Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Location: Orange is now widely cultivated for its fruit and juice all around the Mediterranean and in California and Florida.
Extraction: Expression from the peel.
Colour and Odour: The essential oil is golden yellow in colour and has a sweet, fruity aroma.
Description: The sweet orange is produced by a small evergreen tree which is less hardy than the bitter orange tree. It has shiny leaves, white flowers and round fruits.
Background: A native of China, the sweet orange was introduced to Europe in the eighteenth century, where it flourished. Orange is a traditional ingredient in mulled wine; pierced with cloves and dried, the fruit is a popular pomander.
Properties: Antidepressant, antispasmodic, sedative.
Uses
Digestive System-Promotes peristalsis, easing constipation.
Circulatory System-Can be valuable in helping treat cardiac spasm or palpitations and reducing blood cholesterol.
Emotion-Very cheering, joyful, bright and lively, orange dispels gloomy thoughts, can help with sadness and depression.
