What Are The Benefits Of Neroli Essential Oil?

Neroli essential oil is obtained from the flowers of the bitter orange tree through water distillation. Its citrus-like scent is comparable to bergamot, although it also possesses a spicy, floral quality. As such, neroli essential oil has been used in perfumery since the 17th century. It's a component of the classic Eau-de-Cologne. Since there are several health benefits associated with neroli, it is commonly used in aromatherapy and massage.

Sedative Action

Neroli oil is reputed to reduce anxiety, depression and stress when inhaled. Evidence to support these claims is largely anecdotal since these effects have not been studied in a clinical setting. However, researchers at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine wondered if a combination of soothing music and aromatherapy diffusers containing neroli essential oil would affect anxiety levels in the emergency pediatric emergency department waiting area of the hospital. After nearly a month and more than 1,000 patient surveys, the researchers noted a significant reduction in anxiety and stress in response to the music but virtually no difference between the aromatherapy-treated group and the control group. However, a review of 18 studies on the physiological effects of aromatherapy agents, such as neroli, concluded that scent indeed influences mood and behavior. These findings were reported by Brown University in the International Journal of Neuroscience in 2009.

Antimicrobial Properties

Neroli essential oil is considered antiseptic and antibacterial. This is likely due to the presence of camphene, linalool, limonene and alpha pinene.

Insect Repellent

Sesquiterpene and monoterpenoid alcohols--namely farnesol and geraniol--lend neroli essential oil the ability to repel insects, including mosquitoes. However, this essential oil is likely to attract honeybees since they manufacture geraniol from their scent glands as a pheromone to mark food sources and find their way back to the hive.

Anti-cancer Effects

An abstract published in the Jan. 28, 2010, issue of Cancer Letters asserts that farnesol effectively inhibits tumor growth and promotes apoptosis, or the death of cancer cells. In addition, these effects have been observed to occur in vitro, meaning outside the body in a culture dish. While the authors of the abstract note that farnesol derived from neroli oil counters a variety of cancer cell types, they point to the biochemical processes responsible for deterring lung cancer, in particular.

Carminative

Neroli essential oil is used in folk medicine to relieve gastrointestinal complaints. The oil is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat vomiting and anorexia. In addition, the oil is approved for use by the German Commission E, which produces monographs as guidelines for the administration of herbal medicines.