Orange Essence

Description

ORANGE (Citrus aurantium sinensis)

Family: Rutaceae

Source: The Essential oil is obtained from the peel.

Fragrance: Orangey, sweet, warm

Volatility: Top note?

General description and habitat:

The sweet orange tree can grow up to a height of 30 feet; with large, dark, glossy-green leaves; white flowers; in tropical areas the fruit is green when ripe but in sub-tropical and temperate areas they go orange.

Principal constituents:

Limonene, citral, linalyl acetate, citronelle, geraniol, linalool, terpinol.

History

History and folk use:

The Arabs introduced the orange to the Mediterranean in about the first century but the Moors cultivated large parts of southern Spain, including Seville.

The Romans used orange-flower water to counteract hangovers or indigestion.

They were introduced into Britain in around 1290 and taken to the New World by Christopher Columbus.

The Arabs were the first to be recorded as recognizing the therapeutic value of oranges but not in France until the sixteenth century. By the eighteenth century they were regarded as healer of a variety of complaints.

Properties & Uses

General properties: Antispasmodic, stomachic, digestive, sedative, immune system

Primary Uses:

Eczema	Mouth infections
Rejuvenation	Wrinkles

Secondary Uses:

Bronchitis,	Colds,
Colic,	Constipation,
Depression,	Edema,
Fatigue,	Gingivitis,
Insomnia,	Menopause,
Motion Sickness,	Mouth Ulcers,
Palpitations,	PMS,
Stress,	Water Retention.

Contraindications

May cause irritation or browning of the skin after use so use in low concentrations.

Goes off easily, so always buy small quantities.