What Is Sweet Orange Oil Used For?

Aromatherapists and herbalists often treat physical and mental ailments with essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated extracts that are obtained from leaves, flowers, roots or seeds of certain plants. Sweet orange essential oil is frequently used to alleviate a wide range of mental and physical conditions.

About Sweet Orange Oil

Sweet orange oil is one of the most frequently used essential oils in aromatherapy and is among the most commonly manufactured essential oils, according to authors Stefan Berger and Dieter Sicker in their book, "Classics in Spectroscopy: Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Natural Products." The essential oil is cold pressed from the peel of the fruit of the citrus sinensis tree. It has a soothing, uplifting, cheery and citrus aroma that makes it ideal for use in a number of aromatherapy preparations, such as bath oils, perfumes, homemade soaps and massage oil.

Mental Benefits

Some alternative healers use sweet orange oil to correct energy imbalances in your chakras. Chakras are thought to be the energy centers of your body that connect your physical and spiritual body. In her book, "Vibrational Healing," massage therapist Deborah Eidson suggests that rubbing sweet orange oil on your solar plexus can help restore lowered energy levels. Additionally, aromatherapists often recommend inhaling sweet orange oil to alleviate depression, stress and anxiety. The results of a study published in 2003 in the "WOCMAP Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Volume 5: Quality, Efficacy, Safety, Processing and Trade in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants" showed that inhaling sweet orange oil may have benefits for increasing mental alertness and reducing the symptoms of mild depression and stress.

Physical Benefits

Sweet orange oil is used to treat many physical ailments, although there is not much scientific evidence to validate its effectiveness. According to author Maria Lis-Balchin in her book, "Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals," sweet orange oil may provide benefits for skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, and respiratory ailments, such as bronchitis, colds and the flu. Sweet orange oil may also have antimicrobial benefits. A study published in 2004 in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" showed that sweet orange oil had a bactericidal effect on certain pathogens.

Considerations

Sweet orange oil should always be diluted before application to the skin. Although sweet orange oil is generally considered safe for use by most people, those with allergies and pregnant or nursing women should avoid the use of all essential oils, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consult your doctor before using sweet orange oil if you have a medical condition or use over-the-counter or prescription medication.