Geranium Macrorrhizum (Zdravetz)

NaturalGREENS, HERBS & FOUGERESgreen · fresh · floral

HeartPyramid

3/5Strength

—Tenacity

1Origins

Specimen

Geranium macrorrhizum

Definition

Green, rosy-herbal, with a particular earthy-musky depth. Zdravetz smells like wild Balkan geranium after rain -- pungent leaves, damp soil, and a warm rose-like sweetness rising from the roots.

ZDRAVETZ BULGARIAN GERANIUM

Type: Ingredient
Olfactive family: Aromatic
Subfamily: Green notes
Cluster: Green leafy notes
Source: leaves and stems
Chemical class: complex natural (essential oil)

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

3/5Strength

Medium

odour strength

Producing countries

Bulgaria

Scent

Green-herbal, rosy, with a particular earthy-musky depth from germacrone. Earthier and less citrusy than Pelargonium geranium, with a warm, almost animalic undertone. The rose quality is present but surrounded by green leaves and damp soil. Think of wild geranium on a Balkan mountainside rather than a pruned garden pelargonium.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

Terroir & Transformation

The Full Story

Geranium macrorrhizum (zdravetz, bigroot geranium) is a different plant from the Pelargonium graveolens used for standard geranium oil in perfumery. Native to the Balkans, zdravetz grows wild in Bulgarian and Macedonian mountain forests. The essential oil, steam-distilled from the aerial parts, has a character distinct from pelargonium: greener, earthier, more musky, and with a pronounced germacrone content.

The volatile profile is dominated by germacrone (a sesquiterpene with a warm, woody-earthy character), geraniol and citronellol (rosy), and green-herbal terpenes. What makes zdravetz unique is the ratio: the germacrone gives it a musky, almost animalic depth absent from pelargonium geranium. Bulgarian perfumers and aromatherapists consider it a distinct material with its own identity.

In perfumery, zdravetz functions as a rosy-green heart note with unusual earthy-musky depth. It bridges rose and patchouli territory: floral enough for a rose accord, earthy enough for a woody-green one. The note works in chypre, green-floral, and Balkan-terroir compositions.

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Related: Acronychia Pedunculata · Adoxal · Agave · Algae · Aloe Vera · Aromatic Notes · Asparagus · Avocado

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

Steam distillation of fresh or dried aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers) of Geranium macrorrhizum. Production is concentrated in Bulgaria. Oil yield is approximately 0.1-0.3%.

Formula: Complex mixture (no single formula)
CAS: 68991-32-2
Botanical: Geranium macrorrhizum
Appearance: Dark olive green viscous liquid to semi-crystalline
Odour strength: Medium
Synonyms: ZDRAVETZ BULGARIAN GERANIUM

IFRA status

See note

No IFRA Standard for the material itself (51st Amendment)

Physical properties

Flash point: > 200.00 °F. TCC ( > 93.33 °C. )
Specific gravity: 0.93800 to 0.96800 @ 20.00 °C.
Refractive index: 1.50030 to 1.51890 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Zdravetz (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a rosy-green heart note with earthy-musky depth, distinct from standard pelargonium geranium oil. Its high germacrone content provides a warm, woody-animalic undertone absent from pelargonium. The oil bridges rose and patchouli territory. It works in chypre, green-floral, and Balkan-terroir compositions. Pairs with rose, vetiver, oakmoss, and bergamot.

Role in the formula

01diffusion enhancer

02modifier

03signature note

04blender

05volume builder

06freshness

Available as

essential oil