Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Sweet orange

4.8 - 873 reviews
Calming Sweet Orange essential oil provides real well-being and soothes tension. Thanks to its rebalancing qualities, Sweet Orange essential oil promotes a good mood and optimism. When diffused, Sweet Orange essential oil helps to combat sleep disorders. With its sweet, fruity scent, Sweet Orange essential oil blends subtly with many oils, particularly woody and spicy ones.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Suitable

  • Food use

    Food use

    Suitable

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Cold pressed

Part of the plant used

Fruit pericarp (zest)

Botanical name

Citrus sinensis

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

  • Baron H. and Chagnoux T. (2006) Natural cosmetics - Tips and recipes for maintaining your health on a daily basis. Editions Sully

  • Baudoux D. (2002) Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils. Amyris Publishing.

  • Cox J. (2002) Natural Beauty at Home. Second Editions

  • Festy D. (2008) My Essential Oil Bible. Editions Leduc. S

  • Grosjean N. (1993) Aromatherapy. Health and well-being through essential oils. Albin Michel Publishing.

  • Hampikian S. (2007) Create Your Own Organic Cosmetics. Published by Terre Vivante

  • Pataud A. (2004) Cooking with essential oils. Healthy and creative recipes. Editions Ambre.

  • Purchon N. (2001) The Aromatherapy Bible. Marabout Publishing.

  • Stiens R. (2007) The best natural beauty recipes. Published by Leduc. S

  • Telphon T. (2003) ABC of Essential Oils. Editions Grancher.

Properties

Sweet Orange essential oil is traditionally used for: Stress

Health

Beauty

Wellness

Kitchen

Find out more

Properties

In terms of health, sweet orange essential oil is renowned for the following benefits:

  • Air purifying

  • Supports digestion, relieves gas

  • Improves digestive health

Uses

In addition to treatments, it is traditionally used in the following cases:

  • Atmospheric purification

  • Digestive disorders

Synergies

  • Diffusion for air purification: Pine, Cedar, Narrow-Leaved Eucalyptus essential oils

  • Digestive health: Tropical Basil, Tarragon, Cumin, Ginger essential oils

In practice

Air purification: diffuse into the air, possibly mixed with other essential oils.

Precautions

  • This oil is photosensitising. Do not expose yourself to the sun for at least 6 hours after a cutaneous application of this oil.

  • Do not use during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

  • May be irritating to the skin (dermocaustic): always dilute well in a carrier oil for cutaneous use.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy in certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (according to the 7th Amendment of the European Directive on cosmetic products (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool, citral (geranial and neral).

  • As a general rule, always test-apply your mixture in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.


For use as a cosmetic ingredient, please refer to the specific precautions.


Find out more

The fruit of Citrus sinensis is known as Sweet Orange to distinguish it from the Bitter Orange, the fruit of Citrus Aurantium (Seville Orange). Originally from China, Citrus sinensis was brought to Europe by Portuguese sailors in the 16th century.

Orange essence is found in small reservoirs in the orange skin and is extracted by simple expression (cold pressing). The oils of citrus fruits are therefore referred to as "essences" , to distinguish them from "essential oils" extracted by steam distillation. However, for the sake of simplicity, we often use the term "essential oil" interchangeably with essence.

The purifying and fragrant properties of this essence have been used for a very long time; clove-studded oranges ("pomanders") were traditionally used to keep moths out of cupboards and to perfume and decorate homes before Christmas. This oil also has an ancient reputation for its relaxing and optimising properties and its soft, sweet scent. It is one of the most widely used essential oils in aromatherapy.

Great in the diffuser.

F
Fabiana

Soothing scent

A
A

Good

M
M

It pleasantly scents my bedroom atmosphere before bedtime.

C
Christiane

Smells great. I use it in my homemade laundry detergent.

E
Elodie

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier Oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Raspberry sorbet with citrus and star anise (A. Pataud)

Kitchen

Serves 6 - Preparation: 20 minutes - Cooking time: 6 minutes.

