WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Sometimes referred to as ethereal or volatile oils, essential oils are basically aromatic compounds found in plants or trees and carry the actual essence or fragrance from which they are extracted. It is being looked upon as the next frontier since the age of antibiotics is already towards its end. They are said to have multiple health benefits as antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral, without the side effects of bacterial resistance developing.
Orange Oil, most commonly referred to as Sweet Orange Essential Oil, is derived from the fruits of the Citrussinensis botanical. The exact origin of Citrus sinensis is unknown, as it does not grow wild anywhere in the world; however, botanists believe that it is a natural hybrid of the Pummelo (C. maxima) and the Mandarin (C. reticulata) botanicals and that it originated between the South-West of China and the Himalayas.
✔️ The folk remedies of the Mediterranean region as well as the regions of the Middle East, India, and China used Orange Oil to relieve colds, coughs, chronic fatigue, depression, flu, indigestion, low libido, odors, poor circulation, skin infections, and spasms.
✔️ In China, Oranges are believed to symbolize good fortune and thus they continue to be a significant feature of traditional medicinal practices.
✔️ It is not only the benefits of the pulp and the oils that are valuable; the dried fruit rinds of both the Bitter and Sweet varieties of Orange have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to soothe ailments as well as to address anorexia.
Direction for Use
Diffusion: Use four to five drops in the diffuser of choice.
Topical: Apply one to three drops to palm, then apply to the desired area.
Aromatic Benefits of Orange Essential Oil
✔️ Cheerful and uplifting yet simultaneously relaxing, calming effect, as it helps reduce pulse rate.
✔️ Effectively diminishes unpleasant scents such as cooking smells and pet odors while also boosting motivation and clarity.
✔️ Stimulate the strength and resilience of the immune system and eliminate airborne bacteria and pathogens.
✔️ Its sedative properties make it a natural aphrodisiac, which is ideal for relieving the symptoms of low libido in both men and women if used recurrently and systematically.
Enhance cognitive function, thus making it easier to recall memories, especially for Alzheimer’s disease patients.
Topical Benefits of Orange Essential Oil
✔️ Can reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, and enhance circulation.
✔️ Combining it with a carrier oil and massaging it into the abdominal area is reputed to facilitate and improve digestion, which eases or prevents cramps and constipation.
✔️ Orange Oil is known to have diuretic properties, thus massaging it into the belly also promotes the release of toxins, especially from the digestive tract, while stimulating the bladder and lymphatic system.
Safety Precautions
While some essential oils are suitable for ingestion, others are safe only for topical application or for use in aromatherapy. Keep all essential oils out of reach of children and pets, and never apply concentrated essential oils to mucous membranes or sensitive areas. Also, if you are allergic to a certain food, do not use any essential oils or carrier oils that come from the same plant as the allergen.
✔️ Keep out of reach of children and pets;
✔️ Do not apply concentrated essential oils to mucous membranes or sensitive areas;
✔️ If allergic to a certain food, do not use any essential oils or carrier oils that come from the same plant as the allergen; and
✔️ If essential oil gets into the eyes, flush with vegetable oil or cold milk to dilute the oil, ensuring you remove contact lenses first if applicable.
✔️ If stinging persists for more than a few minutes, seek medical attention.
Conduct a Patch Test:
Never assume that essential oil has the same properties as the plant it came from. To do this, apply a little diluted essential oil to your inner arm. Watch carefully for redness or irritation that develops either immediately or within as long as twenty-four hours; if it occurs, do not use the essential oil.