Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is a sunny and vibrant oil, which can induce a state of happiness and warmth to the mind and helps people to relax and can help children to sleep at night. Orange oil can be used effectively to boost the immune system, as well as for colds and flu and to eliminate toxins from the body. It is a good diuretic oil that is effective in balancing water retention and obesity. Its lymphatic stimulant action also helps to balance water processes, detoxification, and general well-being.
Orange oil can also soothe a range of digestive issues from constipation, dyspepsia and to a useful general tonic. It’s also a good oil to use to soothe nervous tension and stress.
BENEFITS
Orange essential oil has the following healing properties:
Anti-fungal, Anti-viral, Anti-microbial, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, Antiseptic, Sedative, Anti-depressant, Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Digestive, Detoxicant and Analgesic.
Respiratory issues – Orange oil is especially useful in soothing respiratory issues such as colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis due to its anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Nervous tension and Stress – Orange oil can help to create feelings of happiness and relieves stress and nervous tension due to its, sedative and anti-depressant properties.
Insomnia – Orange oil is a sedative oil that can help to ease both adults and children into a relaxed , stress free state that can lead to a peaceful night’s sleep.
Eliminates toxins and boosts the lymphatic system – Orange oil is a powerful detoxicant with anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and expectorant properties that helps to remove toxins from the body.
Skin care - It can be used in a cream to detoxify congested skin and is a good general skin tonic. Orange oil is particularly good for more mature skin and for soothing dermatitis, as well as acne and soothing a dry irritated skin.
Immune system – Orange oil with its anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties can help to boost the immune system.
BLENDS
Whilst most essential oils can be used together some oils can overpower other oils. Orange goes particularly well with oils such as:
Black pepper
Cinnamon
Cloves bud
Ginger
Frankincense
Sandalwood
Vetiver
Grapefruit
Rose
Lime
Tangerine
Ylang Ylang
WAYS TO USE
DIFFUSE
Orange essential oil can be used in diffusers or oil burners. Using Orange essential oil in this way is particularly beneficial in relieving symptoms associated with respiratory infections such as colds and flu. Orange is an uplifting oil that can create an uplifting atmosphere, it can help to relieve nervous tension and reduce feelings of stress creating a feeling of happiness and general well-being. Can be used to help drift off to sleep.
Diffuse 1 - 3 drops of Orange essential oil in an oil burner or diffuser.
BATH
Orange essential oil can be added to a warm bath to help relieve feelings of stress and nervous tension and help to relax the mind before bed.
Add 1 - 3 drops of Orange essential oil to a warm bath.
Note: Care should be taken not to use more than 3 drops to prevent the bath from becoming too slippery. Essential oils should be added to a carrier oil before adding as oil and water do not mix and essential oils will float on the surface of the water and if used neat can burn the skin.
INHALATION
Inhaling Orange essential oil is effective in helping to relieve symptoms associated respiratory tract infections. Steam inhalation helps to clear congestion in your head, nose and chest.
Simply add 1 - 3 drops of Orange essential oil to a bowl of hot water, place a towel or blanket over your head and shoulders to enclose your head over the bowl and inhale for 5 – 10 minutes.
Note: Steam inhalation may be too strong for children, instead place the bowl in the room or close by and allow the steam to infuse in the air.
MASSAGE
Massage is a great way of relaxing the body and mind and easing aching muscles . Orange essential oil can help to eliminate toxins from the body, used in massage it can help to boost the lymphatic system. It can help to relax the mind and relieve tension and stress stored in the body.
Adults - up to 7 drops in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
Children over 2 years old - up to 3 drops in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
CREAM
Adding a few drops of Orange to a base cream is a great way of harnessing its diuretic properties to help to boost the lymphatic system, helping to detoxify the skin and assist in the elimination of toxins. It is a good essential oil for maturing skin as it supports collagen formation in the skin, which is required for a healthy, young-looking skin. It is also good for relieving dermatitis and dry and flaky skin.
Add up to 12 drops of essential oil to 30 ml of base cream.
SIDE EFFECTS
As with all essential oils it should not be used neat on the skin, essential oils are very concentrated oils that can irritate the skin unless mixed with a carrier oil. Essential oils should not be used internally unless under the supervision of an aromatherapist.
As with all citrus oils you should avoid exposure to the sun or using a sunbed for about 12 hours after using Orange as it can cause skin pigmentation problems.
Pets can be particularly sensitive to the effects of essential oils and can even be toxic so where possible should either be avoided or used where a pet is able to go into another room for example Orange is one such oil.