| Pelargonium graveolens | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Geraniales |
| Family: | Geraniaceae |
| Genus: | Pelargonium |
| Species: | P. graveolens |
| Binomial name | |
| Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér.[1] |
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Pelargonium graveolens is a species in the Pelargonium genus, which is indigenous to various parts of southern Africa, and in particular South Africa. It is often called geranium as it falls within the plant family Geraniaceae, although more correctly, it is referred to as Pelargonium. This specific species has great importance in the perfume industry. It is cultivated on a large scale and its foliage is distilled for its scent. P. graveolens cultivars have a wide variety of smells, including rose, citrus, mint, coconut and nutmeg, as well as various fruits. However, the most commercially important varieties are those that have rose scents.
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Common names include rose geranium [1][2][3], old fashion rose geranium[2], and rose-scent geranium[1]. Pelargonium graveolens is also known by taxonomic synonyms "Geranium terebinthinaceum Cav." and Pelargonium terebinthinaceum (Cav.) Desf."[1] "Rose geranium" is sometimes used to refer to "Pelargonium incrassatum (Andrews) Sims" or its synonym "Pelargonium roseum - the herbal name- (Andrews) DC."[4] Commercial vendors often list the source of geranium or rose geranium essential oil as Pelargonium graveolens regardless of its herbal botanical name.
Pelargonium distillates and absolutes, commonly known as "geranium oil," is sold for aromatherapy and massage therapy applications is sometimes used to supplement or adulterate more expensive rose oils. Other applications include
A variety that matches this name is Lady Plymouth Geranium. Rose Geranium's botanical name is Pelargonium radula
The flower contains 0.6-1% methylhexaneamine, which has not been studied intensively and its pharmacological profile has not been evaluated since Eli Lilly filed its patent in 1944, stating that the stimulant effects on the CNS are less than that of amphetamine and ephedrine.
The LD50 for methylhexaneamine is 39 mg/kg for intravenous and 185 mg/kg for intraperitoneal administration (mouse).[8][9] This is equivalent to 2.65 grams intravenously injected for a 150 lb(68 kg) adult. The true LD50 for humans is unknown; a typical dose for supplementation with the pure extract is 25-50mg, or about 0.5mg per kg of body weight.
In 2009, the World Anti-Doping Agency added methylhexanamine to the 2010 prohibited list.[10]