Orange

Orange Essential Oil in Chinese Medicine

Common Name: Sweet Orange Peel

Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis, C. aurantium

Pin Yin Name: Jú pí

Main Channels Activated by Orange Essential Oil:

Fire Element (Heart, Pericardium), Earth (Spleen, Stomach)

Learn How to Use Self-Acupressure Linked Here!

Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Heart 7
Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Pericardium 6

Benefits of Orange Essential Oils in Chinese Medicine

Sweet orange essential oil has a mild stimulating effect on the Liver and Gallbladder; it breaks up congested Liver Qi and stimulates the flow of bile. In this way, orange essential oil aids in the digestion of fats and combats gas and chronic constipation by encouraging the sequential steps leading to healthy digestion. Sweet orange essential oils balances Shen disorders and emotional issues such as nervous tension leading to anxiety. It also has anti-viral and antifungal constituents. Orange is prized for combating aging by soothing wrinkles and stretch marks while revitalizing washed-out dull skin

Properties: Pungent, sweet, neutral

Nature: Cheerful, joyous, courageous, fortunate, abundant, adaptable, optimistic, balanced, sympathetic, embracing, friendly, open, kind, radiant, outgoing, adaptable

Imbalances Treated with Orange Essential Oil in Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, each energetic organ system is assigned to one of the Five Elements. Each element has both physical and emotional symptoms that would indicate imbalances in one or more of the related organ systems. Learn more here!

Water Element Energetic Organ Systems: Kidney, Urinary Bladder

Nervous anxiety

Wood Element Energetic Organ Systems: Liver, Gallbladder

Liver Qi Stagnation
IBS
Tension headaches
Frustration
Migraines with nausea
Lack of motivation

Fire Element Energetic Organ Systems: Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, San Jiao

Insomnia
Moodiness
Palpitations
Emotional hurts to the Heart

Earth Element Energetic Organ Systems: Spleen, Stomach

Worry
OCD
Poor appetite
Nausea
Abdominal distention and pain
Weak-tired muscles

Metal Element Energetic Organ Systems: Lung, Large Intestine

Plant description: Small, evergreen fruiting tree originating is Asia, grown throughout the world in temperate and Mediterranean regions.

Part used: Ripened peel

(Flower: See neroli essential oil)

(Immature, un-ripened peel: see bitter orange essential oil)

Note: High note that disperses quickly without the addition of fixative-type essential oils

Safety and Contraindications

No known cumulative toxicity used topically with distilled orange oil
Dilute to 5-10% for therapeutic applications
Recommendations for topical use only
Pregnant or nursing women and children-infants should only use essential oils under the guidance of their local practitioner

References

Hu P.-H., Peng Y.-C., Lin Y.-T., Chang C.-S., Ou M.-C. Aromatherapy for reducing colonoscopy related procedural anxiety and physiological parameters: A randomized controlled study. Hepato-Gastroenterology. 2010;57(102-103):1082–1086. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Lehrner J, Marwinski G, Lehr S, Johren P, Deecke L. Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiol Behav. 2005;86:92–5.

Goes TC, Antunes FD, Alves PB, Teixeira-Silva F. Effect of sweet orange aroma on experimental anxiety in humans. J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Aug;18(8):798-804. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0551. Epub 2012 Jul 31. PMID: 22849536.

Komori T., Fujiwara R., Tanida M., Nomura J., Yokoyama M. M. Effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states. Neuroimmunomodulation. 1995;2(3):174–180. doi: 10.1159/000096889.

De Moraes Pultrini A., Almeida Galindo L., Costa M. Anxiolytic and sedative effects of extracts and essential oil from Citrus aurantium L. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2002;25(12):1629–1633. doi: 10.1248/bpb.25.1629.

Dosoky, N. S., & Setzer, W. N. (2018). Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(7), 1966. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071966

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.