It is amazing how many different scents they come in, though the most

useful for me for potpourri-making purposes are the Rose Geranium,

Peppermint Geranium and my favorite, the Mabel Gray Lemon Geranium.

Which scented Pelargonium smells just like incense? Which areas of

South Africa can one find scented Pelargoniums growing in the wild?

Mark

[Guest guest]

zalynxza wrote:

> Hi

>

> Rose Geranium - Pelargonium graveolens - is indigenoeous here in South

> Africa. Traditionally it was used for a whole range of stomach

> ailments, as well giving a good night's sleep. Metaphysically it is

> used as a balancing oil. Associated with Venus, Feminine and water

> element.(interestingly the same as rose) We have a whole range of

> scented Pelargoniums including, camphor, nutmeg, peppermint, apple,

> and my favourite one that smells just like incense. I get my

> Geranium oil from a local distiller who does a whole range of

> indigenous fragrant plants. I haven't seen any oils from the other

> Pelargonium - I am trying to convince him to some of the others too.

>

> I never use it to imitate rose, but rather for its own sake. I find

> that Patchouli gives it depth.

>

> Sophia

Hi Sophia:

When I first discovered scented geraniums 30 years ago, I fell in love

with them. The almond, lemon, orange, rose, mint, allspice, etc., etc.

In Southern California, which is similar to South Africa in climate and

rainfall, there were hills covered with scented geraniums, and the spicy

beauty of their scents were lifted by the breeze after the hot sun

teased the oils from the leaves. I also discovered the Carissa

grandiflora, also native to S. Africa at the same time. I harvest the

flowers from a neighbor's bush here.

I do love the rose geraniums, in all their interbred glory, and don't

understand why some folks find them harsh or " off " . Lovely stuff.

--

Anya

Anya's Garden http://AnyasGarden.com - perfumes, aromatics, classes,

consultation

Natural Perfumers Guild + blog with daily updates

1500+ member Natural Perfumery group -

/

[Guest guest]

zalynxza wrote:

> Hi Beth

>

> I do not know what " Rose Geraniums' are available abroad but here in

> South Africa, most of the local distillers use Pelargonium graveolens,

> which is locally known as the " rose geranium " . As you may of the 230+

> species of Pelargonium, 185 are concentrated in the winter rainfall

> area of the south esters tip of South Africa, where I live.

Sophia, you're the first scented geranium expert we've had on the list,

and can I ask you - if you have the time - to write up a FAQ about them?

We'll put it up in the Files section so it'll be easily found by everyone.

--

Anya

Anya's Garden http://AnyasGarden.com - perfumes, aromatics, classes,

consultation

Natural Perfumers Guild + blog with daily updates

1500+ member Natural Perfumery group -

/