10 Benefits Of Sweet Orange Essential Oil
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated oil derived from Citrus species like oranges, lemon, and grapefruit. Orange essential oil is extracted from the peel of the sweet orange, Citrussinensis. Orange oil is prepared by a method called cold pressing, which uses pressure to squeeze the oils from the rind. In some instances, the leaves and flowers are also used to prepare this concentrated oil.
The Orange essential oil has numerous health benefits. Here we are discussing the ten benefits of sweet orange essential oil.
How to Use Orange Essential Oil?
Orange essential oil, Credits: pixabay
Orange essential oils are available in amber color bottles to prevent oxidation. Always buy oil from reputed centers. Be sure it is 100% essential orange oil.
Orange essential oils are available in the form of diffusers. These diffusers can be used as a refreshing scent.
The Orange essential oil can be used as a massage oil to get relief from pain and inflammation.
Some of the types of orange essential oils include
Neroli oil (from the flowers of Citrus aurantium)
Petigrain oil (from the leaves of Citrus aurantium),
Mandarin oil (Citrus reticulata Blanco)
Bergamot oil(Citrus bergamiaRisso and Piot).
10 Benefits of Sweet Orange Essential Oil
The Orange essential oil has numerous benefits. But some of the benefits lack scientific evidence and the results need to be validated in large scale human studies.
The 10 benefits of Sweet orange essential oil are as follows:
Antimicrobial Activity
Anxiety and depression
Acts as a Cholagogue
Cancer
Weight loss
Facial Cleanser
Allergy Relief
Dental Hygiene
Digestion
Arthritis Relief
Antimicrobial Activity
Orange essential oil kills bacteria, Credits: pixabay
Low concentrations of orange essential oil can kill the growth of certain species of bacteria and fungi that cause food poisoning.
Anxiety and Depression
The Orange essential oil can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. A research study identified that aromatherapy with orange essential oil reduced the pulse rate and stress hormone levels in children undergoing a dental procedure. In studies from animal models, the orange essential oil was found to reduce the symptoms of depression.
Women, after inhalation of orange oil, tend to exhibit less anxiety during their labor than women who inhaled distilled water.
Acts as a Cholagogue
Orange essential oil promotes secretions from exocrine and endocrine glands. It is used to regulate menstruation and lactation, and the secretion of digestive juices, bile, hormones, and enzymes.
Cancer
Orange essential oil kills cancer cells, Credits: pixabay
The Orange essential oil contains limonene which inhibited the growth and induced death of colon cancer cells in culture. Also, other studies identified that orange essential oil could inhibit the growth of lung cancer and prostate cell lines in culture. As these studies are in-vitro, further investigations are needed for confirmation.
Weight Loss
Orange essential oil for weight loss, Credits: pexels
In studies from animal models, rats that were fed with capsules of orange essential oil showed a reduction in weight, and also a decrease in the levels of cholesterol was observed. Further research is needed whether the same kinds of results are possible in humans.
Facial Cleanser
Orange essential oil help reduce acne and it has antiseptic properties that help kill acne-inducing bacteria. You can add 2 to 3 drops of oil to a cup of water and apply it as a facial cleanser. Also, it can be used directly on the acne spots by applying one drop of oil on a cotton swab.
Allergy Relief
Orange essential oil for allergy, Credits: pixabay
Orange essential oils help relieve the swelling caused due to air allergens. It works as an anti-inflammatory and helps improve the blood flow to the affected area.
Orange essential oils for allergy relief can be used in the form of inhalers or you can keep a cotton ball that has several drops of oil in it.
Dental Hygiene
As orange essential oils have antimicrobial properties, they can be used to treat dental problems like gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and bad breath.
You can use it by adding ½ teaspoon of salt and 5 drops of orange oil to a cup of warm water. Then, swish the mixture around in your mouth for at least 1 minute and gargle it for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Digestion
Orange essential oil helps your body to make more digestive enzymes and aids in treating digestive issues like constipation, colic, and flatulence. You can either add 5 – 6 drops to a diffuser after eating or add 3 – 4 drops to a carrier oil and massage over your abdominal area.
Arthritis Relief
Orange essential oil for arthritis, Credits: pexels
As orange essential oil holds anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used to treat arthritis. Take melted coconut oil, and then add 10 drops of orange oil to it. Apply the oil directly to the affected joints, with gentle rubbing until the oil has been absorbed.
Safety Measures
The Orange essential oil should be diluted with a carrier oil before applying on the skin to avoid skin irritation.
Also, do not inhale the oil directly from the bottle, as it can cause nasal and throat irritation.
Orange essential oils are not intended for internal use.
Pregnant women and children can use only after a doctor’s consultation.
Take-Home Message
Orange essential oil possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity. Some of the benefits need to be validated in large cohort studies.
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