{"id":3033,"date":"2017-04-28T21:52:37","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T21:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/?p=3033"},"modified":"2018-09-19T20:51:47","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T20:51:47","slug":"18-orange-essential-oil-uses-benefits-plus-8-recipes-general-faq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentialoilsanctuary.com\/18-orange-essential-oil-uses-benefits-plus-8-recipes-general-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"18 Orange Essential Oil Uses and Benefits (Plus 8 Recipes and General FAQ)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Who doesn\u2019t love the scent of oranges? The sweet, uplifting scent just reminds you of carefree days spent frolicking in the sunshine! Orange oil is one of the most popular oils not only because the fruit is so widely known, but because of the broad range of benefits it has to offer.<\/p>\n

Here you\u2019ll get to know more about orange oil, its origins and source, and how it can be one of the best oils to have with you all the time!<\/p>\n

Origins and history of orange essential oil<\/h1>\n

Orange oil, more specifically known as sweet orange essential oil, has been widely known in many cultures since the early times. Its main source, the orange fruit, is one of the oldest cultivated fruits throughout the world.<\/p>\n

Oranges are said to have originated from China, with Chinese records as early as 2400 BC mentioning its flavor and qualities. It was also cultivated in various parts of Southeast Asia, along with other varieties grown in India. Much of its cultivation was said to be attributed to the nobility\u2019s fondness of this fruits. This made cultivators compete among each other to produce larger and sweeter oranges to cater to such requests.<\/p>\n

Arab traders were said to have brought orange fruits to Africa and the Middle East, where the fruits were made popular by being traded for other goods. During the 15th century, Portuguese travelers from China introduced oranges to various locations in Africa and Europe. The fruit\u2019s luscious flavor soon made it very well-loved, that orange groves were quickly propagated to meet public demand for it.<\/p>\n

The Italian explorer Christopher Columbus was also said to have carried orange seeds with him in his voyages, particularly in 1493 on his second expedition. Thus, oranges reached certain regions of the Americas, along with Haiti and the Carribean. In 1513, another famed Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon, introduced the orange fruit to Florida, where it thrived naturally due to the sunny, subtropical climate. By the 16th century, the orange fruit was introduced in England, where it was again welcomed with delight.<\/p>\n

Since then, oranges have been widely cultivated in various countries such as France, Portugal, North and South America, India, as well as in various Mediterranean regions. It\u2019s zesty, tangy flavor made it one of the most popular ingredients in making sweets and jams, as well as an addition to various drinks.<\/p>\n

Sweet orange rinds, which contained the oil, were soon discovered to have a more potent aroma than the inside of the fruit. The rinds were soon used to treat various medical ailments. Traditional Chinese Medicine lists it among the treatments for colds, cough, other respiratory ailments, digestive spasms, eating disorders, and for stimulating digestion.<\/p>\n

Other cultures have also used dried orange rinds as a tonic and a carminative, while the juice has been used for its hemostatic effect as well as for managing nausea and vomiting. The fresh rind has been used for treating microbial skin infections including acne.<\/p>\n

Many cultures in the Middle East, India and the Mediterranean have been said to utilize orange oil for rituals of purification. It has also been attributed with having anti-depressant and aphrodisiac properties!<\/p>\n

Today, orange oil\u2019s zesty aroma has made it a favorite for adding flavor to various food items like juices and candy. Various industries also utilize the oil as a preservative and perfuming agent for various items ranging from beauty products to household cleaners.<\/p>\n

Currently, most of the world\u2019s oranges are produced by Brazil, accounting for 1\/3 of the world\u2019s orange supply, followed by Florida in the United States. Most of the essential oil, however, is sourced from France, Israel, Italy, Cyprus, and the US.<\/p>\n

Source and composition of orange oil<\/h2>\n

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If you\u2019ve tried pressing together an orange peel, chances are you\u2019ve noticed orange-scented droplets spray out. This is because most citrus essential oils are found in the fruit peels. Thus, almost all citrus oils are obtained by mechanically cold-pressing these rinds.<\/p>\n

There are actually two types of orange oil — sweet orange oil and bitter orange oil. Sweet orange oil is sourced from the fruit peels of the species Citrus <\/i>sinensis<\/i>, <\/i>while bitter orange oil is from Citrus <\/i>aurantium<\/i>,<\/i> both from the plant family Rutaceae<\/i>. <\/i>The main difference between these two oils is that bitter orange oil has a dryer citrus scent, unlike the sweetish scent of sweet orange oil. Also, bitter orange oil has been found to cause a greater risk for phototoxicity. This article mainly talks about sweet orange oil, though many of its benefits also apply to bitter orange oil.<\/p>\n

Extraction of good-quality orange oil requires that the oranges be harvested at a specific time to optimize its yield and aroma. To come up with 20 ounces of the oil, you would usually need about 1,000 oranges! The extracted oil usually has a greenish-orange hue, and smells like a very concentrated version of sweet oranges.<\/p>\n

A tip in choosing good quality orange oil is to buy one that uses organically grown oranges. This is because the process of cold-pressing the peel also extracts pesticides and toxic substances that may have been sprayed over the fruits.<\/p>\n

Studies have found that orange essential oil is packed with powerful phytochemicals that help fight disease. The oil mainly consists of d-limonine, b-myrcene and a-pinene, along with a variety of other components like citronellal and geranial. These are mainly responsible for its aromatic and beneficial properties. D-limonene is the most abundant (around 80-96 percent), with research confirming its many health benefits.<\/p>\n

What are some benefits of orange oil?<\/h1>\n

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Just the thought of oranges can give you an uplifting feeling! Orange essential oil\u2019s warm, cheerful scent does wonders for your body, mind and spirit. Its natural bioactive compounds can tremendously help with digestive problems, as well as in treating respiratory and skin conditions. Plus, research has found that orange oil may help improve cognitive function. As if these aren\u2019t good enough reasons to have a bottle, simply inhaling a drop or two can instantly make you happier!<\/p>\n

Here are more reasons to love this essential oil!<\/p>\n

Specific benefits of orange oil<\/h1>\n

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