I don’t like to give into beauty trends until after I do extensive research on them. Deciding if the newest trend is beneficial or truly a sham isn’t as easy as you may think. It’s difficult to know the difference between the honest, factual sources, and the phony ones. I hope that with this article I can shed some light on the current sweet orange essential oil vs. wild orange essential oil situation.

If you’re on the prowl for a new essential oil to add to your collection or if you’re just starting out in the essential oil world, you should look into the benefits of sweet orange oil vs. wild orange essential oil. They may seem like two different essential oils, but are they really? Christopher Columbus may have brought orange seeds during his expedition, but besides that little bit of knowledge, the history of the orange plant is still a mystery. What we do know is that orange oil can provide a plethora of benefits. Let’s take a deep dive to learn more about the orange essential oil family. 

What Does Orange Essential Oil Do?

Oranges and thyme.

There are many different types of orange oils, just like there are many different types of oranges that you can have in your home. There’s blood orange, which has the aroma of an orange grove. The smell is similar to the smell of an orange peel but with an added sweetness. Mandarin orange oil has a much more exotic aroma. The oil smells more like the leaves of the tree that this orange comes from than the actual taste of mandarin orange. The clementine oil smells exactly like clementine – sweet and tangy. Tangerine oil is more delicate than the others in its aroma. It’s mostly used in perfumes because it’s such a subtle sweetness. Today, we’ll mostly be discussing sweet orange oil which has the most classic orange aroma. It’s sweet and tart all in one.   

Sweet orange oil is mostly made up of limonene. Limonene is packed with benefits. It’s a powerful disinfectant and antiseptic since it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral. It can also help your digestive system and reduce nausea all while keeping you calm and relaxed. You may have never heard of limonene but it’s all around us. It’s used in beverages, food, and chewing gum to add flavor. It’s even used in ointments and creams to help the cream penetrate the skin more easily. Limonene is also used in water-free hand sanitizers. 

Sweet Orange Vs Wild Orange Essential Oil Explained

Sliced orange.

The difference between sweet orange oils and wild orange essential oils isn’t that different since wild orange essential is usually a combination of different species of orange. Since there is no clear source of wild orange, what’s actually in it is unclear. When you buy wild orange essential oil, you’re most probably buying sweet orange oil mixed with other species. Many people say that sweet orange oil is organic and farm-grown while wild orange is wild-grown. If you think about it, wouldn’t that mean it’s the same plant, just grown in different locations? Wild orange oil is a bit fishy for that reason. 

Another interesting thing about wild orange oil is that users are warned that it’s phototoxic. Phototoxic means that the skin becomes more sensitive to light and UV rays. So, after using a product that says it’s phototoxic, you should avoid sunlight and certain antibiotics and ointments. This is literally wild because sweet orange oil is not phototoxic, so what is really in WILD orange oil? Sweet orange is scientifically known as Citrus sinensis. If wild orange oil says it’s sourced from Citrus sinensis, then it’s a lie, because sweet orange oil is not phototoxic. 

Sweet Orange Essential Oil Benefits Breakdown

Woman in pain.

As with any other essential oils, diffusing them is the safest way to reap all of their benefits. Aromatherapy has many benefits but diffusing sweet orange essential oil carries its own specific benefits. For example, sweet orange oil can relieve pain. There was a random clinical trial done in hospitals that showed that the patients who inhaled sweet orange felt less orange than those who didn’t. If you were to apply it topically, it would work just the same, just more locally than all over pain relief. Other than being used for pain relief, sweet orange oil can improve digestion, boost your energy levels, and strengthen your immune system.

Along with so many other benefits, sweet orange oil may also be able to kill cancer cells or even prevent them from forming. The main compound found in sweet orange oil, limonene, has shown to be chemopreventative in lab tests. The test was conducted on patients who were recently diagnosed with operable breast cancer and weren’t doing any chemo or radiation. There are so many variables in the experiment but they did learn that a limonene intervention made breast tumors significantly smaller when consumed daily. Nothing is definite, but as you can see, the benefits of sweet orange oil are endless. 

Wild Orange Essential Oil Benefits Breakdown

Woman with healthy hair.

Here’s the thing about wild orange essential oil, I can’t tell you what it’s made of. If I can’t tell you what it’s made of, I can’t exactly say for sure what it’s benefits are. Wild orange essential oils are either sweet orange oil or a combination of different species of oranges. There’s nothing wrong with getting a combination, but it’s hard to pinpoint the exact benefits per se. Orange essential oils, in general, have a plethora of benefits for your skin, hair, and even your mental health. 

The main chemical components of orange oils are limonene, β- Myrcene, α-Pinene, Citronellol, Geraniol, linalool, and Neral. All of these components share some of the same benefits and some have their own. Most of them contain anti-inflammatory properties, which means if you’re suffering from a cold and have a lot of congestion, diffusing orange essential oil should be able to help. It’s great to diffuse all types of orange essential oil because the scent can help regulate blood pressure and relax you. If you’re ever feeling sad, angry, or anxious, trying orange essential oil may be able to help.

Conclusion

Oranges have been around for centuries. Their ability to enhance the immune systems has had a major effect on people’s health and the overall health of the world. When buying one for yourself, there are a few things you should look for. To make sure you’re getting real orange, you should verify that the label says Citrus sinensis. If it says Citrus aurantium, that means it’s bitter orange oil. Be sure to not confuse the two. 

You should also check the product purity. You should be buying something that says pure orange essential oil. If it doesn’t say this, then the label should mention what other ingredients are in it. While you’re at it, choose dark bottles since essential oils can easily be damaged by light. Stay away from any bottle that makes health claims., Yes, there are many benefits of orange essential oil, but since the FDA doesn’t approve these, it’s a bit sketchy for the product to have these claims written on the bottle. Last, but not least, open the bottle and smell it. If it smells like anything but orange, skip it. Adding some sweet orange essential oil to your life can have a profound impact on your health. It’s physical and mental benefits are limitless.

Get your very own Orange Essential Oil now at the Maple Storefront!