Orange

Citrus Sinensis

Orange Oil is a rich and comforting fragrance which helps with alleviating anxiety and depression and soothing headaches. It is also an excellent travel companion as it can be used as a natural insect repellent or as an ointment for irritated skin. Use this in your own DIY candles, or to create a warming scent for your home - Orange Oil really is a staple to have in your collection.

History of Orange Oil

Orange essential oil was first recognised for its healing properties in ancient China, where it was used to help with common colds and harsh coughs. The Chinese see the Orange as a symbol of good fortune, and for thousands of years it has been used in Chinese cooking, medicine and culture.  In the early 1900's, Orange oil was used as a form of perfume in the Middle-East and across Europe, and Orange oil is still used in modern perfumes as it layers well and has a long-lasting scent. Today, creating your own perfume using essential oils has never been easier! Due to its extensive use through history, Orange oil is still used to treat sickness in alternative medicine, and to date is one of the most important citrus oils commercially. In fact, it is one of the only citrus oils to be produced on a large scale due to the demand for it.

So, why is Orange Oil still so popular today?

Because it has multiple uses, and is fairly accessible as a commercial oil!

Orange oil is commonly used in aromatherapy, skincare and beauty, but can be used in the home as a cleaning tool and for polishing wood. Due to the fact it’s a multi-purpose oil and has strong historical routes, in our eyes it will always be a staple for our collection. Unlike other essential oils on the market, the smell and taste of Orange is widely popular, and for those who don’t enjoy intense or unfamiliar smells that come with other essential oils, Orange is a ‘safe’ and easy oil to get to grips with. Whether it’s for creating a floor cleaner that cuts through grime, or putting a few drops in an electric diffuser to help you go to sleep, Orange oil is a staple in our eyes - and with an affordable price point, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have it.

Extracting Orange Oil

Commercially, Orange oil can be made one of two ways: cold-pressing and steam distillation. Cold pressing is the most common, and works by heating the orange peels first to a particular temperature to make extraction easier (without damaging the oil) and then pressing the peels to extract the oil! Orange oil is derived from the orange peel only, so if you plan to extract oil in your own home, make sure you don’t use the flesh (that will just give you orange juice!). Steam distillation is achieved through steaming the oil out of the peel, and separating the water from the oil. Steam distillation is used more commonly to extract Lavender oil due to its delicacy, but is also being trialled on Orange and other citrus oils by commercial businesses to see whether this method of extraction yields more oil or not.

Other ways you can extract orange oil is through using alcohol to pull the oils out of the rind. This is more of a DIY method that can be done with smaller quantities, and if you have some time on your hands to experiment, you can definitely give this one a try. Simply dry the orange peels out and put in a jar with alcohol, leave for a couple of days and then strain the mixture through a cheesecloth - viola! You have orange oil! Luckily, if DIY isn’t your forte - Orange oil is easily accessible and also an affordable essential oil. The most commonly bought is sweet orange oil over bitter, just because it has a nicer scent when burned or mixed with other essential oils.

What do you think of Orange oil? Is it a staple in your collection? We’d love to hear how you use orange oil in your home, so feel free to reach out to one of the Essentially Yours team today and share your story.

Other ways you can extract orange oil is through using alcohol to pull the oils out of the rind. This is more of a DIY method that can be done with smaller quantities, and if you have some time on your hands to experiment, you can definitely give this one a try. Simply dry the orange peels out and put in a jar with alcohol, leave for a couple of days and then strain the mixture through a cheesecloth - viola! You have orange oil! Luckily, if DIY isn’t your forte - Orange oil is easily accessible and also an affordable essential oil. The most commonly bought is sweet orange oil over bitter, just because it has a nicer scent when burned or mixed with other essential oils.

What do you think of Orange oil? Is it a staple in your collection? We’d love to hear how you use orange oil in your home, so feel free to reach out to one of the Essentially Yours team today and share your story.

Orange Oil Varieties

Orange Oil Varieties

 The orange tree is considered sacred in Chinese culture, and orange oil has survived through time to still be a staple in a lot of essential oil collections (including ours). It’s incredibly versatile - from being used as perfume in the 1900's to now being used as wood polish in the modern home, Orange oil has multiple uses which is what makes it so popular! But - did you now that there is more than one type of Orange oil available on the market?

