via American Spa Magazine . Embrace springtime with the fresh, floral benefits of geranium . Known for its healing properties, geranium was once associated with Venus, the ancient Roman goddess of love, sensuality, and victory. One whiff of its floral and feminine scent, and you’ll understand why geranium has a reputation for being at once soothing and completely invigorating. In fact, Roman soldiers used its essential oil to instill courage and self-confidence before battle, and during medieval times, people planted geranium around their cottages as a means of protection from evil spirits. In Britain in the 1800s, geranium was a widely accepted treatment for tuberculosis. Today, geranium oil—extracted from the flower’s stem and leaves via distillation—is still sought after for medicinal purposes. Because of its antibacterial qualities, it’s often applied to wounds in order to ward off infection. Geranium’s classification as an astringent means it has the ability to cont