ÖEssential oils of the range make regular appearances in scented candles and perfumes thanks to their crisp, tangy, and refreshing aroma, but the compound has more to offer than what you get on your nose: Research has shown that the benefits of orange essential oil are broad are including the ability to help reduce stress and fight acne.
Before we dive into information about the benefits of orange essential oil, however, let’s get back to the basics. Orange essential oil is made by cold pressing the peel of an orange and extracting the oil, says Tara Scott, MD, chief medical officer and founder of the functional medicine group, Revitalize Medical Group. And according to David J. Calabro, DC, a chiropractor at Calabro Chiropractic and Wellness Center who specializes in integrative medicine and essential oils, is particularly concerned with the cold-pressing element of orange oil production. This is how the oil “retains its cleaning properties,” he says.
From there, the essential oil is bottled and used for a variety of different purposes, including creating a fantastic smell in your home. But as mentioned earlier, orange essential oil can do a lot more. Read on for a breakdown of the potential orange essential oil benefits that you should keep in mind, how you actually use the essential oil and how to choose the right one for you.
The Orange Essential Oil Benefits You Should Know About
While fans of orange essential oil can claim the brew can relieve constipation and symptoms of depression alike, there isn’t much scientific data to support this claim. However, there are some studies that show that orange essential oil is helpful in fighting certain health problems. Here is a breakdown:
1. It could fight acne
The link between orange essential oil and acne prevention is not entirely clear, but it could be due to limonene, a key ingredient in orange essential oil that has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, says Marvin Singh, MD, founder of Precisione Clinic, an integrative center Medicine in San Diego.
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An animal study published in 2020 found that orange essential oil helps reduce acne by lowering cytokines, proteins that cause inflammation in the body. Another study, published in 2012, had 28 human volunteers try one of four different gels, including two fortified with sweet orange essential oil and basil, for eight weeks on their acne. The researchers found that all of the gels reduced acne marks by 43 percent to 75 percent, with the gel, which contained orange essential oil, basil, and acetic acid (a clear liquid similar to vinegar), being among the top performers. Of course, both studies are limited with the first non-human and the second limited in scope so further research is needed.
2. It can help relieve anxiety
Research has linked the use of orange essential oil to feeling more relaxed. In a small study, 13 students in Japan sat for 90 seconds with their eyes closed in a room that smelled of orange essential oil. Researchers measured the students’ vital signs before and after they closed their eyes, and found that their blood pressure and heart rate decreased after exposure to the orange essential oil.
Another study, published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, measured brain activity in subjects and found that inhaling orange essential oil altered activity in the prefrontal cortex, affecting decision-making and social behavior. In particular, after exposure to orange essential oil, participants experienced increases in oxyhemoglobin, or oxygenated blood, which improved brain function. Study participants also said they felt more comfortable and relaxed afterwards.
Okay, but … why is that? Environmental researcher Yoshifumi Miyazaki, PhD, professor at Chiba University’s Center for Environmental, Health, and Field Sciences who helped on the studies, says this may be partly due to lime. “In a stressed society, our brain activity is too high,” he says. But limes, says Dr. Miyazaki, appears to help “calm down” brain activity.
Dr. Miyazaki isn’t the only researcher to make this connection: a randomized controlled trial published in the journal Advanced Biomedical Research in 2013 placed 30 children in rooms infused with orange essential oil during one visit to the dentist and without them during another visit Aroma. The researchers measured the children’s fear by measuring their saliva for the stress hormone cortisol and their pulse before and after the visit. The final result? The children had lowered their heart rate and cortisol levels, which were “statistically significant”, after hanging out with essential oils in the orange rooms.
How to use orange essential oil
Most orange essential oil preparations are “super-concentrated,” says Dr. Scott, which is why she recommends using only a few drops at a time. If you’re looking to use orange essential oil for acne, Dr. Calabro, it’s best to dilute it in a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil to reduce the risk of skin sensitivity to problem areas.
To try the oil for relieving anxiety symptoms, Dr. Calabro, put about six drops in a diffuser filled with water and enjoy the scent in this way. You can even try using it as aromatherapy in the shower or bath, says Dr. Singh.
The greatest precaution that Dr. Singh has to offer in regards to using orange essential oil is never to apply it to your skin before sunbathing. “Orange essential oil can be phototoxic,” says Dr. Singh. “That means you shouldn’t expose your skin to the sun for 12 to 24 hours after you apply it to the skin.”
What to look for in orange essential oil
Every brand is slightly different, but Dr. Singh recommends reading the labels and doing a little research before purchasing. “Always use organic, pure products to reduce your risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides,” he says.
Finally, Dr. Scott that you are “looking for brands that rate purity and indicate a ‘therapeutic’ grade. Otherwise it’s just fragrance. ”To find some purchase options, see the links below.
Take advantage of orange essential oil with these 3 purchase options
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