If you have been following us, then you know what are the different types of essential oils and how beneficial they are for us. In this piece, we will be revealing yet another natural wonder – the sweet orange essential oil.
We all love the citrusy smell of this bright colored fruit. Think of it, you walk into a house or an office space with the amazing, uplifting aroma of sweet orange lingering all around you. Not only does it please your senses but it also calms down the anxious nerves and lightens your mood.
Sweet orange is an evergreen plant originating from south-western China and the Himalayas. They are believed to be the oldest cultivated fruits as per the Chinese literature. They were distributed across the world in 800 AD by Middle Eastern, African, Portuguese travelers, and traders.
While this might come across to you as an oil that you might not have heard of, but little would you know that you have been using it all along. The sweet orange essential oil is the special ingredient in most orange smelling cosmetics, body creams, soaps, toiletries, detergent, perfumes, and bath products. The essential oil of sweet orange has versatile uses and benefits and is loved for its fruity aroma. The oil has been used as a flavoring agent across major industries for the production of pharmaceutical products, cold drinks, candies or more.
Why do we need sweet orange essential oil?
Orange as a fruit is considered to be amongst the healthiest fruits in the world. It is a rich source of Vitamin C and a glass of orange juice a day is known to strengthen your immune system. The fruit itself carries amazing properties and offers many healing benefits.
The fruit of range controls and protects our cardiovascular health. Studies have been conducted to understand how citrus fruits like orange help prevent and decrease the possibility of stroke. It helps prevent the growth of cancerous tumors and helps the body get rid of antioxidants.
Every time you peel an orange you are greeted with the citrusy aroma. This rind of the fruit possesses healing properties. In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, the peel has been used to treat cold, cough, digestive spasm, treat indigestion and anorexia.
The peel has also been tested for its carminative and tonic properties. From acne to hemostatic, to countering major liver disorders, the rind of this fruit is extremely powerful.
Read more about the health benefits of orange – one of the world’s most popular fruits and about its nutritional composition. You will be surprised to know how beneficial a few servings of this fruit can be for your body.
How is the sweet orange essential oil derived?
The essential oil of sweet orange is derived from these powerful leftover rinds. The process of extraction of essential oils from the peels is through the process of cold pressing.
What are the uses and benefit of sweet orange essential oil?
Similar to the orange fruit, the oil of orange is equally powerful and effective. The oil holds myriads of uses across domestic, medicinal and industrial sectors. From working as a flavor in beverages to sweetmeats and desserts or as a fragrance agent in body lotions and skincare products, the oil is a personal favorite in the manufacturing unit.
Highlighted below are the best uses and benefits of sweet orange essential oil across industries.
1. Immunity booster
We all crave for a better immunity. If you have ever been prone to falling sick around seasonal changes or due to pollen in the air, you definitely know how badly we crave better immunity. The constantly running nose (sometimes in public), or the irritating skin rashes and itches that develop due to high dosage of antibiotics gets really heavy to deal with in the busy lifestyles.
But there is a way to bid adieu to all these problems – no more seasonal allergies and falling sick, no more skin rashes and wheezing.
Must Read: The 7 Best Natural Antibiotics – This Is What You Need The Next Time You Fall Sick
2. Relieve stress
In one of our old articles on essential oils to naturally cure headaches, we highlighted that over 4% of the world’s adult population suffers from a headache every 15 days. This is a crazy. This means that for almost half the month you are suffering from headache, primarily, due to stress.
Undoubtedly, we lead a stressful life. Neither do we have enough time to focus on our family and self-development, nor on your body.
In such cases, when you are short on time and have a rough work cycle, buy this oil. The essential oil of sweet orange has a refreshing aroma. Just dilute a few drops in your diffuser every time you return home and let it uplift your mood, alleviate the headache and relieve you.
3. Insect repellent
The next time you are on a tropical island surrounded with mosquitoes or if you have too many insects in your house, this oil is what you need. However, it is important that you apply it the right way because the oil is potent and can cause an itch on sensitive skin.
How to prepare the insect repellent lotion: Take a dark colored glass bottle and pour in an aroma-free lotion in it. Next, add a few drops of the orange essential oil to it. Close the lid and shake the bottle well. Keep this mixture away from sunlight and use whenever needed.
Instead of using the lotion, you can also add a carrier oil to the bottle. However, carrier oils in summer can be really sticky and greasy. Choose the one that nourishes your skin and does not trigger a higher production of sebum.
How to prepare the insect repellent spray: Take an empty spray bottle and fill it up with water. Now add a few drops of the sweet orange essential oil to it. Mix the bottle well and spray all over your body. To make the mixture even more potent, add about 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil. You would notice that insects and mosquitoes fly miles away from you.
Read More: How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Get Rid Of The Blood Sucking Head Lice?
4. Antibacterial and antiseptic
Another important use of sweet orange essential oil is due to its powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties. From skin to bruises to kitchen or bathrooms, the essential oil of orange can be used anywhere to wipe the bacteria off.
How to use sweet orange oil to get rid of bacteria on skin: As mentioned earlier, the oil possesses powerful antibacterial properties. To utilize these and remove bacteria from your skin, take a cleansing pad and add your regular face cleanser to it. Next, add a few drops of the orange oil to the cleansing pad and wipe off your skin with it. Add this oil to your every night cleanse, tone, moisturize beauty ritual.
How to use sweet orange essential oil in kitchen or bathrooms: Apparently, according to a study, kitchen and bathrooms are the dirtiest areas in a house. In fact, the majority of bacteria is found on kitchen tops and bathtubs, curtains, basins, and commodes.
