Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Sweet Orange
Citrus sinensis
Latin Name: Citrus sinensis
Chemistry: d-limonene , b-myrcene
Aroma: Citrus, Sweet, Bright
Good for: Emotional health, Digestive issues,
Energetics: Brings a bright and positive outlook to situations.
Traditional use: Sweet orange is seen as a "tonic" to the body as it works on several levels both emotional and physical and can help restore and strengthen wellbeing.
Citrus sinensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, which includes other citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruits. Sweet oranges are native to Southeast Asia and are widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world for their juicy, sweet fruit. They are a popular source of vitamin C and are often consumed fresh, but they are also used to make juice, marmalade, as well as essential oils
Is sweet orange essential oil photo toxic?
A phototoxic reaction occurs when the skin is exposed to UV light (like sunshine or sun beds) while having oil that contains furanocoumarins which is the molecule that gives them the ability to absorb UV light and store it.
If that occurs on the skin, the results can appear as burns, blistering and long-term discolouration. This effect can take place up to 18 hours after the application
Sweet orange is not phototoxic; however, bitter orange, which is another variety that comes from the same tree that produces Neroli and Petitgrain, is and should not be applied to the skin where UV exposure is possible.
Sweet Orange Essential oil
Sweet orange essential oil is extracted from the peel of the orange fruit and is known for its refreshing and uplifting aroma. There is very little variance in the chemical constituents of sweet orange essential oil, regardless of where it originates from.
Some of the potential benefits of the sweet orange essential oil include:
Reducing stress and anxiety: The sweet orange essential oil's aroma may help reduce stress and anxiety and promote a feeling of calm and relaxation. (3)
Improving mood: The uplifting aroma of sweet orange essential oil may help improve mood and promote happiness and well-being. (3)
Boosting the immune system: Sweet orange essential oil is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which may help to boost the immune system and protect against illness. (2)
Reducing inflammation: Sweet orange essential oil may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. (1)
Improving skin health: Sweet orange essential oil is often used in skincare products as it may help improve the skin's appearance and reduce the appearance of blemishes and acne.
Insomnia and sleep issues can also benefit greatly from the addition of orange essential oil in a blend (4).
REFERENCE
1, 3- Purchon N., Cantele L. (2014) The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness. Toronto, Robert Rose Inc.
2- Acara Ü, Kesbiç OS, Yılmaz S, Gültepe N, Türkera A. (2015) Evaluation of the effects of essential oil extracted from sweet orange peel (Citrus sinensis) on growth rate of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and possible disease resistance against Streptococcus iniae, Aquaculture, 437:282–286.
4- BabarAli, Naser Ali Al-Wabel, Saiba Shams, Aftab Ahamad, Shah Alam Khan, Firoz Anwar (2015) Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, Volume 5, Issue 8, 601-611.
