PALMAROSA OIL AND ITS USES

 

Palmarosa oil seems to be all the rage right now.

You’ll find this essential oil in products by the likes of Liberty, Neal’s Yard, and Austin Austin, while several celebrities like Shailene Woodley are also using palmarosa in their daily routines.

According to some, this oil can do just about everything.

Let’s see what the aestheticians and aromatherapists have to say about the benefits of palmarosa essential oil. Is it really the all-in-one ingredient we’ve been looking for?

WHAT IS IT?

Palmarosa oil is an essential oil that derives from the Cymbopogon martini plant, a type of evergreen tall grass commonly found in East Asia. When distilled into an essential oil, the main components are:

  • geraniol
  • geranyl acetate

Throughout history, palmarosa oil has been used medicinally and cosmetically. According to a study by Manufacturer of Menthol Crystals in England , palmarosa is used in Ayurvedic medicine to help alleviate skin concerns and nerve pain.

According to a research, geraniol is frequently found in cosmetic products to this day thanks to its pleasant smell. It’s also been found to be:

  • antimicrobial
  • an antioxidant
  • anti-inflammatory
  • beneficial for the nervous system
  • an insect repellent

WHAT IS PALMAROSA ESSENTIAL OIL USED FOR ?

Heal

Palmarosa Essential Oil has a high geraniol content. When applied to the epidermis, this element stimulates cellular memory, repair and regeneration.The result is a complexion that is healed, stronger and rejuvenated.

Nourish

Rich in nutrients and moisture, Palmarosa Oil penetrates deep within the tissues to replenish skin cells. With a stronger and more nourished epidermis, Palmarosa Essential Oil works to lock in hydration and reignite your skin’s radiance.

Balance

Palmarosa Essential Oil works to balance the sebum production in the skin to help maintain oil levels. With its antibacterial properties, Palmarosa Oil is great for treating oily, acne-prone skin, alongside other Essential Oils such as Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil.

 

HOW IS PALMAROSA MADE INTO AN ESSENTIAL OIL?

Palmarosa grows slowly, taking about three months to flower. As it matures, the flowers darken and redden. The crop is harvested just before the flowers turn completely red and then they’re dried out. The oil is extracted from the stem of the grass by steam distillation of the dried leaves. Distilling the leaves for 2-3 hours causes the oil to separate from the Palmarosa.

The yellowish oil contains a high concentration of the chemical compound, Geraniol. It’s highly valued for its scent, medicinal and household uses. 

 

PALMAROSA ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS

Palmarosa essential oil has a long history, but what are the scientifically proven benefits of using it on the body?

ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, AND ANTIFUNGAL PROPERTIES

A 2020 study found palmarosa’s antimicrobial and antioxidant properties may be due, in part, to the rich source of geraniol monoterpene in the palmarosa essential oil.

Still, other essentials oils may be more effective as an antimicrobial, according to a 2020 study.

The antioxidant properties of palmarosa oil were examined in a 2021 study. It was found that not only did palmarosa have antioxidant properties, but that a large variety of bioactive molecules found in the essential oil have potential for activity against insects, cancer, and protozoa infections.

Another study found that palmarosa essential oil seems to work as an antifungal by disrupting the membranes of the cells of the fungus, causing damage to the fungus.

HEALTH AND MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Thivi Maruthappu, consultant dermatologist and nutrition expert at Cadogan Clinic, says, “There are no ‘proven’ benefits of palmarosa oil.”

Nevertheless, studies suggest that there may be some medical benefits of palmarosa oil. For example, it:

  • may help reduce cholesterol
  • may help prevent liver toxicity
  • may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
  • may help support symptoms of anxiety and depression

A 2014 study  examined the effects of inhaling palmarosa oil on rats. It resulted in reduced total cholesterol and prevented toxicity in the liver.

Other studies have shown that palmarosa may provide some benefits for the nervous system.

According to a 2017 study, palmarosa oil might prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and the calming effects of the oil might help with anxiety and depression.

Still, more high quality human studies are needed to confirm or discount these potential benefits.

BEAUTY BENEFITS

Because of its potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, palmarosa oil has a long history in the beauty industry.

“Essential oils are plant hormones, which means they are phytoestrogens,” says skin and wellness expert Marie Reynolds. “They interact with our body and are absorbed by transcutaneous absorption (through the bloodstream). Ultimately, they get to work faster!”

For one thing, it can make a great hair treatment.

“Palmarosa is thought to promote healthy hair, eliminating dead skin cells when applied to the scalp and strengthening hair follicles from the root,” says Maruthappu.

However, pakmrosa oil should be used with caution on the skin. While its properties might theoretically help eliminate blemishes, prevent aging, and soothe irritation, it can simultaneously create even more congestion on the face in certain skin types. Always do a patch test  before trying a product with palmrosa oil, and mix palmrosa oil with a carrier oil before putting it on your skin.

 “I would be careful when using oils in acne-prone skin, as they can increase congestion and blackhead formation. I generally advise avoiding oils in this context with the exception of squalane, which is noncomedogenic [oil-free],” says Maruthappu.

INSECT REPELLENT

According research from 2020 on natural insect repellents, palmarosa was found to provide 100 percent protection against mosquitoes for 12 hours.

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF PALMAROSA OIL

Palmarosa is a popular oil in aromatherapy because of its purported benefits for mood.

“Emotionally, it’s a mood booster,” says certified aromatherapist Julie Leonard. “It relaxes muscles and reduces fatigue.”

It doesn’t stop there. Palmarosa can also be used to support mood during emotional vulnerability. Stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, nervous exhaustion can be nurtured by this subtle, supportive and balancing oil. It’s also great for hormones, stabilising symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, bloating and hormonal imbalance. A go-to for calming and uplifting emotions and clearing muddled thoughts. Palmarosa is a bright, sunny scent, perfect for using in a reed diffuser or burning in an oil burner on a cold winter’s day.

Leonard suggests that palmarosa aromatherapy may help support:

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • stress
  • nervousness
  • grief

Some people believe this scent can be used to:

  • calm the spirit
  • increase focus
  • balance negative emotions such as jealousy
  • increase a sense of security

Still, none of these benefits are confirmed by research.

 

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