Product name:
Tea ree essential oil isolated from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia. For the sweet seasoning oil pressed from Camellia seeds, C. sinensis or C. oleifera, see tea seed oil.Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil or ti tree oil, is an essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor and a colour that ranges from pale yellow to nearly colourless and clear. It is from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, native to Southeast Queensland and the Northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia.
What is it most commonly used for?
Orange essential oil has a variety of uses. These can include applications to:
- lift your mood or reduce stress
- treat skin conditions such as acne
- reduce pain or inflammation
- relieve stomach upset
- use as a natural household cleaner
- add a pleasant scent to a room or to products like perfumes and cleaners
- give flavor to a variety of foods and beverages
Although orange essential oil has many uses, it's important to remember that many of them are supported through anecdotal evidence. This means that the benefits are related to personal experience instead of being backed by scientific research.
10 orange essential oil benefits
Here are the 10 top ways orange essential oil may benefit your overall health.
- May improve the appearance of skin. Orange essential oil can help give your skin a glow up. Its antimicrobial properties might reduce your risk acne when applied topically. Some folks also claim it can help unclog pores and reduce inflammation, but we need more research to prove this.
- Might promote healthy hair. Orange essential oil can provide some zesty TLC to hair, too! It's a rich source of natural antioxidants which may promote hair health. Some folks also think it can ward away lice and might help dandruff flake off, but there's not enough research to back this up.
- Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy can be relaxing AF. It might help reduce anxiety and enhance your mood. Research also suggests some scents can help improve sleep quality. Just keep in mind, we need more studies on orange essential oil to show how well it works on its own.
- Antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies show orange essential oil has some pretty dope antibacterial and antifungal properties. That means it can be used to stop the growth of certain types of bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A 2016 study also found it may help preserve food, cosmetics, and medications.
- Eases anxiety. A 2018 review of nine clinical studies found that inhalation or ingestion of certain kinds of orange essential oil reduced anxiety. Another study on mice found that the limonene - a compound found in the oil of citrus fruit peels - had an antidepressant effect. But we def need more research to prove these perks.
- Pain relief. A 2014 study found that orange essential oil aromatherapy helped ease labor pain But again, we need more research.
- Anticancer and antioxidant properties. According to a 2021 study, orange essential oil contains antioxidants that can combat disease-causing free radicals in your body. So in theory, orange essential oil might help slow or destroy certain cancer cells. But a lot more studies are needed to prove if this is legit.
- May boost athletic performance. Several animal and human studies show that aromatherapy with orange essential oil can boost positivity during exercise. It may also help reduce fatigue and improve post-workout recovery.
- Promotes weight loss. A pair of recent animal studies examined the effect of orange essential oil microcapsules on rats fed a high fat diet. In the first study, the oil cut weight gain by over 41 percent. And in the other study, orange essential oil protected the gut lining and reduced gut toxins which slashed inflammation and led to weight loss. But we need way more studies on humans. DO NOT ingest orange essential oil!
- Bug repellent. Studies show orange essential oil can help ward away ants, mosquitos, and bed bugs. You can just dab some on your body or use it in a candle diffuser to get pests to buzz off.