Known traditionally as the “balance oil,” rose geranium is characterized in TCM by its rich floral aroma, slightly cool nature, and meridian affinity to the liver, spleen, and kidney. Its functions include soothing the liver to relieve stagnation, clearing heat and cooling the blood, and strengthening the spleen to resolve dampness. It is particularly suitable for patterns such as liver fire due to stagnation, heat in the blood, or damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, which may manifest as mood swings, skin allergies, edema, or menopausal symptoms. Extracted through modern steam distillation, the essential oil is rich in citronellol and geraniol, offering dual benefits of aromatherapy and external TCM treatment.

• Soothing the Liver and Regulating Menstruation, Harmonizing Blood and Calming the Mind
The liver governs free flow and regulates qi dynamics. Rose geranium essential oil can clear and relieve liver stagnation, making it useful for premenstrual irritability, breast distension, or irregular menstruation caused by constrained liver qi. Diluted and massaged on acupoints such as Taichong (LR3), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Qimen (LR14), it harmonizes qi and blood and relieves stagnation to calm the mind, reflecting the TCM principle that “the liver is a resilient organ, embodying yin in substance and yang in function.”

• Clearing Heat and Cooling the Blood, Detoxifying and Purifying the Skin
This oil can clear constrained heat in the blood layer, making it beneficial for acne, rosacea, or sensitive skin caused by blood heat. TCM holds that “sores, pain, and itching are related to the heart.” Its cooling and moistening properties can clear heart fire and resolve blood toxins. Used diluted in compresses or blended with aloe vera gel, it aligns with the TCM treatment principles that “the lung governs the skin and body hair” and “blood heat should be cooled.”

• Strengthening the Spleen and Resolving Dampness, Harmonizing the Sanjiao (Triple Burner)
Rose geranium has the effect of awakening the spleen and promoting dampness resolution, making it suitable for sticky taste in the mouth, abdominal distension, or lower limb edema due to spleen deficiency with dampness. Applying 2–3 diluted drops to acupoints like Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Gongsun (SP4) can enhance transportation and transformation, embodying the TCM concept that “the spleen governs the movement of stomach fluids.”

• Balancing the Pivot Mechanism, Guiding Fire Back to Its Source
Its aroma has a dual regulatory effect on yin and yang—neither overstimulating nor oversedating. It is suitable for insomnia, hot flashes, or cold hands and feet caused by heat above and cold below or heart-kidney imbalance. Diffusion or diluted application to Guanyuan (CV4) and Yongquan (KI1) can facilitate communication between the heart and kidney and balance heat and cold, resonating with the core philosophy in 《Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases》: “When yin and yang are self-harmonized, recovery will follow.”