Exploring The Benefits Of Orange Aromatherapy Oil

Aromatherapy is a popular way to improve your overall health and well-being, and orange essential oil is one of the most commonly used oils for this purpose. With its refreshing, sweet scent, wild orange oil is often used to purify the air and create an uplifting environment. But what exactly does orange aromatherapy oil do?

Orange oil can be used to treat skin conditions like acne

Orange oil is an essential oil with a high concentration of volatile compounds. It has a pleasant, citrusy aroma and a variety of uses. It is extracted from the orange peel by methods such as steam distillation, cold compression, and solvent extraction.

Treating Skin Conditions Like Acne

The astringent properties of orange oil help to shrink pores and restore skin suppleness and elasticity, which can also help prevent acne. The anti-inflammatory nature of the oil helps to reduce redness and swelling, which are common symptoms of acne.

Other Skin Benefits

Orange oil can also be used to reduce dark spots, improve blood circulation to the skin, and reduce large pores. It can be added to a moisturizer, serum, or lotion, or applied topically to the skin after dilution with a carrier oil. It can also be used in a DIY face mask, bath, body wash, or lip balm.

It can be used as a natural household cleaner

Orange essential oil is a versatile product with a wide range of domestic, industrial, and medicinal uses. One of its most common applications is as a natural household cleaner. Here are some ways in which orange essential oil can be used for natural cleaning:

All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

Orange essential oil can be used to make an effective and versatile natural spray cleaner for your home. To make this cleaner, simply mix one litre of water with three tablespoons of baking soda and 15 drops of orange oil in a large spray bottle. Shake the bottle well to mix the contents, and you're ready to clean! This natural cleaner can be used on kitchen benchtops, fridges, and even pantry shelves, leaving a pleasant citrus scent in its wake.

Kitchen Degreaser

Orange oil is an excellent degreaser, making it perfect for removing grease from kitchen surfaces such as benchtops, range hoods, and tiles. To use it as a degreaser, apply a few drops of the oil directly to the greasy surface and wipe it down with a damp sponge or cloth. For tougher grease stains, sprinkle some baking soda on the grease, add a couple of drops of orange oil, and scrub with a brush.

Natural Surface Cleaner

For a natural and effective countertop and surface cleaner, you can create a blend using orange oil and tea tree oil, which has additional germ-fighting properties. Use six drops of orange oil instead of three drops of grapefruit oil for a powerful natural cleaner. This blend can cut through even the thickest, greasiest build-ups in your kitchen.

Shower/Tub/Tile Cleaner

Orange essential oil is also useful in the bathroom, where it can help eliminate soap scum and battle the build-up of mould and mildew. Create a natural cleaner by blending vinegar and soap with some germ-fighting essential oils, including 15 drops of orange oil. This blend will leave your shower, tub, and tiles clean and fresh-smelling.

Fabric Refresher

Orange essential oil can also be used to refresh fabrics and eliminate stale or musty odours. Create a natural fabric refresher by mixing baking soda, water, and a few drops of sweet orange oil. This blend will quickly eliminate any unpleasant smells from your couches, dining chairs, or other upholstered furniture.

Wood Floor and Furniture Polish

Orange oil is an excellent natural polish for wood floors and furniture. It not only adds shine but also leaves a pleasant orange scent. To use it as a polish, mix about 10 drops of orange oil with a cup of linseed or olive oil. Dip a polishing rag into the mixture and wipe it over the furniture or floors. Then, use a soft cloth to buff the surfaces to a beautiful shine.

It can be used to flavour food and drink

Orange essential oil is a versatile ingredient that can be used to flavour a variety of food and drink items. It can be added to beverages, such as tea or smoothies, to give them a zesty kick. It can also be used in baking, adding a unique twist to recipes for muffins, French toast, and other sweet treats. For a refreshing morning pick-me-up, add a few drops of wild orange essential oil to your breakfast.

In addition to its culinary uses, orange essential oil has a range of domestic, industrial, and medicinal applications. Domestically, it can be used to add a burst of flavour to beverages and desserts. Industrially, it is often used in cosmetic and skincare products, such as soaps, lotions, and creams, as well as in room fresheners, deodorants, and even cleaning products.

The oil is derived from the peels of sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) through a process called cold pressing, which extracts the oil without the use of heat to protect its antioxidants and active ingredients. With its refreshing and uplifting scent, orange essential oil is also commonly used in aromatherapy to enhance mood and reduce anxiety.

It can help reduce anxiety and depression

Aromatherapy with orange essential oil can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. A 2015 study found that women in labour who inhaled orange essential oil reported less anxiety than those in the control group who inhaled distilled water. Similarly, a 2013 study found that children undergoing a dental procedure had reduced pulse rates and stress hormone levels when exposed to orange essential oil aromatherapy.

Orange essential oil is believed to have a sedative effect, helping to alleviate anxiety, anger, and bodily inflammations. A study published in the Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry journal supports the anxiolytic-like effect of this oil.

In addition to its anxiolytic properties, orange essential oil may also boost serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and other essential bodily functions.

It's important to note that while orange essential oil may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, it is not a cure. Essential oils are meant to complement, not replace, conventional treatments for these conditions. Always consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications.

It can be used to treat muscle pain

Orange aromatherapy oil can be used to treat muscle pain. The oil's active ingredients have healing abilities that can help to turn off inflammatory responses that increase swelling in tissue, making it a natural remedy for bone and joint pain.

A 2017 clinical trial found that aromatherapy with orange oil can relieve pain in patients with fractured limbs. In the trial, four drops of orange oil were put on a pad and pinned to each patient's collar. The old pad was replaced with a new one every hour, and the patients' pain and vital signs were checked every hour for at least six hours. The researchers concluded that aromatherapy with orange oil can be used as a complementary medicine to relieve pain in patients with fractured limbs.

Another study in 2008 found that a blend of ginger and orange essential oil could help with knee pain when applied to the skin. Compared to a control group, people using the essential oil blend reported greater short-term pain relief, but the oil didn't seem to help with long-term pain.

Orange oil can also be used as a muscle relaxant, which reduces the incidents of painful and reflexive muscle contractions or spasms. It can be applied to a cut, bite, or wound to prevent bacterial growth and infection.

To use orange oil for muscle pain, it should be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil and then applied to the affected area. It can also be added to a warm bath or used as a compress.

Frequently asked questions