There are quite a few essential oils used in “aromatherapy” that are renowned for their fragrance. One such oil is “Neroli” which is extracted from flowers of the “bitter orange tree”. Now, this oil apart from its “aroma” is also renowned for its beneficial medicinal properties. So, here is presenting a few essential facts about this oil that one needs to understand before applying it.
a. The origins of “Neroli Oil” and the extraction process used:
The oil is basically extracted from the flowers of a tree belonging to the “Citrus aurantium” species in the plant kingdom. Furthermore, this oil is derived using the process of “steam distillation”.
b. The availability of the “Neroli Oil”, and the precaution needed to be taken while extracting it:
The “bitter orange tree” from which this oil is extracted can be mainly found on the eastern coast of Africa and in tropical Asia. In addition, it can also be found in the Mediterranean regions as well as in places such as Florida and California in the United States of America.
The tree from which this oil is derived usually blooms in May, and is capable of producing about 60 pound of fresh flowers. In terms of extracting the oil from the flower of the tree, timing plays an important role. And so, as soon as the flowers are plucked from the tree the oil must be obtained so as to avoid a loss of potency. Furthermore, in order to derive good quality oil, the fruit used must be handpicked without it being damaged.
c. The chemical components of the “Neroli Oil”:
Similar to several other essential oils, Neroli also comprises of a number of organic compounds that includes linalool (28.5 percent), linalyl acetate (19.6 percent), nerolidol (9.1 percent), E-farnesol (9.1 percent), α-terpineol (4.9 percent) and limonene (4.6 percent).
d. The major benefits of using “Neroli Oil”:
In “aromatherapy” most of the essential oils when used provides for a number health related benefits. And so there are a number of benefits to health that one can acquire by using “Neroli Oil” too. They are as follows:
- Suppression of Inflammation and Pain:
According to a scientific report published in the “Journal of Natural Medicines” this oil comprises of organic compounds that possess properties that enable the suppression of inflammation and pain. Furthermore, the study also found that this oil when used was capable of reducing central and peripheral sensitivity.
- Reduction of Menopausal stress and symptoms:
When inhaled this oil helps in reducing “menopausal” symptoms in women who in terms of age are in their 40’s/50’s. In addition, it also helps in increasing sexual desire, reducing stress, and reducing blood pressure in women experiencing the “postmenopausal” stage.
- Reduction of cortisol release and blood pressure:
This oil when used helps in reducing the release of the hormone known as “cortisol”, which leads to decrease in blood pressure, and thereby helps in reducing stress within an individual.
- Antimicrobial and Antioxidant properties exhibition:
This oil when used exhibits “antimicrobial and antioxidant” properties, and thereby helps by destroying disease causing microorganisms as well as it inhibits the process of oxidation by neutralizing harmful free radicals.
- Serves as an “anti-aging” agent:
When used this oil acts at the cellular level on the skin, and thereby helps suppressing wrinkles.
- Serves as an “anti-seizure and anti-convulsant agent”:
This oil when used helps in suppressing “seizures and convulsions” and thereby serves as an anti-convulsant and anti-seizure agent.
e. The “Neroli Essential Oil” Recipe:
This essential oil can blend well with several others such as chamomile, clary sage, coriander, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, mandarin, myrrh, orange, palmarosa, petitgrain, rose, and sandalwood. Now, this oil when mixed with water also blends well and produces a body/ room spray. The recipe for a homemade “Neroli” body and room spray is as follows:
- Ingredients: Includes 0.5 cup distilled water and 25 drops of Neroli Oil.
- Method of Preparation:
- Mix the oil along with the 0.5 cup water
- Shake vigorously
f. The possible “adverse reactions” of Neroli Oil:
Like most essential oils, “Neroli” too comprises of a few adverse effects which are as follows:
- This oil when used can cause skin irritation especially in individuals having sensitive skin, and hence must be used with care.
- This oil usage could also lead to lack of concentration in an individual, and hence must be used carefully.
- The use of this oil could lead to excessive sleepiness due to its sedative nature, and hence must be handled with care.
In conclusion, it would be safe to say that “Neroli” oil is aromatic in nature, and exhibits useful medicinal properties such as “antioxidation and antimicrobial” when used.
