Orange essential oil is relatively common — which means it is easy to find and very affordable. That’s a good thing, because orange essential oil is also very useful for a lot of different things!
The orange tree is native to Asia, and was brought to the rest of the world by travelers and explorers. Orange trees can be found in groves around the world, including Israel, Spain, and the United States. Most of the world’s orange essential oil is produced in France, Italy, Israel, Cyprus, and the United States.
The essential oil is cold pressed from the peel of the orange. In other words, machines squeeze the essential oil out of the rind! It is very easy to get essential oils from citrus fruits; just press the peel and you’ll see for yourself. Expressed essential oils have a relatively short shelf life — six months or so.
Citrus essential oils like orange, lemon, and lime, are antiseptic and antibacterial. Lemon is the strongest antiseptic of the bunch, but orange essential oil is still useful in combating colds and flu. Citrus scents are also energizing and uplifting — the scent of oranges may help cheer you up when you are feeling tired and down.
A massage oil that includes orange essential oil can help relieve indigestion. Many food smells (including kitchen herbs) can ease an upset stomach because they encourage the creation of saliva that can aid digestion.
Remember to only use essential oils when they are diluted — either in water, a carrier oil, or a lotion or cream. Orange essential oil is slightly photosensitizing (it can make your skin more likely to burn in the sun). This and other citrus essential oils can be irritating to sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, are pregnant, or are preparing aromatherapy for a very young child, you may want to use a milder citrus, like mandarin orange or tangerine essential oil.