Sweet orange is renowned for uplifting the emotions, calming nervous digestion, and encourages the elimination of toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system.
It is used in aromatherapy to promote happiness and warmth and to relieve tiredness and listlessness.
On topical application, sweet orange aids in the absorption of Vitamin C, which is linked to collagen formation and the support of the skin’s natural integrity.
Aroma
Sweet orange essential oil has a sweet, zesty and refreshing aroma.
The plant
The orange tree is native to China and India and is now also found throughout the Mediterranean region, Israel and the USA.
The extraction
Sweet orange essential oil is a fruity, tangy oil, extracted from the peel of orange fruits by mechanical cold pressing, to maintain the integrity of the active ingredients and for maximum yield.
History
The orange tree was introduced into Europe in the 16 or 17th Century, possibly by the Crusaders.
Historical uses of the orange which are of course maintained today include the food industry, including the making of delicious marmalades, in perfumery and for making Curacao, the popular West Indian liqueur.
Interesting fact
Whilst sweet orange is the oil extracted from the peel, the orange flowers give us neroli and the orange leaves give us petitgrain.
Chemical constituents
Nerol (Alcohol), Citral (Aldehyde), Limonene (Terpene), Methyl anthranilate (Ester).
Blending
Sweet orange essential oil blends well with black pepper, frankincense, geranium, clary sage, coriander, lavender, may chang, rose otto.