Orange Blossom: Contraindications, Toxicity, Properties And Benefits

What is orange blossom?

The orange blossom is the name that is usually given to the white flowers, from which the orange, citron and lemon tree come, which are born from the seeds that sprout from the flower.

Commonly, it is associated with the orange tree, and has a natural beauty from which a fresh aroma emerges and which, in turn, has therapeutic properties.

From the orange blossom, essential oils and infusions can be extracted, which are used as sedatives and soothing agents, in a natural way without being very invasive to the body.

We have a couple of articles on this same topic:

• Orange Blossom Water: Contraindications, Properties and Benefits
• Orange Blossom Essential Oil: Side Effects, Properties and Benefits

Origin of the orange blossom

The orange blossom belongs to the rutácea family (green shrubs, with flowers composed of 5 petals and 5 sepals), whose origin is Asian, domesticated in China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the subtropical and tropical Chinese provinces of Guangxi; and its cultivation spread as an ornamental and food plant in the Mediterranean areas, to Cuba, where it is highly appreciated for its properties.

It is said that in Fijian mythology (Pacific islands of Oceania) the orange blossom represented the female dance and the queen of fire (goddess who devoured men with her aroma).

In the sixteenth century, the Italian princess Ana María de Enrola, used it as a perfume on the gloves of her hands, which caused men to greet her, they were intoxicated by its aroma.

Hence, thanks to that fine and soft aroma that orange blossom gives off, it is used in the production of perfumes.

Orange blossom history

The name of the orange blossom comes from the Arabic language ” az-zahr ” which means “white flower” .

For the Arab culture, it represented purity, chastity and innocence, so it was implemented that brides used the orange blossom in the bouquet as a symbol of love and purity.

Likewise, its name is associated with the city of flowers, Medina Azahara, a feminine name, called the Versailles of the Middle Ages ( remains are considered a cultural heritage).

Orange blossom characteristics

Because it belongs to the rutácea family, it is a medium-sized tree, 2 to 4 meters high; the stem is widely used in cabinetmaking; the bifacial leaves, part bright green upper part and pale green on the underside; They grow in the shape of spikes, which when observed against the light show small bright spots, where the essential oil is found.

The flowers are white, which sometimes grow in groups, the corolla is in the form of a yellow crown, which contrasts with the white petals, giving it a natural beauty that causes admiration.

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Scientific name of orange blossom

The orange blossom is known by the scientific name ” Citrus sinensis or Citrus aurantium”, a common name for orange or sour lemon.

It is also cultivated in Latin America, specifically in Mexico, Puebla City, Veracruz, Hidalgo, due to its medicinal properties to calm the nerves.

Chemical composition of orange blossom

The orange blossom has more than 125 components, among which are 0.03% to 0.04% essence of neroli (yellow in color), linalol who is in charge of providing the aroma, as well as methyl atranyl, jasmonate and indole. , betaine and flavonoids, which give it a bitter to sweet taste.

In addition, it contains mineral salts, citric and ascorbic acid (which gives it that colorless, solid, water-soluble state), pectin (can be used in food) and vitamin P (improves the treatment of vitamin C).

Recommended dose of orange blossom

According to the use that is going to be given to the orange blossom, and according to its calming effects, it is recommended: to calm stomach pain caused by nerves, you should infuse chamomile tea, add 3g of orange blossom, marinate and drink the toilet.

To make homemade perfume, 250 gr are used. of dried flowers in approximately 1 liter of alcohol, let it rest, strain it and begin to use the perfume.

As it comes from nature, whose components are not invasive, otherwise they produce a calming, sedative and spasmolytic effect, it can be used in doses that are repeated 2 to 3 times a day, until the desired effect is achieved.

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Active ingredients of orange blossom

To know a little more about the composition of orange blossom, it has as active principles: in the flowers: Neroli oil (approximately 0.15%): limonene, linalol, nerol, methyl anthranilate.