There are three types of Orange oil we want to highlight…

Sweet Orange oil

The most commonly used out of the three, sweet Orange oil has a (you guessed it!) sweet smell and is used in aromatherapy as well as cooking.

Bitter Orange oil

This is another popular orange oil for aromatherapy, as well as treating cold and flu symptoms. Some who use bitter Orange oil have also said that it helps with digestion and calming your stomach.

Orange blossom oil

Extracted from the blossoms on the Orange tree, Orange blossom oil is used in aromatherapy and also skincare. It is the most expensive out of the three due to the fact that the blossom produces much less oil than its other counterparts.

So, how do I know which variety is best for me?

Each person differs and a lot of the time it’s down to your personal preference on scent, and how each oil works for you. In our eyes, sweet and bitter Orange oil are the best to use due to their price point, and also because they target the exact same issues that an Orange blossom oil would! Alternatively, if you try Orange blossom oil and it works perfectly for you - then go ahead and keep using it!

We always recommend experimenting with blends and doing your research on each oil before purchasing so you know exactly what you can use it for. If you are someone who finds yourself reaching for Orange oil the most out of your collection, you would probably see the value in using the cheaper oils for cleaning and general day to day, but using the blossom oil to give yourself a touch more luxury.

Sweet Orange oil

The most commonly used out of the three, sweet Orange oil has a (you guessed it!) sweet smell and is used in aromatherapy as well as cooking.

Bitter Orange oil

This is another popular orange oil for aromatherapy, as well as treating cold and flu symptoms. Some who use bitter Orange oil have also said that it helps with digestion and calming your stomach.

Orange blossom oil

Extracted from the blossoms on the Orange tree, Orange blossom oil is used in aromatherapy and also skincare. It is the most expensive out of the three due to the fact that the blossom produces much less oil than its other counterparts.

So, how do I know which variety is best for me?

Each person differs and a lot of the time it’s down to your personal preference on scent, and how each oil works for you. In our eyes, sweet and bitter Orange oil are the best to use due to their price point, and also because they target the exact same issues that an Orange blossom oil would! Alternatively, if you try Orange blossom oil and it works perfectly for you - then go ahead and keep using it!

We always recommend experimenting with blends and doing your research on each oil before purchasing so you know exactly what you can use it for. If you are someone who finds yourself reaching for Orange oil the most out of your collection, you would probably see the value in using the cheaper oils for cleaning and general day to day, but using the blossom oil to give yourself a touch more luxury.

Benefits of Orange Oil

Orange oil has been around for hundreds of years, and was first used by the ancient Chinese in alternative medicine, as well as other parts of their culture, too. Since then, it has traveled through the ages and has been used in beauty and aromatherapy. In fact, in the 1900's it was used as perfume, as its strong smell was able to mask the pungent body odor of those who hadn’t bathed. In modern times, Orange oil is commonly used in aromatherapy as well as beauty and as a household cleaner.

So, what are the benefits of using Orange oil?

Calming and uplifting in aromatherapy

The scent of sweet Orange oil is beautiful, which makes it popular in aromatherapy. Orange oil blends beautifully with a lot of other essential oils on the market, too!

Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression

Recent studies have found that using Orange oil in aromatherapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, by lowering the heart rate. This is great if you are looking for an alternative way to wind down after a stressful day.

A natural remedy for pain

Orange oil is often used in conjunction with other natural remedies and teas to help reduce pain.

Non-chemical way of cleaning

Orange oil is great to use for cleaning the house, or polishing wood. The oils give off a beautiful smell, whilst keeping wood and other natural surfaces fresh and gleaming. If you are looking to use less chemicals when cleaning, then switching to using an essential oil blended with vinegar or alcohol is a great alternative.

Soothes muscle aches and pains

Applying Orange oil mixed with a carrier oil topically to skin can help to soothe muscle aches and pains!

These are just some of the benefits of using Orange oil, but we wanted to share our favourites. You’ll see from the above that this is an incredibly versatile oil, and with a beautiful scent we guarantee that you’ll find yourself addicted to using Orange oil in no time!

