The aromatic oil of the sweet orange is expressed and used as an alternative medicine for conditions such as flatulence, colds and slow digestion. Scientific studies show that sweet orange oil may protect against certain health conditions, especially those caused by microbial infections. However, consult your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with sweet orange oil.
Anxiety
Aromatherapists use orange oil as a tranquilizer. Scientists have found evidence that sweet orange oil is an anxiolytic, or something that reduces anxiety-related symptoms. A study published in May 2010 in the journal "Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry" found that in a rat model, exposure to sweet orange oil for five minutes led to fewer anxiety-like behaviors in mice.
E. Coli
E. coli is a type of bacteria present in unpasteurized milk and juices as well as meats, fruits and vegetables. When these E. coli bacteria are eaten, this can lead to diarrhea and potentially kidney failure and death. Sweet orange oil was found to prevent the proliferation of E. coli in vitro in a study published in July 2009 in the "International Journal of Food and Science Technology."
Lung Cancer
There is some evidence that sweet orange oil may protect against lung cancer. A study published in March 2009 in the journal "Molecular Nutrition and & Food Research" concluded that polymethoxyflavones derived from sweet orange oil stopped the proliferation of human lung cancer cells in vitro. Polymethoxyflavones are compounds almost exclusively unique to the peels of the citrus genus, especially that in sweet oranges.
Salmonella
Sweet orange oil may have antimicrobial effects against some strains of salmonella. Salmonella can lead to infection of the gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Life-threatening complications can also occur with salmonella infections. A study published in August 2008 in the "Journal of Food Science" found that sweet orange oil helped to inhibit the spread of salmonella bacteria.
References
- "Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry"; Anxiolytic-Like Effect of Sweet Orange Aroma in Wistar Rats; Claudia Brito Faturi, et al.; May 2010
- "International Journal of Food Science & Technology"; Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil From the Peel of Bingtang Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis Osbeck); Neng-guo Tao, et al.; July 2009
- "Molecular Nutrition & Food Research"; Monodemethylated Polymethoxyflavones From Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis) Peel Inhibit Growth of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Apoptosis: Hang Xiao, et al.; March 2009
- "Journal of Food Science"; Orange Essential Oils Antimicrobial Activities Against Salmonella Spp.; C.A. O'Bryan, et al.; August 2008
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