Orange oil comes from the fruit of the Citrus sinensis orange plant. Sometimes also called “sweet orange oil,” it’s derived from the outer peel of the common orange fruit, which has been highly sought after for centuries because of its immune-boosting effects.
Most people have come into contact with small amounts of orange oil when peeling or zesting an orange. If you’re unfamiliar with various essential oil uses and benefits, you might be surprised to learn just how many different common products they’re used in.
Orange oil is often used in green pesticides for pest control as well. It’s especially known for naturally killing ants and also for getting rid of their scent pheromone trails and help prevent reinfestation.
In your home, you likely have some furniture spray and kitchen or bathroom cleaners that also contain orange essential oil. The oil is also commonly used as an approved flavor enhancer in drinks, such as fruit juices or sodas, although there’s much more natural ways to obtain its benefits.
Orange Oil Benefits
1. Immunity Enhancer
Limonene, which is a monocyclic monoterpene that’s present in orange peel oil, is a powerful defender against oxidative stress that can negatively affect our immune systems.
Orange oil may even have cancer-fighting abilities, since monoterpenes have been shown to be very effective chemo-preventive agents against tumor growth in rats.
2. Natural Antibacterial
Essential oils made from citrus fruits offer the potential for all-natural antimicrobials for use in improving the safety of foods. Orange oil was found to prevent the proliferation of E. coli bacteria in one 2009 study published in the International Journal of Food and Science Technology. E. coli, a dangerous type of bacteria present in contaminated foods like some vegetables and meat, can cause serious reactions when it’s ingested, including kidney failure and possible death.
Another 2008 study published in the Journal of Food Science found that orange oil can inhibit the spread of salmonella bacteria since it contains powerful antimicrobial compounds, especially terpenes. Salmonella is capable of causing gastrointestinal reactions, fever and serious side effects when food becomes unknowingly contaminated and consumed.
3. Kitchen Cleaner and Ant Repellant
Orange oil has a natural fresh, sweet, citrus smell that will fill your kitchen with a clean scent. At the same time, when diluted it’s a great way to clean countertops, cutting boards or appliances without needing to use bleach or harsh chemicals found in most products.
Add a few drops to a spray bottle along with other cleansing oils like bergamot oil and water to create your own orange oil cleaner. You can also use orange oil for ants, as this DIY cleaner is also a great natural ant repellant.
Post time: May-16-2024