9 Benefits of Wild Orange Essential Oil

Cold-pressed from the peel, wild orange essential oil is one of the most versatile oils due to its antibacterial, antidepressant, antispasmodic, and digestive properties. In addition to its wellness benefits, orange oil’s sweet, citrusy, and fresh scent makes it a perfect natural ingredient for products like all-purpose spray, laundry detergent, shampoo, and non-toxic candles. 

To reap the benefits of orange essential oil you can use it aromatically, topically, and internally. Historically, oranges, particularly bitter oranges, have been used for bleeding, jaundice, heartburn, relaxed throat, and scurvy (1). 

9 Benefits of Wild Orange Essential Oil

Mood Booster 

Orange oil is calming to the mind and body and has been proven to have uplifting and tranquilizing effects. For centuries, aromatherapists have used orange essential oil as a natural antidepressant and mild tranquilizer. Because of its anxiolytic properties, five minutes of deep breathing of orange essential oil can help boost mood, enhance motivation, clarity, and relaxation. 

In 2014, the Journal of Complementary Therapies of Medicine found that olfactory stimulation of orange oil can produce psychological and physiological relaxation. The study looked at the effects of orange and rose essential oils on the prefrontal cortex activity in 20 female participants’ brains to show their stimulation or relaxation levels. 

Half of the women exposed to orange and rose diffusion for 90 seconds experienced a significant decrease in oxyhemoglobin concentration than the control group, leading to more relaxed and comfortable feelings. 

Another study found that orange oil could act as a “simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and effective intervention to reduce anxiety during labor.” 

To harness the mood-boosting and anxiety-reducing powers of orange essential oil, try diffusing five drops, inhaling directly from the bottle, or adding a couple of drops to your shower floor. For extra mood benefits, orange blends well with cinnamon, frankincense, geranium, and lavender. 

All-Natural Cleaner and Ant Repellent 

Orange’s fresh, citrus scent will give your home a clean smell and feel. When diluted into a DIY cleaning spray, orange can help clean countertops, appliances, and cutting boards. 

Orange essential oil is also a great oil to fight ant invasions the natural way. 

Skin Health 

It’s not news that vitamin C can do amazing things for your skin, and that’s why orange oil is a skin savior. Believe it or not, there is more vitamin c in the orange peel than in the fruit itself! And because orange oil is extracted from the peel, our skin can get a whole lot of love when using the oil. 

To promote collagen production, reduce aging, wrinkles, and dark spots, use orange oil topically. Combine 1-2 drops of orange essential oil with your all-natural moisturizer and apply to the face in the morning. 

Fight Acne 

Sometimes acne can be caused by an antimicrobial-resistant bacteria strain. Orange essential oil has been shown to effectively fight bacteria that causes breakouts, but remember, a little goes a long way. 

Mix one drop with a tinny bit of cleanser and apply to the area of concern. 

Natural Dental Care 

Because of orange oil’s antibacterial properties, it can be used to protect bacterial growth in the mouth. 

To protect teeth and gums from infections, incorporate orange essential into your at-home dental care. You can add one to two drops to coconut oil and try oil pulling in the morning and night. Check out our holistic dental care article to learn more about using essential oils for mouth health. 

Sore Throat Relief 

As mentioned,  throughout history cultures used orange essential oil  to help ease a sore throat for fast relief. Try gargling one drop with water and salt to ease pain. 

Reduce Pain 

Orange essential oil may work as a natural remedy for muscle, bone, and joint pain by turning off inflammatory responses that increase swelling in tissue. 

A 2017 randomized clinical trial studied the effects of orange oil aromatherapy on patients admitted to the emergency room for bone fractures. The researchers put four drops of orange oil on a pad and pinned it to the patient’s collar. They replaced the pad every hour, and pain and vital signs were checked every four to six hours. 

The researchers concluded that orange oil aromatherapy could relieve pain in patients with fractured limbs. It also noted that orange oil could act as complementary medicine in these patients. 

For pain relief, diffuse 5-6 drops of orange essential oil or inhale directly from the bottle. You can also mix with a carrier oil and apply to area of pain.

Powerful Natural Antibacterial 

A 2009 study published in the International Journal of Food and Science Technology looked at the antimicrobial and antibacterial effects of orange essential oil. The study found that orange oil prevented the proliferation of E. coli bacteria, a bacteria sometimes present in contaminated foods. 

Another study published in the Journal of Food Science discovered that orange oil could also prevent the spread of salmonella bacteria due to its antimicrobial compounds. 

Lower Blood Pressure 

Orange essential oil can be a natural remedy for high blood pressure, improving blood flow and fighting hypertension. A 2014 study looked at the effects of aromatic use of orange essential oil compared to inhalation of fresh air on blood pressure. Subjects who inhaled the orange essential oil saw significant reductions in blood pressure as well as feelings of comfort. 

Final Thoughts 

Wild orange essential oil has tons of benefits. From skincare and dental care to heart health and mental health, it’s a must-have oil in your arsenal. Reap the benefits via steam distillation, topical application, or even munch on this yummy cranberry chia jam with orange essential oil. Let me know in the comments below what you are most excited to use orange oil for!

Cites

1. Modern Essentials Handbook. AromaTools, 2019.