A Guide To Orange Essential Oil and Its Benefits and Uses

"Orange is imbued with the energy of the sunlight and the radiance of the stars," writes aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in Aromatherapy For the Soul. The emotional benefits of orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis) are to encourage joy, upliftment, lightheartedness, regeneration, creativity, positivity, and self-confidence.

You will also hear this oil called sweet orange because it's made from fruit of the sweet orange tree. Other essential oils are produced from the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) tree. 

Basic Sweet Orange Facts

Plant family: Rutaceae

Production: Most orange oil is cold pressed (expressed) from orange peels. Although it's possible to steam distill the peels, you'll find few distilled orange oils for sale.

Aroma: Fresh, sweet, citrus, fruity.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Top

Is orange safe to use during pregnancy? Yes, according to IFPA Pregnancy Guidelines.

Is orange essential oil safe for children? Yes.

Cautions: Distilled orange oil may cause photosensitivity but the cold-pressed oil is generally believed not phototoxic — though some sources don't make that distinction. Oxidized orange oil may cause skin sensitization. Store the oil in a tightly closed bottle a cool, dark place (refrigeration OK) to prevent oxidation.

Main components: (+)-Limonene is the key constituent. It makes up about 83% to 96% of orange essential oil, depending on the geographic location of where the oranges are grown, according to Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition. Other components include beta-myrcene and alpha-pinene.

Sweet Orange Aromatherapy Benefits

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art: Orange may help relieve colds, flu, congested lymph, indigestion, and high blood pressure. The oil is useful for reducing acne and the oiliness of skin and hair and may help relieve anxiety, depression, hysteria, shock, and nervous tension.

Aromatherapy for Dummies: Orange may repel ants and flies and help relieve anxiety and depression.

The Heart of Aromatherapy: Use sweet orange to support the respiratory system, sooth allergies, clear mucous and congestion, calm inflammation, support digestion, ease nausea, make natural cleaning blends, and feel relaxed, restored, and uplifted.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Orange may help relieve constipation, intestinal spasms, fluid retention, cellulite, insomnia, depression, anxiety, tension, and stress-related conditions.

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Use orange for dull and oily complexion, mouth ulcers, fat loss, water retention, respiratory support, constipation, indigestion, digestive spasms, colds, flu, nervous tension, and stress-related conditions.

Aromatherapy For Healing the Spirit: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, orange unblocks and circulates stagnent Qi-energy, especially in the Liver, Stomach, and intestines. The oil one of the best for the digestive system, while also relieving tension and frustration and promoting joy and positivity.

Subtle Aromatherapy: Orange nourishes the soul, feeding it with feelings of joy.

The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing:  Orange promotes spiritual strength and self-confidence, helping you develop your spiritual gifts. Mentally, the oil helps you focus and think clearly. Emotionally, the essential oil brings joy and also creates a sense of calm and relaxation.

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Orange uplifts, brings in joy and positivity, and clears and cleanses. The oil is especially useful for the second chakra to promote joy and positivity in relationships.

Orange Essential Oil Uses and Recipes

Here are some aromatherapy diffuser blends:

• Calm and focus: 5 drops orange and 5 drops lavender essential oil
• Stress relief: 3 drops orange, 2 drops cedarwood essential oil, and 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• Energizing: 5 drops orange and 12 drops peppermint essential oil
• Pick-me-up: 6 drops orange, 4 drops peppermint essential oil, and 2 drops balsam fir essential oil
  

Positive Mind Mist

• 4 drops orange essential oil
  
• 4 drops bergamot essential oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 1/2 distilled or purified water

Add ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

Or make the essential oil blend (without the water) and use it in a diffuser.
Source: Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques

Orange Clove Room Spray

• 2 tablespoons distilled water
• 5 drops orange essential oil
  
• 2 drops clove essential oil

Add the water and essential oils to a 1-ounce (30 ml) glass spray bottle. Cap. Shake well. Spritz the blend around the room.

Shake before each use and use within a few weeks. Source: Aromahead Newsletter

Orange Belly Butter for Digestion

Use this blend after a big meal or when feeling digestive discomfort.

• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 17 drops orange
• 10 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 7 drops ginger essential oil
• 7 drops patchouli essential oil
• Two 2-ounce (60 ml) glass jars or one 4-ounce (120 ml) glass jar

1. Put the beeswax in the top of a double boiler and let melt.
2. Stir in jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and coconut oil until melted.
3. Remove the blend from heat.
4. Stir in the essential oils.
5. Pour the blend into the glass jar(s) and let set until solid.

To use: Massage a little belly butter into your abdomen and low back. Adapted from Aromahead

Cleaning Blends

Orange makes a good addition to essential oil cleaning blends.

All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

• 4 cups distilled water
• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• 16 drops orange oil

1. Add the water to a large spray bottle.
2. Add the baking soda and orange oil.
3. Place the top on the spray bottle. Shake well.

Use on non-delicate surfaces. Shake well before each use.

Clove-Orange Oven Cleaner

• 3.5 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons castile soap
• 2 teaspoons borax
• 2 drops clove essential oil
• 3 drops orange
  

1. Add ingredients to a one-quart spray bottle. Place cap on bottle. Shake well.
   
2. Spray the cleaner on the oven and let set for 20 minutes.
3. Scrub off the cleaner. For tough stains, scrub with very fine steel wool and baking soda.
   

Adapted from An Aromatic Life

Photo Credit: 123rf.com