Bitter Orange Essential Oil
Citrus aurantium
Description
As the name implies, Bitter Orange Essential Oil possesses a bitter orange aroma reminiscent of a cross between the sweetness of Sweet Orange Essential Oil and the slight bitterness of Grapefruit Essential Oil. Although it's favored by some individuals, I have less experience in use of this particular oil. I personally tend to lean towards using sweet orange, grapefruit and the other citrus oils.
Bitter Orange Essential Oil is phototoxic. Refer to the safety information mentioned below.
Bitter Orange Essential Oil Benefits and Uses
- Colds
- Constipation
- Dull Skin
- Flatulence
- Flu
- Gums
- Mouth
- Slow Digestion
- Stress
Source: Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 151-152.
Botanical Name
Plant Family
Common Method of Extraction
Cold Pressed/Expressed
Plant Part Typically Used
Color
Yellowish Orange to Greenish Orange
Consistency
Thin
Perfumery Note
Top
Strength of Initial Aroma
Medium
Aromatic Description
As the name implies, Bitter Orange Essential Oil smells like a cross between the sweetness of sweet orange oil and the slight bitterness of grapefruit oil.
Major Constituents
- Limonene
- B-Myrcene
- Linalool
- Bergapten
See Essential Oil Safety for a more complete list of typical constituents.
Source: B.M. Lawrence, Essential Oils 1981-1987 (Wheaton: Allured Publishing, 1989), 39-40. P. Dugo, L. Mondello, E. Sebastiani, et al., Identification of Minor Oxygen Heterocyclic Compounds of Citrus Essential Oils by Liquid Chromatography-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry. (Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies 22, 1999), 2991-3005. B.M. Lawrence, Progress in Essential Oils, Number 2. (Perfumer & Flavorist 25, 2000), 46-49. SCCP, Opinion on Furocoumarins in Cosmetic Products. (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, 13-Dec.-2005), SCCP/0942/05. Sources cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 371.
Bitter Orange Essential Oil Safety Information
Bitter Orange Essential Oil is phototoxic. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 1.25% to avoid risk of phototoxic reaction. Avoid using Bitter Orange Oil that has oxidized due to a greater risk of skin sensitization. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 87, 371.]
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for basic educational purposes only. The references to safety information, test results, constituents and percentages is generalized information. Essential oils can vary greatly in composition. The data is not necessary complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil composition and color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several CO2 Extracts and absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
