Sweet orange is a very uplifting and bright essential oil. It brings the aroma of fresh citrus to your home with just a few drops. Besides its wonderful smell, there are also many health benefits of orange essential oil. Orange oil has been used for thousands of years to boost immunity, aid digestion, fight skin infections, improve circulation, and much more. Its fragrance can bring feelings of peace, creativity, and harmony. Here's more about this sweet and citrusy essential oil, plus ways to use it and precautions to be aware of. What is Orange Essential Oil? Orange essential oil comes from the peels of sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis)- the kind you would buy at the store. There's also another type that comes from bitter oranges (Citrus aurantium), but it has different properties than the more commonly used sweet orange oil. While many other essential oils are steam distilled, orange oil is cold-pressed from the peels of the fruit. This keeps many beneficial compounds and antioxidants intact, since no heat or chemicals are involved. The essential oil can be extracted by first separating the rind from the fruit and then putting them through the pressing process. Another method involves pressing the whole fruit to extract both the juice and the essential oil. The oil is then separated from the juice using centrifugal force. The beautiful yellow-orange oil that comes out of the pressing process has been used for health, flavoring, and cosmetics for a long time. Orange essential oil is important in several traditional medicinal practices. It has most been used in the Mediterranean region, China, India, and the Middle East. It's also a natural flavoring in orange drinks and candies as well as a fragrance in soaps, lotions, etc. Modern research has confirmed several important benefits of orange essential oil, although there is much that hasn't been studied yet. Top Benefits of Orange Essential Oil Boosts Your Mood and Fights Stress Orange oil has both an uplifting and a relaxing effect. It's great for lifting your mood, fighting stress, and potentially calming anxiety. Several studies have explored the effects of orange essential oil on anxiety. So far, it's been found to reduce the anxiety and stress of women going through labor as well as children having a dental procedure done. Other studies indicate that it may also help some symptoms of depression. (1)(2)(3) Diffusing orange essential oil is one of the best ways to get its calming properties. You can also mix it with a carrier oil and apply as a stress-fighting