Orange Oil Ingredients

Orange oil has a distinct and familiar citrus aroma. The deep yellow essential oil from the orange's peel also has a number of properties and uses that can be beneficial. You can use orange oil's antiseptic properties to help fight bacteria in your home. Aromatherapists use orange oil to help relieve stress and tension. Everything about orange oil comes from the chemical compounds that make it up. Consult a doctor or certified aromatherapist before using orange oil.

Limonene

While some essential oils contain a fairly even mix of different compounds, that is not the case with orange oil. In her book "The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils," E. Joy Bowles notes that orange oil consists of almost 90 percent limonene, making it by far the most significant component.
Limonene is a terpene and has antiviral properties. There are two subgroups of terpenes: monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Limonene is a monoterpene. Monoterpenes dissolve in both other oils and ethanol. They are also fairly volatile. They evaporate easily, which is one reason orange oil has such a noticeable aroma.

Bergaptene

Though bergaptene is present in very small amounts, it causes one of orange oil's negative side effects. Some essential oils, mostly citrus oils, cause phototoxicity--they make sunburn more likely. This effect comes from coumarins, a group of chemical compounds that includes bergaptene. Bergaptene neutralizes your body's natural defense to UV light, which increases the damage from normal sun exposure. If you use orange oil on your skin, limit or avoid sun exposure.

Myrcene

Myrcene is also a monoterpene. Myrcene makes up just less than 2 percent of orange oil, which actually makes it the largest component after limonene. Because they are both monoterpenes, myrcene and limonene share the same chemical properties.