Orange Steam Distilled Oil

Orange oil comes from Citrus sinensis, and it is the peel of the fruits that are used for medicine. 

Orange is an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful natural antioxidant that builds the body’s immune system. It has been used traditionally to treat ailments like constipation, cramps, colic, diarrhoea, bronchitis, tuberculosis, cough, cold, obesity, menstrual disorder, angina, hypertension, anxiety, depression and stress.

Aromatic profile: Fresh, sweet and citrus.

Benefits of Orange

Orange Oil is reputed to have many therapeutic properties. The following highlights its many benefits and the kinds of activity it is believed to show:

• COSMETIC: Tonic, Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cleansing, Stimulant.
• ODOROUS: Anti-Depressant, Anti-Spasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Carminative, Diuretic, Sedative.
• MEDICINAL: Anti-Depressant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Spasmodic, Anti-Septic, Carminative, Diuretic, Tonic, Sedative, Cholagogic, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Microbial.

1. Antimicrobial activity

A 2012 study looked at the effect of orange essential oil on E. coli isolates obtained from beef. These isolates can potentially cause food poisoning. Results indicated that after 24 hours, a 1 percent or lower concentration of orange essential oil inhibited the bacteria at refrigeration temperatures.

Another study looked at the effect of orange essential oil on strains of Staphylococcus aureus (staph bacteria) that are resistant to antibiotics. They found that when added to infected human cells in culture, low concentrations of orange essential oil killed the bacteria without harming the cultured cells.

Orange essential oil may also prevent the growth of fungi that can cause food to spoil. One study found that orange oil provided some protection against four species of fungi.

Another study recorded activity against eight fungi that affect vegetables, although essential oils like clove and garlic were more effective.

2. Anxiety and depression

Aromatherapy with orange essential oil appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

In a 2013 study, it was found that aromatherapy with orange essential oil reduced the pulse rate and stress hormone levels in children undergoing a dental procedure.

Additionally, in a 2015 study, women in labour reported less anxiety after inhaling orange essential oil than women in the control group who inhaled distilled water.

A 2019 study on mice looked at the inhalation of orange essential oils and its potential effect on depression. The researchers found that the mice who inhaled the orange essential oil displayed fewer depression-like behaviours.

3. Pain relief

A 2017 studyT involving people with bone fractures looked at whether inhaling orange essential oil could help with pain. Compared to a control group, people inhaling orange oil reported less pain.

In 2008, researchers assessed if a blend of ginger and orange essential oil could help with knee pain when applied to the skin. Compared to a control group, people using the essential oil blend reported greater short-term pain relief, but the oil didn’t seem to help with long-term pain.

4. Anticancer and antioxidant activity

Limonene, a component of orange essential oil, has been investigated as a potential cancer treatment. A study from 2012 found that orange oil rich in limonene both inhibited the growth and promoted the death of colon cancer cells in culture.

A 2017 study found that orange essential oil inhibited the growth of lung and prostate cancer cell lines in culture. Additionally, increased cell death was seen in the lung cancer cell line. Orange essential oil was also observed to have antioxidant activity.

5. Exercise performance

A small 2016 study evaluated the effect of inhaled orange flower essential oil on exercise in student athletes. The researchers found that people who inhaled the oil had a significant decrease in running times as well as an increase in lung function.

6. Weight loss

A 2019 study on rats evaluated if orange essential oil could promote weight loss. They found that obese rats that were fed capsules of orange essential oil showed a reduction in weight gain as well as lowered cholesterol.

7. Insecticide activity

A 2012 study looked at the effect that orange essential oil had on housefly larvae and pupae. It was found to have insecticidal properties by both contact and fumigation.

15ml