Orange Essential Oil

When reading about essential oils; there are many that are extremely popular. You mostly hear about lavender oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil, chamomile oil etc. These oils have amazing properties; as do they all. But, you don't hear as much about orange oil. The idea of orange oil fascinated me. This may be because I thought at first that it came from oranges. Well it does come from oranges; but it comes from the skin or the peel of the orange. Some people say that this oil like lemon oil can be taken internally. Though it does have the fragrance of the fruit that bears it's name, many other sources say that no essential oil should be taken internally because it can be poisonous. I have personally only used peppermint oil internally and have been afraid to use any others without more evidence of their safety.

Essential oils can be used in a few ways. One of the basic ways to use the oil on the body is to add the oil to a carrier oil such as olive oil, sweet almond oil etc. I have personally found olive oil to be the best carrier. I have eczema and very sensitive skin and have always had an allergic reaction to something in sweet almond oil. I'm not sure if it's the fragrance or the almond; but it has never served as a good carrier oil for me. Something else to consider when deciding to use an essential oil in a carrier oil for a body use preparation is sensitive skin. Like orange oil is not recommended for use all over my body because of eczema. But a little bit added to a carrier oil dabbed on a few select places can be used by someone with sensitive skin. Just be sure to avoid popular breakout locations. To be honest; I actually use many essential oils straight from the bottle like perfume if I'm using them for emotional types of needs. I of course don't put them on sensitive areas. But, my wrists are usually okay.

Orange essential oil is--not surprisingly--considered an antidepressant. I don't know what it is, but when I even think of the idea of the oil I do get a bit excited. I don't know if it's just the color image it brings to my mind or what. But there is definitely something happy and pleasant even about the idea of orange essential oil for me. Actually utilizing the oil and inhaling it are very pleasant and calming as well. It is considered an anti-inflammatory herb and an antispasmodic. Though eczema is inflammation and something like orange oil is soothing. Sometimes I find that oils with a citrus-like undertone can be a bit drying to my skin after a breakout. So though it is soothing; it is important for my skin to stay moisturized.

Orange oil is even thought by some to be an aphrodisiac. I haven't tried this use out yet, but if such a thing exists; I wouldn't be surprised if orange oil was one of them. It is also known as a sedative. It's definitely happy in a bubbly sort of way for me while at the same time being very calming.

One of my favorite methods of utilizing orange oil is not only as a fragrance for me, but also as a house spray. Just buy an empty spray bottle and fill up with water. Add as many drops as you like of orange oil. For me to a 16 oz spray bottle, I might add like 10-20 drops. Shake it up and spray around your house and in the air. I prefer this delivery method over a candle diffuser or lamp ring for my essential oils for some reason. I guess I feel once the oil is all turned into smoke which usually doesn't take very long; it's just done and the process is so involved if I want more fragrance in the air. I just like the ease of just picking up a spray bottle and spritzing the air whenever I like.