Enjoy the Healing Properties of Orange Essential Oil

Thursday, July 08, 2010 by: Katherine East
Tags: orange, essential oils, health news

(NewsTarget) A favourite oil used in Aromatherapy is Orange essential oil. It has a fresh, sweet, citrus smell and is a valuable treatment oil for many ailments. The oil is extracted from the fruit of the Orange plant (Citrus sinensis) by cold-press method and it is best to only use organic, cold-pressed oils to avoid chemical toxicity.

Sweet and Bitter Orange essential oils offer a magnitude of health benefits and therapeutic properties. Some of these include:

• Anti-depressant
  Well-known for its uplifting properties, orange essential oil is soothing to the mind and helps to relieve stress. It is refreshing and relaxing and commonly used for the treatment of anxiety.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory
  It provides relief from both internal and external inflammation caused by infections. It is helpful in treating swollen tissue by stimulating blood circulation.
  
  
• Anti-septic
  It inhibits microbial growth and can help ease a sore throat if used in a gargle. It also helps to heal mouth ulcers when used in a mouth wash.
  
  
• Improves Digestion
  It is known to promote digestion, ease constipation and increase the absorption of vitamin C. Use as a massage oil in the abdominal area.
  
  
• Anti-Cancer
  D-limonene is a super-nutrient that occurs in Orange Essential Oil. It has been studied extensively for its ability to prevent cellular mutations and combat cancer tumor growth.
  
  
• Encourages Detoxification
  Sweet Orange essential oil encourages detoxification by acting as a diuretic. It also stimulates the lymphatic system, the bladder and kidneys. Increased urination assists in the elimination of toxins like uric acid, bile and excess salts and helps relieve fluid retention. Detox and cleansing properties help breakdown and eliminate cellulite.
  
  
• Skin Treatment
  Orange essential oil is shown to promote the production of collagen as well as increase the blood flow to the skin. It is helpful at soothing dry, irritated skin as well as acne-prone skin. It is excellent for rubbing on calluses on the feet.
  

How To Use Orange Essential Oil

Essential oils are absorbed into the body via the nose and the pores of skin and hair follicles. From there they enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. The beauty of aromatherapy is that you benefit from the inhalation and topical application of the essential oils.

• Use as a massage oil on affected areas of the body.
  
• Add a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath.
  
• Add a few drops of essential oil to a body wash.
  
• Use as a room freshener: put a few drops of oil with water in a spritz bottle.
  
• To relive a sore throat: Add a drop of bitter orange essential oil to warm salt water and gargle.
  

Other Orange Essential Oil Uses

Orange Essential Oil also has a number of industrial and household uses.
It is used to add orange flavour to various food products such as beverages, desserts, biscuits, chocolates, sweets and bakery items. Industrially, it is used in soaps, body lotions, face creams, room sprays/air fresheners and deodorants.

The D-limonene in Sweet Orange essential oil is an extremely effective insect repellent. Wipe or spray it wherever pests come into your house: cracks, around windows and doors. It can also be safely used in your pantry to repel moths, worms and ants instead of using poisonous substances.

Warnings and Precautions :

Orange Essential Oil shows photo-toxicity, do not apply before going out in the sun.
If ingested in excess quantity, it can result in vomiting and nausea. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use essential oils only under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

References

1.www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essenti...

2. Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 57-67.

3. www.anandaapothecary.com/aromatherapy-essent...

4. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT010469...

5. http://www.encognitive.com/node/2579

About the author

Katherine Oosthuis is completing a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy. She researches and writes for a health and nutrition website Detox For Life . Her passion is to make research available to those who are looking to improve their well-being and revolutionise their health through better nutrition and alternative medicines.