Use the spray bottle technique mentioned above to spritz the oil all over your kitchen and bathroom. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil to the spray to use it as a room freshener. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the orange oil to your kitchen sponge and clean the counter using it.
5. Relieves inflammation
Orange essential oil is used to relieve inflammation. This oil can be used topically on the skin to reduce the redness on the skin, decrease inflammation and control the spread of bacteria. Whether you suffer from acne, dermatitis or want to treat psoriasis and eczema naturally, then this oil has to be your pick.
How to use orange essential oil to relieve skin conditions: Take a non-fragrant carrier oil like olive, coconut or jojoba oil and add a few drops of orange oil to the carrier oil. Apply this blend topically over the affected area. You could either use your hand to massage it on your skin directly or if the infection might spread to other areas, use a cotton swab to dab the blend on your affected skin.
6. Combat nervous and muscle spasms
Our sedentary lifestyles may lead to muscle and nervous spasms. This problem tends to increase with age. It is important to change your lifestyle and aid these spasms at the right time to avoid further muscular pain.
How to use orange oil to treat muscle spasms: Take a tablespoon of olive oil or another carrier oil. Add 5 to 6 drops of orange essential oil to it. Massage this blend over any spasm within the muscles of your body about 3 to 4 times a day.
7. A natural tonic
The sweet orange essential oil is considered as a natural tonic. It tones up all the systems functioning throughout the body, promotes a healthy metabolic system, boosts immunity and improves strength.
Also, this orange peel oil consists of limonene – a monocyclic monoterpene that is a powerful oxidative stress defender. Monoterpenes are extremely effective chemo-preventive agents and curb tumor growths.
8. Aids in constipation
Sweet orange oil can be used to relieve constipation. The oil possesses therapeutic properties which aid in digestion and help in improving the movement of waste in the colon.
How to use sweet orange essential oil to relieve constipation: Mix 2 drops of orange oil and 2 drops of coconut oil. Rub the blend in a circular motion over your abdomen at least 2 to 3 times a day. You will notice your constipation will ease away and soon will be gone.
9. Treats indigestion
The oil of orange contains biochemicals that can help in easing out digestive issues. It has circulation enhancing abilities that reduce inflammation within the guts and ease abdomen cramps. Use the orange oil to detoxify yourself and remove excess waste and sodium from your digestive tract. Another benefit of using the sweet orange essential oil is that it will soothe your digestive system, stimulate your liver, kidneys, bladder and lymphatic system.
How to use sweet orange oil for stomach: Take a glass of lukewarm water and add a drop or two of sweet orange essential oil. Drink this mixture once every week or whenever you feel discomfort.
10. Lower your blood pressure
Another major benefit of using sweet orange essential oil is its magical blood pressure moderating properties. The oil soothes the body and the blood vessels which regulate the pressure and thus, decreases hypertension. However, this should not be considered as a substitute for medical treatment. And those suffering from lower blood pressure, they should avoid using it.
11. Aromatherapy
The orange peel essential oil is used extensively in aromatherapy due to its therapeutic, antidepressant, stress-busting, and tranquilizing properties. Moreover, massaging the body using the orange oil soothes muscles, eases the blood vessels and relaxes the body. It reduces inflammation and prevents the development of acne on the skin.
12. Carminative
Yet another reason for using sweet orange essential oil is because of its carminative properties. With age, heartburns are common and relying on artificial medication can do more harm than good. Not only does the orange peel oil treat heartburn but it also aids in preventing excess formation of gas. It helps by relaxing anal sphincters and abdominal muscles to expel the gas easily.
13. Detoxifier
As mentioned earlier, the oil is a natural tonic. This property is doubled with its diuretic properties leads to an increase in the production of urine. In the process of passing more urine, the body eliminates toxic substances, uric acid, protein by-products, and excess salts.
This internal cleansing of the body further prevents arthritis (by removal of excessive uric acid), reduces edema, and prevents water retention in the tissues.
14. Skincare products
Without giving a second thought, you can add the oil of orange to your lip balm, body scrub, and body lotion. Its antibacterial properties will keep your skin acne free, the relaxant would leave you refreshed and energized after your shower and the sweet aroma will keep your mood uplifted.
Precautions you must take while using sweet orange essential oil:
– Pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised to never use essential oils without a prior consent from their doctors.
– Always make sure you use cold pressed sweet orange essential oil only. That is the purest form which offers maximum benefits.
– The oil is quite potent and might not suit all skin types. We recommend that you try a patch test to check if works on your skin without dilution. If you happen to notice hives, redness, itching or swelling, do not use the oil without diluting it in a carrier oil, a lotion or water.
– If you are allergic to citrus fruits or smell, we will advise you to not use this oil.
– Essential oils that are potent are highly susceptible to reacting with your regular medication. Always inform and consult your doctor before bringing these oils into practice.
– The sweet orange essential oil or other such citrus oils are photosensitive. They can increase the impact of UV exposure on our skin. This can lead to skin burn and permanent marks. Always use the oil at night and avoid sun exposure for up to 12 hours.
– Always store the oil in a dark colored glass bottle away from direct light.
– Do not, under any circumstances drink more than a few drops of the oil. It can cause nausea.
So, do you think this oil holds the potential of being added to your daily health care routine at a comparatively affordable price than other essential oils? If so then, purchase the marvelous essential oil of sweet orange from amazon.com now and relish the versatile benefits that it will offer.
We hope you found this article helpful. In the comments section below, share with us your ways of using sweet orange essential oil for health, beauty, skin care or your home. To stay updated on more such topics subscribe to our newsletter and we will share a dose of leading a healthy lifestyle with you occasionally.
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