Orange

Orange oil has been a popular remedy in folk medicine throughout the Mediterranean, India and China for thousands of years.

The health benefits of orange essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, tonic, sedative, and a cholagogic substance.

The orange is the golden apple spoken of in Greek Mythology. Juno gave the 'golden apple' to Jupiter on the day of their celestial wedding.

Orange oil is a natural remedy for high blood pressure and capable of improving blood flow and fighting hypertension. A study published 2014 found that the people who inhaled the orange oil experienced significant reductions in their both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Orange Oil is a natural sedative know to reduce anxiety, anger, depression, and certain bodily inflammations.

Orange essential oil, used topically or in aromatherapy, has been known to provide quick and effective relief from inflammation. Rub orange oil mixed with a carrier oil onto sore muscles or swollen areas to bring down inflammation. Orange, lemon, pine and eucalyptus oils have shown the greatest reduction in inflammation.

Orange essential oil promotes secretions from from exocrine and endocrine glands, regulating the secretion of enzymes, hormones, digestive juices and bile.

Orange and lemongrass essential oils have antioxidant and antibacterial properties and have been observed to scavenge free radicals and chelate metals with their phenolic, flavonoid, and antimicrobial contents. - Worldhealth.net Along with orange and lemongrass essential oils there are others that possess antibacterial activity such as tea tree oil, oregano oil, and bergamot essential oils.

Orange oil used in aromatherapy creates a relaxed feeling and works as a mood lifter. Natural essential oil of orange has been known to reduce pulse rate and salivary cortisol that is secreted when one is in a state of anxiety.

Orange essential oil promotes urination, which eliminates toxins like uric acid, bile, excess salts, pollutants, and excess water in the urine. Urination increases appetite, promotes digestion and contributes towards decreasing fat, which is a positive for heart health.

Aromatherapy with orange oil can relieve pain by reducing inflammation making it a natural remedy for bone and joint pain. Because of its blood-dialing abilities, it might also be useful for reducing pain from headaches and decreasing PMS-related symptoms.

Aromatherapists and natural health practitioners have used orange oil as a mild tranquilizer and natural antidepressant for centuries. Orange oil has been known to promote a more positive mood. Orange essential oil has a direct effect on the olfactory system of the brain that quickly evokes emotional responses.

Being a carminative means being an agent that helps in the removal of excess gas from the intestines. Orange oil relaxes the abdominal and anal muscles, thereby letting the gas escape. Furthermore, it does not let additional gas form.

A study suggests that aromatherapy using orange essential oil may aid in improving cognitive function, including some Alzheimer’s patients.

Limonene, which is a monocyclic monoterpene that’s present in orange peel oil, is a powerful defender against oxidative stress that can negatively affect our immune systems.

Citrus fruits are known to provide high levels of vitamin C that help protect and heal skin, making oranges one of the best vitamin C foods around. Orange oil, like other citrus oils, comes from the peel of the fruit and research shows that orange peel contains even higher levels of vitamin C than the fruit itself! So this means that orange essential oil is also very beneficial for fighting signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots since its high vitamin C content means it can help to promote the production of collagen.

Because orange oil has the ability to fight bacterial growth, it can help to protect teeth and gums from infections.

Try diffusing orange essential oil before bed for a better’s night’s rest.

Orange oil has cancer-fighting abilities, since monoterpenes, present in orange peel oil, have been shown to be very effective chemo-preventive agents against tumor growth. D-limonene, which comprises over 90 percent of orange peel oil, is a monoterpene that has strong chemo-preventive activity as it’s been shown to reduce tumor growth in many animal studies. Research suggests that monoterpenes block mammary, skin, liver, lung, pancreas and stomach cancers. According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, orange oil can effectively help stop the proliferation of human lung and colon cancer cells. This is due to orange oil’s hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones (a group of flavonoid compounds mainly found in citrus plants) that are associated with modulating key signaling proteins related to cell proliferation and apoptosis.

In another study conducted by the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, orange oil showed the ability to suppress tumor growth because it enhances the liver’s detoxification functions, nerve signaling and cellular rejuvenation.

Orange oil has been shown to effectively fight bacteria that causes breakouts. Since we’re now seeing antimicrobial resistant bacterial strains that cause breakouts, it’s so important to find healthier, natural solutions like orange oil to use as a home remedy for acne.

Citrus oils can increase the effects of UV light exposure on the skin. It’s a good idea to avoid direct sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying the oil to your skin so you don’t experience a burn.

Orange oil can be inhaled or applied topically with a carrier oil. 10-1