Essential Orange Oil: Advantages, Applications, Potential Hazards
Harness the power of zest with these top 10 orange essential oil perks for your health and wellness! From refreshing your skin to calming your mind, this essential oil is a jack-of-all-trades you'll want in your daily routine. Here's the scoop:
Ten Mind-Blowing Orange Essential Oil Benefits
1. Skin Savior
Orange essential oil can help you achieve a glow-up. Its antimicrobial properties may reduce your risk of acne when applied topically. Some folks also claim it can unclog pores and reduce inflammation, but we're still waiting on more research to prove this.
2. Robust Hair Treatment
Orange essential oil can give your tresses a citrus boost! Rich in natural antioxidants, it may protect and promote hair health. Some say it even fends off lice and assists in getting rid of dandruff, but studies are scarce on these claims.
3. Relaxation Station
Swear by aromatherapy for stress relief? You're in luck! Orange essential oil can help squash stress and cheer you up. Plus, research suggests certain scents can aid in sleep quality improvement. However, studies focusing on orange essential oil specifically are still in the works.
4. Antibacterial & Antifungal Warrior
Orange essential oil has some strong points: antibacterial and antifungal powers. Studies show it can prevent the growth of bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A 2016 study also found it could help preserve food, cosmetics, and medications.1
5. Anxiety Busters
Imagine feeling less stressed and more relaxed. A 2018 review of clinical studies found that inhalation or ingestion of certain orange essential oil types reduced anxiety.2 Additionally, a study on mice found that the limonene compound, present in citrus peel oil, possessed antidepressant properties.3 We're still waiting for more human studies to validate these claims.
6. Pain Relief Simplified
A 2014 study showed that aromatherapy with orange essential oil could ease labor pain. Again, we'll need more research to confirm these results.
7. Anticancer Crusader
Research suggeests orange essential oil contains antioxidants that can combat free radicals in the body. This could potentially slow or destroy certain cancer cells. However, extensive studies are needed to verify this claim.
8. Athelete's Best Friend
Studies show that aromatherapy with orange essential oil can boost positivity and improve athletic performance by reducing fatigue and improving post-workout recovery.
9. Weight Loss Unlocker
Recent animal studies suggest that orange essential oil microcapsules could lead to significant weight loss in rats fed a high-fat diet. Specifically, these studies indicated that orange oil protected the gut lining, reduced gut toxins, and inflammation, which led to weight loss. But before you run to the essential oil store, it's crucial to note that research on humans is scarce and DO NOT ingest orange essential oil.
10. Jack-in-the-Box for Pests
Studies demonstrate the ability of orange essential oil to repel ants, mosquitoes, and bed bugs. Keep pests at bay by dabbing some on your body or using it in a candle diffuser.
Orange Essential Oil Basics
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts and orange essential oil is commonly extracted through cold-pressing the oil from the fruit rinds. There are several types, including blood orange, sweet orange, and wild orange, each with its unique advantages. Orange essential oil can be integrated into your aromatherapy regimen or topically diluted with a carrier oil or cream for safe use.
Types of Orange Essential Oil
Blood Orange Essential Oil
This type of orange essential oil might offer cancer-fighting and prevention properties. Additionally, it's thought to be a mood elevator and helpful for metabolic and skin health benefits, thanks to the anthocyanins present—the pigment that gives blood oranges their signature red hue.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
While bright and energizing, sweet orange essential oil has a milder scent compared to other orange essential oils. When inhaled, it can have an invigorating and soothing effect. It's also touted for supporting the immune system, but more studies are needed to support these claims.
Wild Orange Essential Oil
Inhaling diffused wild orange essential oil can help relieve stress. Research is underway to investigate its ability to reduce dementia. However, we'll need more proof to validate these perks. To learn more about the benefits of these and other types of orange essential oil, consult the citations provided.
Using Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is incredibly versatile. Here are some ways to reap its benefits:
Diffusers
Diffusers allow you to breathe in the benefits of essential oils. Some diffusers heat oil, while others use water and ultrasonic vibration to produce an infused mist. You can also try old-fashioned reed diffusers or terracotta.
Topical Use
To safely apply topical essential oil, dilute a few drops with a carrier oil like olive, coconut, or almond oil. Avoid sensitive areas and apply only to healthy skin.
Side Effects and Risks
Generally speaking, using orange essential oil for aromatherapy or topical treatment issafe. However, orange essential oils are classified by the FDA as generally recognized as safe (GRAS); it's essential to exercise caution and read labels carefully to ensure your products are pure.
Potential risks to watch for include skin irritation and increased skin sensitivity to sunlight. Essential oils should never be ingested, as it can cause digestive issues, cramps, and severe poisoning. Remember to follow safety guidelines like avoiding sensitive areas, diluting essential oils, and storing them appropriately to enjoy their benefits safely.
For those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a respiratory condition, or are prone to migraines, it's best to consult a healthcare professional before using orange essential oil. And in all cases, it's advisable to conduct a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
Cliffs Notes
Orange essential oils provide a variety of potential benefits and applications. Get started with types like sweet orange, wild orange, and blood orange, all of which can be used as aromatherapy or topically when diluted. Ensure you use high-quality products free of additives that may irritate your skin or respiratory system. By following best practices, you can reap the rewards of this versatile essential oil.
References
[1] Willets, J. A. (2016). Citrus essential oils in vapor suppression of microbial growth on prepared meat products. Journal of essential oil bearing plants, 19(3), 559–568.
[2] German-Morales, C., Olea, R., Jiménez‐Bermúdez, A. C., Muños‐Pinto, A., y Muñoz-Moyano, A. (2018). Effects of Citrus aurantium essential oil (Tangerine) on physiological parameters and behavior in the non selectively bred Swiss Olympia mouse. Fitoterapia, 144, 125-136.
[3] Maccarini, M. C. S., Garcia, A. O., de Moura, E. S., Assumpção, J. R. S., Rodrigues, G. L. D., & de Paula, M. A. (2013). Chemical composition of essential oils from bergamot (Citrus bergamia (Risso) Sievb. et Zwack) and weed bergamot (Monarda fistulosa (L.)) leaves grown in central Brazil. Fitoterapia, 84(4), 515-522.
[4] Crabtree, R. L. (2019). Essential oils for health and wellness. American family physician, 100(5), 283-288.
[5] Hammad, O., Rodríguez‐Balbina, F., & Ortega‐Toro, T. (2019). Essential oils: an overview of volatility, chemical composition, and potential utilization in the food industry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(8), 1517.
[6] Rodriguez-Nogales, J., Rodriguez-Nogales, G. G., Rodriguez-Mir, C., Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Y., Rodriguez-Arsenal, G., & Rodriguez-Mayorga, L. (2017). Biological activities of citrus oils and their constituents: A review. Nanoparticle-assisted drug delivery systems, 5, 1-12.
- The citrus-rich antioxidants in wild orange essential oil may support skin health by potentially reducing inflammation and unclogging pores, making it beneficial for incorporation into a daily skincare routine.
- In addition to providing a refreshing aroma, sweet orange essential oil microcapsules could potentially aid in weight management by reducing gut toxins and inflammation, as discovered in certain animal studies.
- By adding citrus essential oils like orange to a microcapsule-based solution, you can create a potent blend of antioxidants that might offer powerful anticancer benefits, though additional research is necessary to confirm these findings.