  • 500 g of raspberries

  • 3 oranges

  • 175 g of caster sugar

  • 100 ml of water

  • 1 drop of Mandarin essential oil (Citrus reticulata)

  • 2 drops of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

  • 1 drop of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil

  • 1 or 2 drops of Star Anise (Illicium verum) essential oil to taste.

Directions: Wash the raspberries and blend in a food processor. Peel the oranges, reserve the peel and squeeze the juice. Dissolve the sugar in the water and bring to the boil for 3 minutes. Add the peel and boil for 3 minutes, uncovered, over a very high heat. Add the essential oils. Remove the peel and set aside. Leave the syrup to cool, then add the orange juice and raspberry pulp. Freeze in an ice-cream maker.

Flavoured desserts (N. Grosjean)

Kitchen

  • 3 to 5 drops of Orange essential oil

Use: Add to custards, desserts and pastries.

Green tomato jam with two oranges (A. Pataud)

Kitchen

For 10 250 g jars - Preparation: 30 minutes - Cooking time: 1 hour.

  • 4 kg of sugar

  • 4 kg of green tomatoes

  • 1 kg of apples

  • 2 lemons

  • 2 drops of Seville or Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium var. amara) essential oil

  • 1 drop of Lemon (Citrus limomum) essential oil

  • 2 drops of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Directions: Wash the tomatoes, dry them and cut them into quarters. Put them in a pot with the same weight of sugar and the juice of the lemons. Leave to simmer until the juice is reduced and the jam begins to thicken. Add the peeled and sliced apples and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the essential oils. Pour into jars and cover.

Citrus gingerbread (A. Pataud)

Kitchen

Serves 8 - Preparation: 20 minutes - Cooking time: 50 minutes.

  • 300 g of acacia honey

  • 250 g of wholemeal flour

  • 50 g of almond powder

  • 100 ml lotion

  • 1 egg

  • 20 g of butter for the tin

  • 1 sachet of baking powder

  • 1 drop of ginger (Zingiber officinalis) essential oil

  • 1 drop of Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) essential oil

  • 1 drop of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil

  • 1 drop of Anise (Pimpinella anisum) essential oil

  • 1 drop of Lemon (Citrus limomum) essential oil

  • 2 drops of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

  • 1 drop of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil

Directions: Preheat the oven to 170 °C (gas mark 5–6). Gently heat the lotion and acacia honey, then remove from the heat as soon as it comes to a boil. Mix the flour and baking powder in a bowl. Then add the almond powder. Mix well and make a well. Gradually pour in the lotion and acacia honey mixed with the essential oils, stirring constantly with a spoon. Finish by adding the egg. Grease the tin, pour in the batter and bake for around 50 minutes.

Tahitian-style fish with three citrus fruits (A. Pataud)

Kitchen

Serves 6 - Preparation: 15 minutes - Marination: 2 to 3 hours.

  • 700 g of fresh tuna

  • 6 limes

  • 300 ml of coconut lotion

  • Fleur de sel

  • Black pepper

  • 1 drop of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil

  • 2 drops of Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Directions: Mix the coconut lotion and essential oils in a bowl. Cut the fish into thin slices. Place in a bowl, season with salt and cover with lime juice. The fish is ready to eat after 2 to 3 hours, when the lime has cured it completely.

Discard the juice and season with the flavoured coconut lotion. Add a little fleur de sel and pepper. Serve chilled.

Citrus syrup (A. Pataud)

Kitchen

  • Lemon (Citrus limomum) essential oil: 2 drops

  • Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil: 1 drop

  • Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil: 1 drop

Directions: Mix with 200 ml of syrup.

Use: Drizzle over your cakes: you'll be amazed at the results.

Citrus oils (A. Pataud)

Kitchen

  • Lemon (Citrus limomum) essential oil: 2 drops

  • Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil: 2 drops

  • Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil: 1 drop

Directions: Add to 60 ml of Rapeseed oil.