The 7 little-known benefits of breathing orange essential oil and where to find it

Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses essential oils and natural aromas to promote health and well-being. It is based on the idea that the aromas of essential oils They can have a positive impact on the mind and body and are used for therapeutic and relaxing purposes.

One of the most used is orange essential oil, which is a highly concentrated liquid extracted from the peel of sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis ). Extraction is generally done by cold pressing or steam distillation of ripe orange peels.

The sweet, lemony aroma that It smells exactly like a freshly peeled orange. It is known for its many health benefits due to its natural properties, from improving mood to helping with weight loss.

“In my practice, I have witnessed the transformative power of this aromatic remedy,” he told the site. A first for women Lulu Shimek, naturopathic doctor at the Kale Diagnostics clinic in the United States, a center specializing in holistic medicine.

Just inhaling this aroma invigorates a person. A study published in the magazine Frontiers of neuroscience by UC Irvine researchers found that people who inhaled the aroma of a blend of six essential oils, including orange essential oil, They improved cognitive performance by 226%.

But orange essential oil is quite powerful on its own. Discover 7 benefits it brings below.

A study published in the magazine Advanced biomedical research found that the smell of orange essential oil significantly reduced cortisol levels associated with anxiety and stress in children. The research looked at patients undergoing a simple dental procedure and found that those in The group that received orange aromatherapy reduced their cortisol levels by 84% and saw an 82% drop in their pulse rate.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that performs various functions in the body and plays a key role in the stress response. Regulates metabolism, the immune system and the circadian cycle. The reason whyOne advantage of cortisol levels being low under normal circumstances is that chronic excess cortisol, such as in chronic stress, can have negative health effects.

“Orange essential oil is a natural, fragrant antidote to anxiety, providing a sense of calm on even the most stressful days,” said Dr. Shimek.

Orange oil has a high content of limonene a natural chemical compound found in a variety of plants and fruits and known for its characteristic citrus aroma and, according to Shimek, has shown promise in relieving symptoms of anxiety and stress.

When cortisol levels remain high, especially due to chronic stress, it can affect appetite and increase cravings for sugar and high-calorie foods. This is due to a series of physiological processes that occur in the body in response to stress and high cortisol levels.

A study from Yale University discovered that People with high cortisol levels experienced stronger cravings for sweets and even gained 89% more weight over a six-month period. compared to their counterparts with lower cortisol levels.

This is the same reason why the previous study found that simply breathing orange essential oil reduced cortisol levels by 84%, This suggests that it also reduces sugar and carb cravings.

The effect of orange oil on the nervous system It reduces the sensation of pain, or even disappears completely when used in specific formulations.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Palliative Care suggests that the aroma of orange essential oil may reduce pain. In their study, patients who presented to the emergency room with bone fractures and Those who placed a pad with four drops of oil on their neck experienced significantly lower pain levels. to those of the other patients to whom the oil was not administered.

Additionally, it is sometimes used in massage to relieve muscle pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

The citrus aroma of orange oil is thought to have properties that may improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found this Inhaling the aroma of orange essential oil significantly reduced signs of depression in subjects in addition to adjusting the levels of brain hormones that play a key role in mood and depression.

“Orange essential oil contains compounds that have a stimulating and mood-enhancing effect on the body and has been shown to help reset something in the body called the HPA axis, which refers to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, as well as the adrenal glands in the abdomen,” natural health expert Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM, creator of The essential oil healing deck.

Orange oil is traditionally used to help relieve digestive problems such as indigestion and gas. It has a diuretic and purifying effect that helps activate the digestive system to eliminate toxins from the body.

If you suffer from indigestion, inhaling the aroma of orange may help relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract which can relieve the symptoms of this discomfort and reduce the feeling of swelling.

In some traditional cultures, Orange essential oil has been used to relieve intestinal spasms and cramps which may help reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.

In addition, its fresh and lemony aroma was used to help relieve nausea and vomiting, especially in cases of motion sickness or pregnancy.

A magazine study Molecules says that the 26 aromatic compounds in orange oil stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which generates a burst of energy, in addition to increasing the combustion of glucose and fat in muscle tissues, thus doubling energy and resistance for almost two hours per inhalation.

Plus, you can benefit from it even if you don’t have a bottle of oil on hand, just snack on a few orange slices or drink orange juice.

Animal research suggests that ingesting orange essential oil may be a smart strategy for people trying to lose weight. In one study published in the magazine Biosciences, biotechnology and biochemistry, Overweight mice who received an orange essential oil capsule for 15 days gained 41% less weight than those who did not receive the capsule. Additionally, they experienced significant changes in liver and adipose tissue composition. Researchers explain that orange essential oil affects the levels of proteins, hormones and hormone receptors in the body that improve the ability to lose weight.

These days it’s easy to find essential products modified or diluted to make them cheaper, but don’t be fooled, It is important to use a concentrated oil essence to achieve the benefits mentioned.

The price of orange essences is between 15,000 and 20,000 pesos, but don’t worry, since it is concentrated it lasts a long time, about two to three drops are enough. You can find it on sites like Free market or in health food or holistic medicine stores.

One way to inhale the scent is to add a few drops of orange essential oil to a diffuser and spray the scent around the room. Although you can simply open the bottle and smell it several times, Experts agree that pouring it into a diffuser ensures you’ll be exposed to the aroma for longer.

Another way to use the essence is to apply it topically. To do this, mix one to three drops of orange oil with half a teaspoon of carrier oil such as coconut oil or mineral oil and rub it into your skin .