Mandarin Essence

Description

MANDARIN / TANGERINE (Citrus retuculata, syn C.nobilis)

Family : Rutaceae (citrus)

Source: The Essential oil is obtained from the peel of fruit.

(N.B. Petitgrain can be from the same trees, only the leaves and twigs are used.)

Fragrance:Sweet, orange/lemon.

Volatility: Top note.

General description and habitat:

Member of the orange family but smaller and more spreading with smaller leaves and fruits; delicately flavored; cultivated in Japan and China, the Mediterranean, North Africa, South and North America; essence comes mainly from Brazil, Italy and the USA.

In the USA the Tangerine is preferred. It is slightly larger than the modern Mandarin, rounder and has a yellower skin.

Principal constituents: Methylanthranilate, limonene, geraniol, citrol, citronellol.

History

History and folk use:

Mandarins have been grown for many centuries in China. No-one is quite sure how the name was given to the fruit, though some think that the buttons on the hats of the mandarins at court, which the fruit resemble, inspired its use.

The relationship between tangerines and mandarins is also uncertain. Their oils have been used in cooking and in perfumery.

Properties & Uses

General properties:

Tonic, stomachic, slightly hypnotic, sedative, uplifting

Primary Uses:

Insomnia
Stress

Secondary Uses:

Anorexia,	Congestion,
Depression,	Flatulence,
Grief,	Heartburn,
Hiccups,	Indigestion,
Liver,	Lymphatic Shock,
Nervous Tension,	Obesity.

Contraindications

Do not use on skin before exposure to sunlight.