An Orange by Any Other Name
What comes to mind when you think of “orange”? Is it the colour, so aptly described by Frank Sinatra, as the happiest? Is it the fruit, bursting with juice and sweetness? How about a blossom with sweet orange aroma floating through the air? Or culinary delicacies using zest and juice? When I think about oranges, so many images come to mind. A bright colour worn to feel uplifting on a gloomy day, Christmas time with the mini oranges of mandarins, clementines, and tangerines and the orange blossom perfume my mom would wear.
Probably all, or some of the above would come to mind. What might not come to mind is that all these variations of the fruit orange can be used in aromatherapy.
In the world of Essential Oils, it is easy to be fooled into thinking that the oil you are purchasing is one thing when it is another. While all the orange oils are from the same plant family (Rutaceae), they may come from different parts of the orange tree or different orange trees altogether. Additionally, the valuable oils may be extracted by different methods. Other plants that would be included in the Rutacea family are citrus plants of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, and Bergamot. One reason why botanical names matter is they help us ensure the Essential Oil we are selecting offers us the properties we are seeking.
Before I discuss some of the amazing properties of these orange essential oils, this quick explanation shows us how botanical names are determined.
A) Scientific naming follows a global standardized system called ‘binomial nomenclature’
B) Binomial nomenclature means ‘two-name system’ consisting of ‘Genus’ and ‘Species’
C) Genus = a larger family group, grouping plants together with similar characteristics
D) Species = an individual species within the genus, giving it a unique identity
E) Some plants may have one or more botanical name often due to botanist’s advancing research or a need to reclassify a name
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) is likely the essential oil most are familiar with and would gravitate towards. A cheerful, optimistic oil, it soothes children’s fears and nighttime worries. Its sedative properties can improve sleep patterns and ease anxiety. Oil is cold pressed using the peel of the fruit providing antifungal, antibacterial properties and more!
Neroli (Citrus x aurantium var. amara), is one of the more expensive essential oils and is subject to frequent adulteration to keep costs down. Blossoms are hand picked (to avoid bruising the flowers) from the bitter orange tree and steam distilled. It takes about 1,000 pounds of blossoms to yield 1 pound of essential oil which is why it is one of the most precious of oils. Antimicrobial, spasmolytic, and skin regeneration are just a few of the properties of Neroli.
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) a specific type of mandarin, tangerine oil is cold pressed through its peel. Sweet and tangy, it refreshes your mood during diffusing, and suitable for use in candles and soaps.
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata, or Citrus nobilis) is sourced through cold expression of the fruit peel and has antiviral, antiseptic properties and more. It is great for oily skin and helpful for increasing energy.
Bitter Orange (Citrus x aurantium or Citrus vulgaris or Citrus bigaradia) astringent and bactericidal properties make this oil, sourced from the Seville orange tree fruit peel, useful to treat physical issues as well as feeling connected and self-confident, emotionally.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium subsp.amara or Citrus bigaradia) is sourced from the leaves of the bitter orange tree, and steam distilled. A balancing of mind, body or soul can be achieved using petitgrain, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties are also in this oil
Clementine (Citrus clementina) from fruit trees grown in the USA, and a specific type of mandarin this oil expressed through the peel, is beneficial used in natural cleaning products due to its high limonene content. Use it as a mood booster, and respiratory issues from colds and allergies.
While there are differences between these essential oils, many times you can substitute one for the other, depending on treatment requirements. A good example of this is promoting calmness through sedative properties. All the oils mentioned are sedative in nature thus allowing the aromatherapist and client to choose based on scent preference, availability of resources, and cost.
Additionally, other essential oils, outside of these orange oils, can be substituted for specific issues. Neroli can aid in relieving in reducing body spasms (spasmolytic) but with the higher price point of the oil, Galbanum (an essential oil from the Umbelliferae family) also has spasmolytic properties and could be substituted, as needed.
Many citrus oils, (e.g. Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime), especially those cold pressed through the peel, can cause photosensitivity or become phototoxic if used above the range specified. Natural chemicals found in specific essential oils, particularly furocoumarins (FCs), react when exposed to ultraviolet light. Like sunburns, it can cause blistering, inflammation, burning and reddening of the skin. *Bitter Orange is considered phototoxic so avoid UV light 12 -18 hours after using on skin. Sweet Orange, Petitgrain, Neroli and Tangerine are not considered phototoxic but old or oxidized oils (degraded by exposure to oxygen, light, heat), should be discarded to avoid skin sensitization.
There is a lot of information about using orange as an essential oil. A certified aromatherapist can help you discover the oil that both appeals to your senses and can treat your issue at hand.
Join me next time as I share about “Basil – Do I Eat It or Wear It?”
Until then, be well, be beautiful.
Elaine
*Source Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 85, 87, 370-371.