Blood orange, scientific name Citrus sinensis, belongs to the family of Rutaceae. From the peel of the fruit an essential oil is extracted with calming and digestive properties and also able to treat skin problems such as acne. Since this essence is photosensitizing avoid, after its application, sun or sunlamps exposure. Let’s see the possible uses.
Anxiety, bad mood, nervousness
Scientific studies (Rashidi-Fakari et al, Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res, Nov 2015) have demonstrated that inhaling the aroma of blood orange essential oil is able to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and the heart rate, to improve mood and to give serenity. This action can be observed also in case of tension induced by external events, such as, for example, dental surgeries. The reduction of the levels of stress and anxiety has been evaluated from a scientific point of view. In fact, the salivary levels of cortisol, the hormone that the body produces in case of stress and anxiety, were measured in people waiting for a dental surgery. Well, inhaling blood orange essential oil reduced the levels of cortisol (Jafarzadeh et al, Adv Biomed Res, Mar 2013). You can diffuse the essential oil in the room with an oil burner, in this case you can pour a drop each square meter, or you can add it to a plant based oil for relaxing massages. In 100 ml of sweet almond oil you can add 5 drops of blood orange essential oil and massage on the body.
Acne, oily hair
Blood orange essential oil shows a powerful antibacterial and antifungal action. Moreover, it results useful also in case of acne. Indeed, a scientific study (Dosoki et al, Int J Mol Sci, Jul 2018) has observed that a combination between blood orange essential oil and basil is able to counteract and clear until 75% of the lesions. You can add 4-5 drops of blood orange essential oil to 50 ml of jojoba oil and apply in the evening as a serum. Blood orange essential oil is also helpful to balance the sebum production. So, in case of oily hair, add 2-3 drops of essential oil to two tablespoons of grapeseed oil and massage on the scalp, leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with your shampoo.
Digestive, carminative, flavoring
Blood orange essential oil is able to stimulate digestion, in addition to this it has also a carminative action able to counteract swollen belly and trapped wind. You can add a drop of essential oil to a liter of tea and drink. Finally, the blood orange essential oil may be used also to give flavor to sweets, yogurts or drinks.
