Orange

Orange essential oil is extracted from the rind of the sweet orange, Citrus sinensis. This is done by a method called cold pressing, which uses pressure to squeeze the oils from the rind. Sometimes, the leaves and flowers from the orange plant can be used as well.

Orange essential oil has a variety of uses. These can include applications to:

• lift your mood or reduce stress

• treat skin conditions such as acne

• reduce pain or inflammation

• relieve stomach upset

• use as a natural household cleaner

• add a pleasant scent to a room or to products like perfumes and cleaners

• give flavor to a variety of foods and beverages

Some of the research that’s been done so far on orange essential oil are as follows:

Antimicrobial activity A 2012 studyTrusted Source looked at the effect of orange essential oil on E. coli isolates obtained from beef. These isolates can potentially cause food poisoning. Results indicated that after 24 hours, a 1 percent or lower concentration of orange essential oil inhibited the bacteria at refrigeration temperatures. Another studyTrusted Source looked at the effect of orange essential oil on strains of Staphylococcus aureus(staph bacteria) that are resistant to antibiotics. They found that when added to infected human cells in culture, low concentrations of orange essential oil killed the bacteria without harming the cultured cells. Orange essential oil may also prevent the growth of fungi that can cause food to spoil. One studyTrusted Source found that orange oil provided some protection against four species of fungi. Another studyTrusted Source recorded activity against eight fungi that affect vegetables, although essential oils like clove and garlic were more effective. Summary Orange essential oil can be effective at stopping the growth of some types of bacteria and fungi.

Anxiety and depression Aromatherapy with orange essential oil appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. In a 2013 studyTrusted Source, it was found that aromatherapy with orange essential oil reduced the pulse rate and stress hormone levels in children undergoing a dental procedure. Additionally, in a 2015 studyTrusted Source, women in labor reported less anxiety after inhaling orange essential oil than women in the control group who inhaled distilled water. A 2019 studyTrusted Source on mice looked at the inhalation of orange essential oils and its potential effect on depression. The researchers found that the mice who inhaled the orange essential oil displayed fewer depression-like behaviors. Orange essential oil appears to be effective at reducing levels of stress and anxiety. It may also be beneficial for depression, although more research is needed.

Pain relief A 2017 studyTrusted Source involving people with bone fractures looked at whether inhaling orange essential oil could help with pain. Compared to a control group, people inhaling orange oil reported less pain. In 2008Trusted Source, researchers assessed if a blend of ginger and orange essential oil could help with knee pain when applied to the skin. Compared to a control group, people using the essential oil blend reported greater short-term pain relief, but the oil didn’t seem to help with long-term pain. Summary Some small studies have indicated that using orange essential oil topically or for aromatherapy may help with short-term pain.

Anticancer and antioxidant activity Limonene, a component of orange essential oil, has been investigated as a potential cancer treatment. A study from 2012Trusted Source found that orange oil rich in limonene both inhibited the growth and promoted the death of colon cancer cells in culture. A 2017 studyTrusted Source found that orange essential oil inhibited the growth of lung and prostate cancer cell lines in culture. Additionally, increased cell death was seen in the lung cancer cell line. Orange essential oil was also observed to have antioxidant activity. Studies have indicated that orange essential oil or its components can inhibit the growth and lead to cell death in some cultured cancer cell lines. Because these studies were done in a test tube and not in the human body, additional research is needed to learn more about these properties.

Exercise performance A small 2016 studyTrusted Source evaluated the effect of inhaled orange flower essential oil on exercise in student athletes. The researchers found that people who inhaled the oil had a significant decrease in running times as well as an increase in lung function. Due to the small size of the study, more research is needed to support this benefit.

Weight loss A 2019 studyTrusted Source on rats evaluated if orange essential oil could promote weight loss. They found that obese rats that were fed capsules of orange essential oil showed a reduction in weight gain as well as lowered cholesterol. More research is needed to determine if orange essential oil can have the same effect on humans.

Insecticide activity A 2012 studyTrusted Source looked at the effect that orange essential oil had on housefly larvae and pupae. It was found to have insecticidal properties by both contact and fumigation. Source: https://www.healthline.com