by THEThe essential oil of the series regularly appears in scented candles and perfumes, thanks to its crunchy, lively and refreshing aroma, but the compound has more than meets the nose: Research has shown that the benefits of orange essential oil are great, including The ability to help relieves stress and fights acne.
However, before we get over ourselves on the benefits of orange essential oil, let’s get back to the basics. Orange essential oil is made by cold pressing an orange peel and extracting the oil, says Tara Scott, MD, chief physician and founder of the Revitalize Medical Group. And according to David J. Calabro, DC, a chiropractor at the Calabro Chiropractic and Wellness Center that focuses on integrated medicine and essential oils, the cold pressed element of orange essential oil production is particularly important. It’s how the oil “retains its cleansing properties,” he says.
From there, the essential oil is bottled and used for a variety of purposes, including making your home smell amazing. But, as noted earlier, orange essential oil can do much more. Keep reading for an analysis of the possible benefits of orange essential oil that you need to keep in mind, how to actually use the essential oil and how to choose the right one for you.
Benefits of orange essential oil you need to know
While lovers of orange essential oil may claim that the preparation can relieve constipation and the symptoms of depression, there is not much scientific evidence to support this claim. We said, there is Some studies that reflect orange essential oil are helpful in combating certain health problems. Here is an analysis:
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1. It can fight acne
The relationship between orange essential oil and acne prevention is not entirely clear, but it could be due to limonene, one of the main constituents of orange essential oil, which has been found to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, he says. Marvin Singh, MD, founder of the Precisione Clinic, an integrated medicine center in San Diego.
An animal study published in 2020 found that orange essential oil helped reduce acne by reducing cytokines, proteins that cause inflammation in the body. Another study published in 2012 had 28 people volunteering to try one of four different gels, including two that had been injected with sweet orange and basil essential oil, for their acne for eight weeks. The researchers found that all the gels reduced acne spots by 43 percent to 75 percent, with the gel containing sweet orange essential oil, basil and acetic acid (a clear liquid similar to vinegar) being one of the best Results. Of course, both of these studies are limited, with the first not being done in humans and the second being limited in scope, so more research is needed.
2. It can help relieve stress
Research has linked the use of orange essential oil with feeling more relaxed. A small study had 13 students in Japan sitting with their eyes closed for 90 seconds in a room that was flavored with orange essential oil. The researchers measured students’ vital signs before and after keeping their eyes closed and found that their blood pressure and heart rate dropped after exposure to orange essential oil.
Another study published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine measured brain activity in individuals and found that breathing in orange essential oil altered activity in the prefrontal cortex, which affects decision-making and social behavior. Specifically, after exposure to orange essential oil, participants experienced an increase in oxyhemoglobin or oxygenated blood, enhancing brain function. Study participants also said they felt more comfortable and relaxed afterwards.
Okay, but… why is that? Environmental researcher Yoshifumi Miyazaki, PhD, a professor at the Center for Environment, Health and Science at Chiba University who worked on the studies, says this may be due in part to limonene. “In a stressful society, our brain activity is very high,” he says. But limonene, says Dr. Miyazaki, seems to help “calm down” brain activity.
Dr. Miyazaki is not the only researcher who made this connection: A randomized controlled trial published in the journal Advanced Biomedical Research in 2013 exposed 30 children to rooms with orange essential oil during a visit to the dentist and odorless during another visit. The researchers measured the children’s anxiety by checking their saliva for the stress hormone cortisol and measuring their pulse before and after their visit. The end result? The children had lowered their pulses and cortisol levels which were “statistically significant” after hanging out in the orange essential oil rooms.
How to use orange essential oil
Most orange essential oil preparations are “super-concentrated,” says Dr. Scott, which is why he recommends using only a few drops at a time. If you want to use orange essential oil for acne, Dr. Calabro says it is best to dilute it in a carrier oil, such as fractional coconut oil, to reduce the risk of any skin sensitivity. Then simply dab on the problem areas.
To try the oil to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, Dr. Calabro recommends dropping about six drops in a diffuser filled with water and enjoying the aroma this way. You can even try using it in the shower or bath as aromatherapy, says Dr. Singh.
The biggest precaution Dr. Singh has to offer regarding the use of orange essential oil is to never apply it to your skin before sun exposure. “Orange essential oil can be phototoxic,” says Dr. Singh. “This means that you should avoid exposing your skin to the sun for 12 to 24 hours after applying it to the skin.”
What to look out for in orange essential oil
Each brand is slightly different, but Dr. Singh suggests you read the labels and do a little research before you buy. “Always use organic, pure products to reduce the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides,” he says.
Finally, Dr. Scott recommends that you look for brands that value purity and declare a “therapeutic” degree. “Otherwise, it’s just a perfume.” For some shopping options, see the links below.
Make the most of the benefits of orange essential oil with these 3 options to buy
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