There are many different types of orange trees, but in this article the focus is going to be on Citrus Aurantium also known as the bitter orange tree. There are 3 different aromas that can come from the bitter orange tree depending on which part is distilled.
The peal of the orange can be distilled to get the Bitter Orange essential oil. The flowers from this tree are distilled to get the Orange blossom or Neroli essential oil, and then the leaves and twigs are distilled to get Petitgrain essential oil. Orange blossom is the state flower of Florida, so if you live in the sunshine state and haven’t experienced this incredible oil yet, buckle your seatbelt!
Neroli/Orange blossom essential oil is pricey due to the fact that the flowers produce such a small quantity of oil, so not only does it take longer to get the oil, but it also is harder work as well. In order to make a significant amount of the essential oil, around 1,000 pounds of the flower is needed! The flower can quickly loose their oil after they are taken from the tree; therefore, the orange blossom must be handpicked and cannot be bruised or excessively handled.
The state flower of Florida is the Orange Blossom, which is in fact the very flower that can be made into the essential oil. There are many health benefits to this essential oil, and even though it may be on the pricier side, I think you’ll start to see its worth.
6 Benefits of Orange Blossom/ Neroli Essential Oil
- Reduces inflammation/Gas
Within the essential oil, there are biologically active constituents that have the ability to reduce inflammation. This oil can help relieve gas and undesired indigestion after eating. 2
2. Rejuvenates and Repairs the Skin
This essential oil is able to help repair the skin at a cellular level, which can be beneficial for scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks.
3. Reduce Menopause Symptoms
Just by inhaling this oil, it can help to reduce blood pressure and stress for women who are going through menopause.
4. Manages Seizures
There was a study done in 2014 about the anticonvulsant properties of Neroli oil, and they found that the oil does help manage seizures because of the biologically active constituents.
5. Acne Treatment
The antibacterial properties within Neroli essential oil can help treat breakouts and unwanted acne.
6. Reduces Harmful Bacteria
Neroil can help kill unpleasant bacteria that may enter your body from food poisoning and cholera.
A friendly reminder:
When choosing which brand to buy make sure that it is high quality. There can be a lack of standards and regulations when it comes to essential oils, so when a brand declares that they’re “pure” or “natural” you have to be careful. Essential oils found at the drugstore are not therapeutic grade and may contain other unnecessary ingredients.
A good brand should follow these guidelines:
- Each plant grown indigenously for the healthiest plant
- Grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides, etc
- Harvested with precise timing to ensure peak properties
- Extracted with proper temp and pressure to preserve oil molecules
- Third-party testing of every batch
- Proper plant varieties
- Stand behind the internal use of their oils
Different ways to use essential oils:
Diffuser: You can use cypress by itself or there are other oils that pair well with it for a sweet aroma. Some of these oils include:
Topically: Where perfume may be applied is always a good place to start, meaning on your throat and on your wrists are always safe and helpful. Another good place is the back of your neck.
Internally: You can dilute the oil with water or put into a veggie cap and swallow the pill whole.
In foods/drinks: Breads, Salads, Smoothies, and meats are great places to start.
Another way that has been popular in regards to Neroli/Orange Blossom essential oil is the Orange Blossom water. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some fresh flowers, try this recipe below! It is from TheSpruce.com.
Orange Blossom Water: Do’s and Dont’s
- Use flowers that have not been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides.
- Pick blossoms early in the morning before the sun gets too hot, about 2 to 3 hours after sunrise.
- Wash the blossoms and petals in cool water and rinse thoroughly to remove insects and dirt.
How to make Orange Blossom Water
- Macerate petals using a stone or porcelain mortar and pestle and let sit for several hours.
- Place petals in a large glass jar with lid and cover with distilled water. Less is more. You can always add more later.
- Let stand in the full sun for a couple of weeks. Check the scent. If it is too weak leave it in the sun for another week.
- Strain the blossom water into several smaller sterilized jars with lids.
- Store in a cool dark location such as the refrigerator.
The benefits of Neroli/Orange Blossom oil are apparent, but the process to getting those benefits are a lot of work. Through the research and studies there are so many cool and unique ways to use and benefit from this essential oil. The price is worth it, and from what I have read so is the smell of the oil. The state of Florida knows what they’re doing by picking this flower as their state flower!
There is an incredibly delicious product that I love. It’s organic stevia sweetened with orange blossom essential oil. I add a few drops of this to cold water in the summer and it’s a sweet, smooth-tasting drink that I highly recommend trying out! You can get that stevia from OmicaOrganics.com here. If you’d like a discount code off that order shoot me a message on facebook and i’ll message you back a discount code to receive a discount off your order!
You can get pure organic neroli (orange blossom) essential oil on amazon by clicking here.
Works Cited: https://draxe.com/neroli-essential-oil/, http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/cardamom-essential-oil.html), https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/neroli-essential-oil.html
https://www.thespruce.com/make-orange-flower-water-infusion-method-2394974
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