Palmarosa Essential Oil

Latin name Cymbopogon martinii stapf var motia – Family species Graminaceae

Palmarosa is a sweet smelling grass that is also sometimes found as two words – Palma Rosa – and is also sometimes referred to as (Indian) Rosha Grass, (East) Indian Geranium, Turkish Geranium, Motia, Andropogon martinii, and Andropogon martinii var motia. Its oil has a history of being used to adulterate rose oil. Palmarosa Grass is closely related to Citronella Grass (the source of citronella essential oil) and Lemon Grass (the source of lemongrass essential oil).

Oil Selection Guide

Color – Pale yellow to olive green
Viscosity – Watery to medium
Scent – Sweet, floral, lemony, rose-like, geranium-like
Perfume Aroma – Middle / top note

Oil Source Information

Plant Type – Grass
Part Used – Whole
Countries of Origin – Nepal, India, Brazil, Africa, Indonesia, Comoro Islands
Extraction Method – Steam / water distillation

Known Chemical Constituents

geraniol, geranyl acetate, linalool, alpha humulene, beat caryophyllene, farnesol, methylheptenone, citronellol, citral, dipentene, limonene

Applications and Uses

Palmarosa is used in aromatherapy and can also be found in perfumery, cosmetics and soaps.

Palmarosa blends well with

Precautions / Contraindications

See Essential Oils Safety and Usage.

References and Resources

See Aromatherapy References and Resources page.

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