Sweet Orange - Citrus sinensis

Sweet Orange essential oil comes from the rind of the sweet orange.  Imagine cutting into an orange and inhaling its fresh, uplifting scent.  The aroma alone can improve your mood.  With approximately 98% monoterpenes - of which 95.5% is d- limonene -- this oil has a plethora of therapeutic properties.

The limonene content in Sweet Orange EO stimulates the immune system, activates white blood cells, and  is antibacterial.  It's anti-inflammatory, and its antinociceptive action can help relieve nociceptive pain  (see the nociceptive pain article under Karen's Blog) which helps make it a good analgesic.  As mentioned above, Sweet Orange can help reduce anxiety and lift your mood.  

Because of the limonene, Sweet Orange acts as an antioxidant in our bodies and  has demonstrated antitumoral properties in scientific studies.  Ironically though, the oil itself will oxidize easily if not properly stored (cool, dark space with minimal exposure to air).

Sweet Orange EO is great in diffuser blends during cold and flu season, in diffuser and inhaler blends when your spirits are low, and in topical blends for soothing achy joints and muscles.  As a skin penetration enhancer, it'll help all the constituents of a topical blend absorb more deeply.  Although it's a citrus oil, Sweet Orange is not phototoxic, so UV exposure after application is fine.

The main precaution for Sweet Orange is that it may be a mild skin irritant for some, but, if oxidized, will irritate the skin and mucous membranes.  It is recommended that it be limited to 1 - 2% in topical blends, and that you should not vaporize this oil in high ozone (smog) areas.

To learn more about Sweet Orange Essential Oils, check out its Datasheet in the membership section.