Orange Essential Oil

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citrus sinensis

Orange essential oil is a natural product commonly used in aromatherapy. Thought to possess healing properties, orange essential oil contains the aromatic compounds of the Sweet Orange plant (Citrus sinensis).

Special Precautions of Orange essential oil

See precautions aromatherapy

The benefits of Orange essential oil are

Peels from any member of the Sweet Orange family have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine at least since the writing of the Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica, written in the second century BC. The little known fact is that there are substantially more enzymes, flavonoids, and phyto-nutrients in the peel of the Orange rather than the fruit. The peel is where all the essential components accumulate and they may be found in three main sections of the peel; the flavedo, albedo, and oil sacs. It is believed that the Sweet Orange has its origins in China and from here it has been cultivated in virtually every country across the globe with most of the current production coming from Florida, California and parts of the Mediterranean.

  • Immune Boosting : Orange oil assists the immune system by being a potent antioxidant and fighting free radicals which undermine health on so many levels. Orange helps to increase absorption of vitamin C, assists the detoxification processes of the body, and all of these things combined equal a stronger immune system.
  • Anxiety : Breathing in the scent of orange essential oil may help alleviate anxiety, according to a small study published in Physiology & Behavior in 2000. For the study, 72 people (ages 22 to 57) were placed in one of two waiting rooms prior to undergoing a dental treatment: in the first waiting room, an electrical dispenser was used to diffuse the aroma of orange essential oil; in the second room, there was no ambient odor. Study results showed that participants exposed to the aroma of orange essential oil (especially females) had lower levels of anxiety and a more positive mood than those in the control group.In a more recent study (published in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry in 2010), scientists found that exposure to the aroma of orange essential oil significantly reduced anxiety in rats during a maze-based experiment.
  • Lymphatic stimulation and anti inflammatory properties : promoting lymph circulation (Oils of the citrus family are notable for this.)
  • Food Poisoning : A number of laboratory studies suggest that orange essential oil may possess antibacterial properties that could be useful in destroying bacteria known to cause food poisoning. For instance, a test-tube study published in the Journal of Food Science in 2008 determined that orange essential oil helped inhibit the effects of Salmonella. Since there is currently a lack of clinical trials testing the use of orange essential oil against foodborne pathogens, it's too soon to recommend orange essential oil for prevention or treatment of food poisoning. It's also important to note that orange essential oil should not be taken internally without the supervision of a health professional.
  • Anti-Fungal : A 2010 Indian study found the essential oil from Citrus sinensis to be a potent and non-toxic anti-fungal, completely inhibiting aflatoxin B1, a poisonous and cancer-causing chemical caused by mold.
  • Cancer : D-limonene is a super-nutrient that occurs in Orange Essential Oil. It has been studied extensively for its ability to prevent cellular mutations and combat cancer tumor growth.
  • colds and flu
  • Digestion : It is known to promote digestion, ease constipation and increase the absorption of vitamin C. Use as a massage oil in the abdominal area. Because it is a potent, natural anti-inflammatory, it can also release the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
  • constipation
  • depression
  • Anti-inflammatory : The anti-inflammatory properties of orange are well known. The research thus far has mainly been on animals, but we are beginning to see more human trials coming through. One 2015 French study on rats with colitis found d-limonene to have anti-inflammatory properties and worked as well as ibuprofen. The same study also investigated the effects of d-limonene on older people. Researchers noted “d-Limonene indeed demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects both in vivo and in vitro.”
  • stress : Orange has long been observed to have calming effects on the human nervous system. We now have research to reinforce ancient knowledge. Research published in 2013 in Advanced Biomedical Research on 30 children, aged 6-9, about to undergo two dental procedures had interesting results. Each child was given aromatherapy treatments with orange in one session and no aromatherapy during the second visit. They found that the children had reduced cortisol levels and pulse rates when receiving the aromatherapy, and this led to decreased anxiety
  • Reduces Blood Pressure, Protects Heart : Japanese researchers in 1986 examined the hypotensive (blood pressure reducing) properties of flavonoids extracted from orange peels. The researchers discovered that these compounds (also present in orange oil) did indeed have a blood pressure reducing effect on the rats they studied.
  • Skin Cleansing and Anti-Aging : Because orange oil is such a wonderful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial, it is especially good for the skin. From teenagers with acne to dry, aging skin, orange has a role to play. It helps to eradicate bacteria, boosts collagen, decreases skin wrinkles, and protects against UV damage.
  • Pain relieving : In 2007, Brazilian researchers examined the role of d-limonene for pain relief. Nociceptors are sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system which alert us to potentially harmful stimuli such as heat, pressure, etc. The scientists found that d-limonene significantly inhibited nociceptors, similar to an analgesic. Japanese scientists in 2016 made similar findings, noting that d-limonene had inhibitory effects on nociceptors when administered systemically.
  • Alzheimer support : A 2009 Japanese study found that using orange (and other essential oils) may aid in improving cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients.