COMMON NAME: Orange, Sweet

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantium var. sinensis, C. a. var. dulcis

FAMILY NAME: Rutaceae (Rue)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: China

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: USA, Israel, Cyprus, Brazil, Mediterranean Area

HISTORY INFORMATION: Used extensively in Chinese medicine for coughs, colds, flu, and malignancy. A symbol of innocence and fertility. Found its way to Europe by the 14th century possibly from the crusaders and later to the New World or the Americas by missionaries. This oil is said to be better for children as it is milder than the Bitter Orange.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The sweetest orange scent comes from the Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium). The sweet in Sweet orange refers to the juice of the orange which is the one we make into orange juice while the bitter orange juice is too bitter to drink, but it is made into marmalade. It is said that sweet orange increases bronchial secretion while bitter orange promotes expectoration. and both are stomachic and carminative. Here it seems the pressed oil is preferred because of no phototoxicity even with courmains present. It is more likely that the distilled sweet orange would cause phototoxicity?! If you weren't confused before, I bet you are now. I have never had a phototoxcity problem so I cannot report from my own findings just what I read in other references. Distilled oils often have antioxidants added to them to preserve their shelf life. The sweet orange flowers are used to make Neroli Portugal but it is not considered as good as the bitter orange neroli. Check your scientific names to make sure.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An evergreen tree growing to a height smaller than the bitter orange tree and it is less hardy and has no spines.

PARTS PROCESSED: Fresh ripe outer peel, byproducts of orange juice manufacturing (inferior)

PROCESSING METHODS: Cold pressed, steam distilled

COLOR RANGE: Yellow to orange

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Monoterpene. Mostly terpenes with some alcohols, coumarins and furocoumarins

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bactericidal, choleretic, fungicidal, nervous sedative, lymphatic stimulant, tonic (digestive). Used for dull and oily skin, mouth ulcers, wrinkles, softens thick chapped and fissured skin, bronchitis, chills, palpitations, colds, flu, constipation, dyspepsia, stress problems, and harmonizing the physical and mental bodies.

MENTAL USES: I may seem damaged in some way, but I will recover fully. Life is sweet and I am glad I am alive.

EMOTIONAL USES: Have been ill or recovering from long term illness and all the emotional baggage this carries with it, feeling abused or mistreated, feeling sorry for one's self, some sexual malfunctioning TO uplifted, soothed, sexually alive, life is more pleasant and sweet, take more regard for yourself, able to put yourself first

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate damage to the energy field because of radiation exposure, long term illness, or abusive treatment. There can also be a disassociation from the body and a definite disregard for the body or the physical. This can signal a disregard for self and that you put yourself last and not first. Sweet Orange heals energy field damage especially from radiation natural or man made. It can also release negative energy from the field so good to use this oil with spiritual guidance.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath (may need fixed oil), cooking, diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, massage, mist spray, perfume.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic, older oxidized oils can cause skin irritation, phototoxicity in distilled oil.