Essential Oil of the Month: Sweet Orange
This deliciously sweet and cheerful essential oil is affectionately known as the “Oil of Joy”, and that is exactly the gift that Sweet Orange brings: happiness, joy, laughter, and serenity. Uplifting moods and spirits, it also helps soothe frayed nerves, and brightens our own luminosity.
As if that were not enough, Sweet Orange is detoxifying and is used to ease digestive upsets. It has long been considered a symbol of luck and good fortune and celebration. What’s more, children love it! And why not? It brings a sense of cheery childlike delight.
On an energetic level, Sweet Orange opens the heart chakra and is thought to harmonize relationships. Also, it is said to clear stagnant energies and restore the aura after serious illness or emotional stress.
Though Sweet Orange oil may be distilled, as in traditional essential oils, it is most commonly extracted from the pressed peel (cold pressed). Our first thought of sweet orange may be in the form of orange juice and indeed, its essential oil, or cold-pressed oil, is often a by-product of the juicing process. After the oranges have been peeled for juice, they are pressed to release the essential oil from the orange skin cells, or small pockets through centrifugation. If you have ever twisted a zest of orange or lemon, you may have noticed the spritz of fragrance, or possibly even have been the unhappy recipient of that spritz in your face! It is the essential oil in that spritz.
Sweet Orange Through History:
Oranges are mentioned in ancient Chinese literature as far back as 2400 BC. It is believed that oranges reached America in 1493 when Christopher Columbus brought orange seeds with him when he set out to discover the New World. This early variety is thought to be the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), not to be confused with Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis).
In the mid-1500’s, the explorer Ponce de Leon is credited for being the first to plant orange trees in North America, particularly Florida. The first orange tree planted in California was in 1769 by Spanish missionaries led by Father Junipero Serra.
One of the main reasons that oranges became a favored fruit by explorers is because of their vitamin C content, which helped to protect against scurvy. Before the use of oranges, full ship crews could come down with the disease on long voyages. Therefore, oranges were always available on Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese ships during that time. They would plant the trees along their trade routes to ensure that the fruit would be available to them.
Today we similarly value the sweet orange for its vitamin C content in orange juice, of course, but it is also present in the essential oil along with vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants. An important difference is that the essential oil is to be used externally, as the vitamins can be obtained dermally (through the skin), and not for oral or internal use.
Relaxing Detox Diffuser Blend:
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Ylang ylang
1 drop Frankincense
3 drops Sweet Orange
Or, for a relaxing, detoxifying massage oil, add to 1oz carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or grapeseed oil.
Product Suggestions Featuring Sweet Orange
Precautions: Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid direct contact with eyes, inner ears, and other sensitive areas. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any underlying health conditions, consult with your health care professional before using essential oils or other personal care products.Do not use neat (undiluted) on skin or before sun exposure, as it can increase photosensitivity.