Please note, that the benefits of using this oil may vary from person to person - so it’s all down to personal preference and how your body reacts to using each essential oil.

Uses of Orange Oil

Orange essential oil has been around for hundreds of years, originally being used by the ancient Chinese for alternative medicine and healing purposes. The Chinese regard the orange as sacred in their culture, and is a staple in many other countries either for health purposes, or for cooking and general well-being. In the 1900's the strong smell that Orange oil emits was used as perfume, as personal hygiene was scarce during that period and the wealthy wanted to smell nice. There are some historians who claim that some only bathed once a year! Orange oil has traveled through the ages, and is still a staple for many today.

So, what can you use Orange essential oil for?

Aromatherapy

Like most essential oils, they work extremely well for aromatherapy. Orange oil is used in aromatherapy to help with stress, anxiety and sleep issues as it has proved to be a natural mood lifter.

Perfume

If you want to be like your ancestors, mix a few drops of Orange essential oil with a carrier oil such as Almond or Jojoba. Apply to your wrist and neck for a beautiful, citrus scent!

Massage

Orange oil can be mixed with a massage oil and can be applied directly to the skin this way. If you struggle with bad skin on your back, Orange oil has been reported by some that it helps with acne and other blemishes on the face and the body.

Wood polish

If you aren’t a fan of using harsh chemicals or man made products, simply use some Orange oil on your wooden goods to give them the shine and moisture they need!

Floor cleaner

Not only will it make your floor smell delicious, but Orange oil has anti-microbial properties that can help with keeping germs at bay.

Air freshener

Whether you mix this in some water and spritz it around the room, or use an electric diffuser, Orange oil is a great natural air freshener that will give every room a lift.

Cooking and baking

Whether it’s adding flavour to an orange icing, or enhancing a sauce, some Orange oils can be used in cooking. Make sure the oil you purchase is safe to ingest, and then you’re ready to start using it for sweet and savory dishes!

Blends well with

Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing our thoughts and knowledge with you, enabling you to get the most out of your essential oil collection. Whether you are a newbie, or a seasoned essential oil user with extensive knowledge, our website is packed full of information to help you understand this beautiful world more! In this blog, we are going to be talking specifically about Orange essential oil and what it blends well with. In our eyes, Orange should be a staple in your collection, as it’s incredibly versatile - and a lot of people love the smell of Orange! It has been used in ancient Chinese alternative medicine, as well as through the ages as health remedies, or perfume.

Jojoba Oil

With soothing properties, Jojoba oil is a carrier oil that is often suited to those that have sensitive skin or acne prone skin. It’s properties mimic the natural oils of our skin, which means that you can use this for multiple beauty regimes when mixed with Orange oil. The Orange oil is also packed with vitamins and anti- microbial properties, making Jojoba oil our favourite carrier oil to blend with orange.

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Coconut Oil

A carrier oil, Coconut oil is a perfect oil to use as a moisturiser on the skin or to make your own beauty products with Orange oil. Remember, this is an oil that is solid at room temperature, so if you are creating a blend you will have to slightly heat this oil so it can mix in with the Orange oil well.

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Almond Oil

Sweet and delicious, Almond oil is another carrier oil that compliments Orange perfectly. Great for hair masks and moisturising the skin, Almond oil is a personal favourite of ours to blend with Orange oil.

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Lemon Oil

Citrusy and tangy, of course Lemon is the perfect blend when combined with Orange oil! Creating a beautiful, fresh scent (which can be used to scent a room, or to clean) this is one of our favourite blends.

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Geranium Oil

The complex and somewhat intense scent of Geranium can be uplifted and made lighter by combining it with some Orange oil.

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Cedarwood Oil

Creamy and woody, Cedarwood blends perfectly with Orange to create a subtle yet fresh aroma. This blend works really well in an electric diffuser or in a homemade candle, especially if you aren’t a fan of intense blends.

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Jasmine Oil

Fragrant and incredibly light, Jasmine is one of those scents that transports you to a view with fresh air, and a warm breeze in your hair. Orange and Jasmine work in harmony, creating a calming scent that can bring peace to any room.

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