SWEET ORANGE

Medicinal Uses

anxiety

cramps

menstruation

insomnia

common cold

low libido

skin infections

acne

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• According to Dr Couic Marinier, “the intoxicating and agreeable ambiance of Sweet Orange Essential Oil quickly refreshes, re-energizes and uplifts the mind”.

• Research suggests that this natural oil helps to calm the heart rate and reduce levels of cortisol secretion to help keep stress and anxiety to a minimum.

• The anti-inflammatory, relaxant and circulation booster actions allow sweet orange oil to promote better digestion, ease cramps and other stomach pains.

• Sweet orange oil can have a deeply calming effect on the mind and body and is effective in treating sleep issues that are related to stress or depression.

• Sweet orange essential oil possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it has been shown to be one of the most effective Essential Oils with regards to its ability to fight pain, infection and chronic inflammation.

• With its remarkable ability to inhibit melanin production, sweet orange oil slows the rate of skin damage experienced from UV light exposure, pollution and toxicity.

• Packed full of antioxidants and vitamin C in particular, Sweet range essential oil can be used topically to protect the skin from harmful external factors, providing your epidermis with the optimal environment in which to thrive.

• Along with Lemon Oil and Sandalwood Oil, Sweet Orange Oil is a great natural remedy to fight signs of aging. With its potent antioxidant power, it defends the skin from free radicals whilst also prompting collagen production. The result? Smooth, plumped skin.

• A 2012 study looked at the effect of orange essential oil on E. coli isolates obtained from beef. These isolates can potentially cause food poisoning. Results indicated that after 24 hours, a 1 percent or lower concentration of orange essential oil inhibited the bacteria at refrigeration temperatures (Pendleton et al, 2012).

• Another study looked at the effect of orange essential oil on strains of Staphylococcus aureus(staph bacteria) that are resistant to antibiotics. They found that when added to infected human cells in culture, low concentrations of orange essential oil killed the bacteria without harming the cultured cells (Muthaiyan, 2012).

• Orange essential oil may also prevent the growth of fungi that can cause food to spoil. One studyTrusted Source found that orange oil provided some protection against four species of fungi (Yongqing et al., 2018).

• Another study recorded activity against eight fungi that affect vegetables, although essential oils like clove and garlic were more effective (Diánez et al., 2018).

• In a 2013 study, it was found that aromatherapy with orange essential oil reduced the pulse rate and stress hormone levels in children undergoing a dental procedure (Jafarzadeh et al., 2013). 

• Additionally, in a 2015 study, women in labor reported less anxiety after inhaling orange essential oil than women in the control group who inhaled distilled water (Rashidi-Fakari et al., 2015).

• A 2019 studyTrusted Source on mice looked at the inhalation of orange essential oils and its potential effect on depression. The researchers found that the mice who inhaled the orange essential oil displayed fewer depression-like behaviors (Lu-Lu Zhang et al., 2019).

• A 2017 study involving people with bone fractures looked at whether inhaling orange essential oil could help with pain. Compared to a control group, people inhaling orange oil reported less pain (Hekmatpou et al., 2017).

• In 2008, researchers assessed if 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 (Yip et al., 2008).

• Limonene, a component of orange essential oil, has been investigated as a potential cancer treatment. A study from 2012 found that orange oil rich in limonene both inhibited the growth and promoted the death of colon cancer cells in culture.

• A 2017 study found that orange essential oil inhibited the growth of lung and prostate cancer cell lines in culture. Additionally, increased cell death was seen in the lung cancer cell line. Orange essential oil was also observed to have antioxidant activity (Yang et al., 2017).

• Apoptosis in human leukemia (HL-60) cells was induced by sweet orange oil and by citral(geranial + neral), octanal and decanal, all minor constituents of the oil (Hata et al 2003). Also see bitter orange (above). (+)-Limonene displays anticarcinogenic activity (see (+)-Limonene profile).

Constituents​

• a-pinene 

• sabinene

• myrcene

• limonene

• linalool

• citronellal

• neral

• geranial

• Sweet orange oil may be adulterated with natural or synthetic limonene, or with mixtures of terpene hydrocarbons, though adulteration of this inexpensive oil is not common (Kubeczka 2002).​

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Contradictions​

• Any essential oil has the potential to cause a skin reaction when applied topically. Perform a spot test with diluted orange essential oil on the inside of your elbow before using it on larger areas.

• Avoid using old or oxidized orange essential oil, which can cause dermal sensitization. 

• Some citrus essential oils are phototoxic. This means they can cause a painful skin reaction if you use them on your skin and then go out in the sun.

• Orange essential oil has a low risk of phototoxicityTrusted Source, but you should still exercise caution if you plan on going outside after using it on your skin.

• As with other essential oils, follow these safety precautions when using orange oil: 

  • Don’t apply undiluted essential oil to your skin.

  • Keep the oil away from your eyes.

  • Store the oil out of reach of children and pets.

  • If you use the oil for aromatherapy, make sure that the space is ventilated well.

  • If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications, speak to your doctor before using orange essential oil.

  • Old or oxidized oils should be avoided.

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