In the bifacial leaves: Essential oil (0.15%), flavonic heterosides (provide a certain level of sugar) until the bitter beginning.

Orange tree skin or cover: Essential oil (0.5%), high concentration of limonene, aldehydes, pectin, auraptene (component that helps prevent degenerative diseases)

How is orange blossom oil extracted?

There are different ways to extract orange blossom oil, among which is mentioned:

By cold process: Some flowers and leaves are left to dry and are placed in a glass container, a type of conductive oil such as olive, jojoba or sunflower is added. The mixture is left to rest for approximately 15 days in a dark place. After that time has elapsed, it is filtered by pouring only the liquid into another glass container, along with other dried flowers and letting it rest for the same time, it is filtered again and the flowers are removed and neutral oil is added.

By maceration: The leaves and flowers are lightly pressed to release the “glands”, placed in a glass container with jojoba or olive oil, left to rest in a cool space, until the oil absorbs the essence of orange blossom; then it is filtered with a cloth or napkin to remove the remains of flowers and leaves, it is placed together with dried flowers and heated (repeat as many times until the oil is completely saturated), then it is lowered until it rests and is placed in another glass container with lid, and start to use.

Orange blossom benefits and properties

Orange blossom among the properties it possesses is as an analgesic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-hysteric, soothing, bactericidal, antineuralgic, cleansing, digestive, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, sedative, tranquilizing and vasoprotective.

One of the greatest benefits that orange blossom provides is that it helps prevent nervous tension and insomnia, as well as depression and control the level of palpitations caused by anxiety, producing a sedative effect.

If the person suffers from colic, menstrual pain, orange blossom can be used as it acts as a spasmodic. Helps in muscle aches, fatigue, anemia and calm a nervous cough. Sometimes, it is used for conditions such as hoarseness and throat infections, and to control stomach discomfort caused by irritable bowel and pain that cause uncontrolled evacuation.

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It is good for hair, how is it used?

To help in the care, orange blossom is used, but the water of the orange fruit, adding it to the hair, will condition it and give it shine and strength, as well as providing a pleasant and fresh fragrance.

What benefits does it bring for the skin and face?

If orange blossom is used in infusion (orange blossom water), the benefits it provides for the skin are very noticeable since it hydrates, refreshes and tones the skin, protecting it from the damage caused by toxic agents present in the environment, avoiding dryness and that it flakes, making it more resistant; Eliminates the shine that appears in certain areas of the face, giving it a healthier and younger appearance.

The orange blossom is useful to keep the skin clean, disinfected and prevent the formation of acne, keeping the pores free of fat. It is used for natural treatments in the process of burns caused by excessive sun exposure.

Is it useful to lose weight the orange blossom?

The orange blossom is a white flower, which, according to the type of seed, produces citrus fruits such as orange, lemon or citrus. Because it is a citrus fruit, it is recommended for weight loss treatments, since they favor the release of toxins and prevent fluid retention.

This can be achieved, by ingesting lemon tree water (lemon or grapefruit), as a complement in the weight loss process, but not as a direct effect to lose weight. These natural treatments do not have secondary implications that limit the use of these infusions.

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For wrinkles and acne

According to its moisturizing and antiseptic properties, orange blossom prevents skin aging, stimulating the growth of cells in the dermis and helps in the production of collagen, keeping the skin young and controlling the formation of wrinkles, offering a better appearance. , elasticity and tonicity of the skin.

By acting as an antiseptic, it prevents and controls the formation of acne, since it keeps the pores free of oil, because it reduces the excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands.

Pregnancy and orange blossom

When women are pregnant, there are stages in which it is not possible for the woman to fall asleep, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, due to the physical and hormonal changes that occur.

Although it is true, it is not highly recommended to use essences, tea or oils, because they prevent the absorption of iron by the body. However, the infusions can be used as relaxants and calming agents, which facilitate indulging in sleep.

