The Smiling Scents of Sweet Orange
The scent of the sweet orange is instantly recognisable for its citrusy and refreshing aroma. Sourced from the orange tree, one of the oldest plants in the world, it’s historically known for its medicinal benefits for both healing the body and mind with positive, cheery and mood-boosting properties. It’s the scent that literally makes you smile.
What are the benefits of sweet orange?
The citrus family has over 2000 species worldwide, and it’s the zest of the fruits through the process of pressing to pierce the essential oil pouches on the peel which create the sweet orange essential oil (1). In China, where there is an abundance of citruses, traditional medicines believe it is a medical symbol of good luck to dispel congestion in the body and mind (2). Also in China,, as well as the Mediterranean, the Middle East and India, traditional medicines have Sweet Orange Oil essential oil has been used to relieve colds, coughs, chronic fatigue, depression, flu, indigestion, low libido, odours, poor circulation, skin infections, and spasms (1). Within Ayurvedic medicine, sweet orange is known to strengthen your aura, soothe the senses, calm the nerves and beautify from within (3).
Calm mental and emotional state, even in highly stressful situations. Research has shown children going through dental procedures (4) and women in labour (5) to feel calmer when using sweet orange essential oils.
Relieves nausea flatulence, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - this is basically all incidents of painful and reflexive muscle contractions (1)
Sweet tonic to calm ‘shen’ in TCM for clearer decisions and pleasant disposition support for the essential oil as a tranquiliser has been show in anxiety studies(8) which the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective connects to the metal element which emotionally connects to our judgment and perfectionism tendencies, thus, some pracititoners suggest that the sweet orange can provide this result through the meridian system coming into balance.
Can aid the reduction of depression, seasonal affective disorder, and nervous tension, which has been widely researched and proven (6)
Spiritual optimism that brings a smile! Its fresh an fruity aroma is is uplifting and brings us a sense of joy and positivity…easy to believe from its vibrant colour and delicious, healthy taste! (7)
Contraindications/warnings. Careful with citrus on the skin and direct sunlight as will burn the skin. Dilute topical applications and if going into the sun, make the orange blend much more diluted than normal.
How to use sweet orange
With such a sweet, light and fresh aroma, it can blend well with many other essential oils for various effects. It particularly blends well with bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, cedarwood, fennel, clary sage, frankincense, ginger, lavender, lemon, rose, Roman chamomile, peppermint, marjoram, neroli, vetover, vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli and ylang ylang.
Winter warmer smell with cardamom, cinnamon and clove will create an atmosphere or positivity and warmth to uplift a space or your body! We really love Dita’s Witch’s Apothecary Harem Body Scrub for a fully divine experience of skin-nourishing love (whatever the season) https://www.ditaswitchesapothecary.com/product-page/the-harem-the-body-scrub (note - this will be a nice IG post to tag in)
Study time with 2 drops of sweet orange blended with 1 rosemary and 1 drop of ginger in a water diffuser and let your room create a positive, clear-headed focus to retain all that information!
Meditation blend that we like for a sunny practice is to add 5 drops of sweet orange into the diffuser with 3 ylang-ylang, 4 palo santo and 4 patchouli.
Find out your next essential oil aroma
Nid doesn't have a pre-made blend for sweet orange currently, so what would you like me to make for you?
If you are interested in one of my bespoke blends that align to your intention and energetic shifts, then let me know. A candle brings ritual, but a bottle blend may be more appropriate to your setup. So get in touch and find out!
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DISCLAIMER:
This information is for general interest only and is not to be taken as advice: therapeutic, medical or otherwise. We do not make a claim of any therapeutic advice offered in the writing. Please seek professional advice for the appropriate use of essential oils for your situation.
Research used for blog:
https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-orange-oil.html
https://www.decleor.com/en/oil-effects/melanin-inhibition/sweet-orange.html
https://ayurvedicoils.com/tag/ayurvedic-health-benefits-of-sweet-orange-oil
https://www.cliganic.com/blogs/the-essentials/orange-essential-oil
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22849536/ and pg. 189 Nature’s Essential Oils: Aromatic Alchemy for Wellbeing by Cher Kaufmann 2018
Additional Books and Guides used in blog posts:
Nature’s Essential Oils: Aromatic Alchemy for Wellbeing by Cher Kaufmann 2018
Neal’s Yard Remedies: Essential Oils edited by Claire Cross 2016
Guide to Australian Essential Oils by Salvatore Battaglia 2009
A Guide to Australian Native Essential Oils 6th Edn by Greg Trevena
Healing Essences Aromatherapy Treatment Guide 2020
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