Tangerine essential oil (Citrus reticulata) is cold-pressed from the rind of the fruit. Its aroma is very citrusy (duh) and sweet. It’s a lesser used oil, so I feel it’s benefits are still being discovered, but a look at its popular properties can give us some clues.
Contents
Uses
Tangerine oil is known for its anti-fungal and antiseptic properties, making it a popular ingredient of skin care formulas. It’s a great remedy for acne and skin impurities. Tangerine essential oil also works for hair because of its antiseptic properties, and helps treat dandruff, dry scalp, and other hair infections.
It also has cytophylactic properties and aids in restoring damaged tissues in the body. It helps reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
Because of its zesty aroma, tangerine oil is also used in lotions and perfumes.
Benefits
Antiseptic: Staphylococcus Aureus is the species of bacteria which is responsible for this dreaded infection called sepsis. Sepsis is a really bad condition. It is not only limited to mere swelling and reddening of wounds, but also with acute pain. If not curbed, it can quickly spread to the other parts of the body and affects them as well, even if there are no wounds there. It causes acute pain, immobility and hardening of joints, as well as acute contraction and cramps in muscles, swelling, redness, fever and convulsions. It also readily attacks new born babies, since their skin is overly vulnerable to infections. It also attacks them when they are separated from their mother’s body by cutting the umbilical cord. The essential oil of tangerine contains certain components which kill these bacteria and stops it from spreading, thereby helping cure sepsis. It can be externally applied on open wounds, as well as taken orally to create a uniform effect on the whole body.
Cytophylactic: Certain components of this oil stimulate the generation of new cells, or more precisely, cell division, and recycling of the cellular material in the body. This does not only promote general growth within the body, but also helps heal or repair the regular wear and tear and outstanding damage done to the body.
Depurative: An agent that purifies the blood is called a depurative. Tangerine essential oil is considered a powerful depurative. It helps in the excretion or removal of toxic and unwanted substances such as uric acid, pollutants, extra salt and water from the body through sweat, urine and the excretory process, as well as increases the oxygen-retaining capacity of the erythrocytes (red blood cells), thereby refreshing and purifying the blood.
Sedative: The essential oil of tangerine soothes the body. It soothes all types of inflammation and hyperactivity in the organ systems functioning in the body, namely the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, and excretory systems. It sedates inflammation from fever, intrusion of poisonous substances in the blood stream from external sources, convulsions, anxiety, stress, and hypersensitivity of allergies. It also sedates depression, anger and impulsive responses.
Stomachic: As a stomachic, the essential oil of tangerine keeps your stomach in good condition by maintaining the proper flow of digestive juices and maintains the right balance between the acid and bile so that excess acids are neutralized. This also cures wounds, if any, in the stomach. It soothes the stomach and gives relief from inflammation. One thing must be understood; if someone wants to have a healthy and attractive physique, then he must keep his stomach finely tuned, precisely what this oil does. It helps your stomach continue to function properly.
Antispasmodic: Spasms may be a small word but its effects may be widespread and highly dangerous. Spasms are not restricted to muscular cramps only. It can happen in the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems and can cause breathing troubles, asthma, congestion, severe coughs, spasmodic diarrhea, cholera, nervous afflictions and convulsions. The essential oil of tangerine induces relaxations in the organ systems named above and gives relief from spasms.
Tonic: An agent that tones and fortifies is a tonic and tangerine essential oil has this property. It tones up all the functions in the body. It fine tunes metabolic functions such as decomposition of food and absorption of nutrients by toning up the liver, stomach and intestines. It also helps in growth and adds to strength; ensures proper excretion; promotes secretions of the endocrine system and also tones up the nervous system to keep you more alert and active. Finally, it boosts the immune system to protect you from infections. When your body is tuned and toned up, it will give your body more mileage and make you function healthier and happier over the long term.
Cautions
This oil may show some extent of phototoxicity in certain skin types, but in general, it is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing.
Blending: The essential oil of tangerine blends very well with the essential oils of bergamot, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, frankincense, lavender, nutmeg and neroli.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
References
Source: Articles.mercola, http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/tangerine-oil.aspx
OrganicFacts, http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-tangerine-essential-oil.html
Sustainable Baby, http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/tangerine-essential-oil.html