Sweet orange ethereal oil

Botanical name: Citrus sinensis

Precautions: Generally non-toxic (although ingestion of large amounts of orange peel has known to be fatal to children); non-irritant and non-sensitizing, however, there is a possible skin sensitization issue if old or oxidised oil is used.

Sweet orange EO showed anti-carcinogenic potential via inducing apoptosis in human leukemia cells and human colon cancer cells, and also have the ability to form new blood vessels.

Using sweet orange EO induces physiological and psychological relaxation - inhalation increases comfortable, relaxed, and natural feelings. Within holistic aromatherapy applications, the energising aroma of sweet orange decreases the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

In skin care applications, it can be helpful in toners and skin care products intended for oily skin. In household cleaning applications, sweet orange EO is becoming a common addition to help dissolving oil and grease. A study done in Hong Kong has shown that sweet orange EO, in combination with ginger as a massage oil, was effective in alleviating knee pain among the elderly.

Sweet orange EO is also a potent fumigant against house flies, cockroaches, and mosquitoes and can be used for controlling subterranean termites.

Herbal Folk Tradition
Orange is one of the ancient, most traded, and most popular crops. The earliest records of its cultivation date back to 2100 BC and it's origin still remains controversial. However, it is believed to have originated from Southeast Asia. Now, citrus fruits are grown widely all over the world for its numerous health benefits, especially for its Vitamin C.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried sweet orange peels are used to treat coughs, colds, anorexia and breast sores. Li Shizhen, China’s greatest naturalist of the Ming dynasty, says “The fruits of all the different species and varieties of citrus are considered by the Chinese to be cooling. If eaten in excess they are thought to increase the “phlegm”, and this is probably not advantageous to the health. The sweet varieties increase bronchial secretion and the sour promote expectoration. They all quench thirst, and are stomachic and carminative”.