Information on Mandarin Essential Oil
Mandarin essential oil is extracted from Citrus reticulata (also known as Citrus nobilis, C. madurensis, C. unshiu and C. deliciosa) of the Rutaceae family and is also known as European mandarin, tangerine, naartjie and true mandarin.
Mandarin Essential Oil is soothing to the nervous system and has a tonic effect on the digestive system, while helping flatulence, diarrhea and constipation. It is also useful for the skin and is used to help with stretch marks, increasing circulation and reducing fluid retention.
Oil Properties
Mandarin Essential Oil is sweet and tangy and yellowy orange color.
Origin
It is a native of China, but was taken to Europe in 1805 and a little later to America, who now is a large producer of this oil.
Mandarins are usually eaten plain or in fruit salads.
Specifically reddish-orange mandarin cultivars can be marketed as tangerines, but this is not a botanical classification.
Mandarins are smaller and oblate, rather than spherical like the common oranges (which are a mandarin hybrid). The taste is considered less sour, as well as sweeter and stronger.
A ripe mandarin is firm to slightly soft, heavy for its size, and pebbly-skinned.
Extraction
Mandarin Essential Oil is extracted from the peel by cold expression.
Chemical composition
Some of the main chemical components of Mandarin Essential Oil are (=)-Limonene, γ-Terpinene, α-Pinene, β-Pinene, β-Myrcene
Precautions
Mandarin essential oil is generally regarded to be a safe essential oil for use on the skin, as long as it has not oxidised.
As with most essential oils, this essential oil 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).
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 mandarin oil are antiseptic, antispasmodic, cytophylactic, depurative, sedative, stomachic and tonic.
Uses
Mandarin Essential Oil is soothing to the nervous system and has a tonic effect on the digestive system, while helping flatulence, diarrhea and constipation.
It is also useful for the skin and is used to help with stretch marks, increasing circulation and reducing fluid retention.
Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, mandarin oil can help with soothing the nervous system and thereby reduce stress and tension, while also boosting the digestive system.
Blended Massage Oil or in the Bath
As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, it can assist the nervous system, reduce flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive complaints, but also increase circulation to the skin, reduce fluid retention and help prevent stretch marks.
Blended in a Cream
In a lotion or cream, it is used to help prevent stretch marks when pregnant, while increasing circulation and reducing fluid retention.
On the skin
Adult:
Face: 0.5% to 1.5%
Body: 1.5% to 3%
Bath: 1.5% 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
It is an oil that can boost the digestive system, reduce retention, increase circulation and soothes the nervous system and relieve stress and tension. Care should be taken to not use oxidised Mandarin essential oil.
Blends
Although most essential oils blend well with other oils, Mandarin Essential Oil blends particularly well with Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Frankincense, Lavender, Nutmeg and Neroli.
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