Information on Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is extracted from Citrus sinensis (also known as Citrus aurantium var. dulcis and C. aurantium var. sinensis) of the Rutaceae family and is also known as Portugal or China orange.
Orange Essential Oil, an unpretentious essential oil, is used in aromatherapy to create the feeling of happiness and warmth, while calming nervous digestive problems.
It deals very well with colds and flu, eliminates toxins and stimulates the lymphatic system, while supporting collagen formation in the skin.
Oil Properties of orange essential oil
Sweet Orange Essential Oil has a sweet, fresh and tangy smell, is yellow to orange in color and watery in viscosity. The shelf life is approximately 6 months.
Origin
This evergreen tree has dark green leaves and white flowers and bright orange round fruit with pitted skin.
The trees are native to China, but are now cultivated extensively in America and across the world.
Orange oil is used in many Curacao type liqueurs and for the flavoring of food, drink and confectionery and when added to furniture polish, helps to protect against damage from insects.
Extraction
Orange Essential Oil is extracted from the orange peel by cold-pressing and yields 0.3 -0.5 %.
Chemical composition of orange essential oil
Depending on where your orange essential oil is sourced, the main chemical components will include (+)-Limonene, β-Myrcene and may contain α-Pinene amongst others
Precautions
orange essential oil is a safe non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing oil and is generally recommended as safe (It has GRAS status).
This essential oil will irritate the skin when it has oxidised and should be kept in a dark and cool place and should be stored in an airtight glass bottle (Preferably in the fridge at a temperature of around 4° Celsius / 39° Fahrenheit).
It would be a good idea to add an anti-oxidant to any blend using this oil (such as Vitamin E oil) – this will help prevent oxidisation.
Cats are very sensitive to essential oils (their liver’s cannot process the constituents of most essential oils). Care should be taken when using this oil or when using cleaning products containing Limonene – the cat can walk over cleaned surfaces and absorb the oil through their paws. This may cause damage to the liver and the damage can build up over time.
Please read our page with heading: Safety with Essential Oils before using this oil.
We recommend the following book as an excellent resource regarding safety:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young (#ad).
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of Orange Essential Oil are antiseptic, anti-depressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, cholagogue, sedative and tonic.
For our glossary and explanation of these therapeutic terms, please click here
Uses
Orange essential oil is a sunny and radiant oil, bringing happiness and warmth to the mind and helps people to relax and helps children to sleep at night.
Orange essential oil can be used effectively on the immune system, as well as for colds and flu and to eliminate toxins from the body.
It is a good diuretic and is most useful in balancing water retention and obesity.
Its lymphatic stimulant action further helps to balance water processes, detoxification, aiding the immune system and general well-being.
For the digestive system, orange oil can help with constipation, dyspepsia and as a general tonic.
It is also useful in cases of nervous tension and stress.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, Orange Essential Oil can help with colds and flu, nervous tension and stress and helps to create a feeling of happiness and warmth, while helping children fall asleep at night.
Blended Massage Oil or in the Bath
As a blended massage oil or added to a bath, orange essential oil assists with colds and flu, eliminates toxins, boost the lymphatic and immune system and helps ease nervous tension and stress
Blended in a Cream
When used in a cream or lotion, Orange essential oil also assists the lymphatic system, helping to detoxify a congested skin and although it is a good general skin tonic, it is great for older more mature skin, dealing with dermatitis, as well as acne and soothing a dry irritated skin.
The general tonic action seems to stem from the action it has on supporting collagen formation in the skin, which is required for a healthy, young-looking skin.
Suggested Dilution Rates for Orange essential oil
On the skin
Adult:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 3%
Bath: 0.5% to 4%
3 to 24 months:
Face: 0.25% to 0.5%
Body: 0.25% to 0.5%
Bath: Maximum of 0.5%
2 to 6 years:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 0.5% to 2 %
6 to 15 years
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 3%
Bath: 0.5% to 3%
Pregnancy
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 0.5% to 2%
Bath: 0.5% to 2%
- When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional before use.
- Most professionals and/or Aromatherapists will always err on the side of safety when giving advice regarding the use of essential oils and oleo resins during pregnancy.
- Quite a number of Aromatherapists advise that you should avoid all essential oils completely while pregnant, specifically during the first trimester. This is a very safe approach but may not be necessary at all.
Diffusers and Vaporisers
4 to 8 drops
General:
- When using for the first time – Always use the lowest dilution rate and build up slowly to the maximum. Stop using all essential oils on the skin if irritation or allergy occurs.
- Any advice or instruction received from a medical professional ALWAYS supersedes recommendations or advice found on this website. When in doubt consult your doctor / medical professional.
Summary for orange essential oil
Orange oil is known to induce happiness and warmth. Used for skin tone, digestive problems, insomnia, depression and symptoms of ‘flu. A relatively safe oil, but care should be taken that it does not oxidise as it will then easily irritate the skin.
Blends
Although most essential oils blend well with one another, Orange Essential Oil blends particularly well with Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Frankincense, Sandalwood and Vetiver.
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