Updated 16 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Rutaceae
- Genus: Citrus
- Part used: Leaves
- Country of origin: Paraguay, Italy, Spain, Southern France
Precautions for use
Orange blossom essential oil can be used by the whole family, except for pregnant women under 3 months.
It has no particular contraindications, except that people with asthma should consult their doctor before using.
All forms of use are possible.
Other precautions
Allergenic components:
Orange blossom essential oil contains four biochemical allergenic components:
- linalool (18-32%)
- geraniol (≤ 4%)
- limonene (≤ 2%)
- citrals (geranial + neral) (≤ 0.5%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Risks of use
Properties
- Antispasmodic
- Relaxes and stimulates nervous system
- Healing, skin regeneration
- Anti-inflammatory
- Mild antibacterial
Indications
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
- Oily skin
- Uterine pain
- Aerophagia
- Abdominal swelling
- Flatulence
- Insomnia
- Sleep distrubances
- Acne
- Furuncle
- Excessive sweating
- Respiratory problems: asthma, spasmodic cough, chest tightness and difficulty breathing
- Muscle cramps of nervous origin
- Palpitations
- Arrhythmia
- Tachycardia
- Wounds
- Pressure Sore
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
- Tendonitis
- Spasms
Directions for use/usual dosage
- Breathing difficulties, nervousness: 1 to 2 drops on the inside of the wrists, under the soles of the feet and on the solar plexus.
- Heart problems: Apply morning and evening to the chest in synergy with other essential oils.
- Insomnia, depression, anxiety, grief, stress: diffuse in the air and/or in the bath, about ten drops diluted on a carrier in combination with other essential oils.
Cosmetic
- Regulates sebum secretion, useful in cases of oily skin or hair, acne, etc.
- Skin tonic, healing and cell tissue regenerator.
- Fights excessive sweating and cellulite.
- Can be used in perfumes or eau de toilette in combination with other essential oils.
Cooking
- Can be used in sweet and savoury dishes.
- Particularly appreciated for flavouring desserts such as waffles or pancakes, raw or cooked fruit and vegetable-based dishes, thanks to its original taste with a slight bitterness and a slightly floral and fruity flavour.
Interior use
- Atmospheric diffusion to calm tense environments
- On a piece of cotton wool placed in a wardrobe to perfume clothes
Find out more
Several parts of the Bitter Orange tree can be distilled to produce essential oils, each with a very different biochemical composition: Neroli (orange blossom) comes from the flowers of the plant, bitter orange oil from the peel and petitgrain EO from the leaves. For Citrus aurantium ssp aurantium leaves, the yield is around 0.7%, as 100 kg of distilled leaves yield 700 grams of essential oil.