The infusion of orange blossom water will promote healthily, calm the nerves and control the levels of depression caused during pregnancy.

During lactation it is safe to use

According to the citrus components, stimulants of the nervous system (synephrine), bitter taste, sympathomimetic agents (adrenaline accelerators) that can interfere with the production of breast milk, in addition they can provide more than the recommended dose of synephrine (30 mg per day) and that in turn cannot be combined with caffeine because they accelerate its effect.

However, it is recommended that it can be used but in moderate quantity, even so it is considered probable low risk.

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Is orange blossom good for babies?

It is advisable to use orange blossom water in infusion, heat water with orange blossom flowers, let it rest and when it is cold, pour it into the baby’s bottle and give it; This will help especially in restless babies, to relax, and to fall asleep in a pleasant way without causing any type of contraindication, as it is healthy and natural.

Esoteric and spiritual uses of orange blossom

According to the origin and history of the orange blossom, it is widely used in esoteric and spiritual recipes, because according to its sweet and pure aromatic properties, it helps to attract love in the couple, that the men you want to reach women, awakens the dormant desires of seduction in the couple.

They also use orange blossom in infusion as a bath to attract jobs and calm anxiety and depression.

These uses are complemented with other essences to reinforce its benefits, in love, as an aphrodisiac, producer of dreams that release stress, as well as attract love, luck, money and work. It is up to the person to use the orange blossom for this purpose.

Orange blossom as a mosquito repellent

Due to its composition, fruits such as lemon are derived, the oil that is extracted from it is used as a natural repellent against mosquitoes, through a dispenser that is activated for periods of time, and will keep the environment fresh and free of those annoying mosquitoes.

Similarly, orange blossom can be used as an ointment or cream, combined with a carrier oil, to activate the level of action and protection against mosquito bites.

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Orange blossom against cancer, is it good?

Among the different compounds that are obtained from the orange blossom, is the orange blossom honey, among the properties and benefits it brings to health is that of being a powerful and natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and antibacterial, because it helps against free radicals and strengthens the immune system, classifying it as a good protective agent against cancer and its degenerative health effects, due to chronic diseases.

How is orange blossom used for massages?

The orange blossom is a flower that has properties that provide many health benefits; From it you can make infusions, water, oils and essential oils, where the latter, orange blossom oils are used to perform body massage therapies, which help reduce both muscle pain, such as headaches, migraines, migraines, neuralgia, among others, that make the person go from an unpleasant moment to a moment of calm and tranquility.

Aromatherapy and orange blossom

The aromatherapy is an alternative therapy technique where essential oils and water are used, they exert therapeutic properties that benefit the body and mind.

Such is the case of orange blossom, which is used for analgesic therapy because it calms pain, as well as stimulates the person when they are in a low mood and listless; In the intimate area it is considered as a hormonal activator, thanks to the fact that when perceiving the pleasant smell that orange blossom provides, it will activate repressed desires.

Does the orange blossom have expiration?

When it comes to the expiration of any of the by-products obtained from orange blossom, it must be taken into account where and how to keep it, so that its properties are used to the maximum.

Such is the orange blossom water, which, being a distillate, must be kept in a dark container, preferably blue and refrigerated, out of sunlight or natural light, therefore, it has an expiration time, because with the passing of the Time and the components that maintain it, produce changes in its appearance or texture, losing beneficial effects which means that it must be discarded.

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Cosmetic uses of orange blossom

Among the different uses that orange blossom has, the following are mentioned: as a tonic, thanks to its antiseptic and astringent properties; for makeup, fix it and give it a fresher appearance; to depilate, because it soothes irritated skin; as a perfume, since due to the fragrance it emanates, it gives that feeling of freshness to the body; moisturizing the skin because it refreshes and cleanses, together with cleansing cream, the impurities left by the environment.

Medicinal properties of orange blossom

The main medicinal property it provides is to soothe and calm the nerves, as well as attacks coughs, fever, throat infection; orange blossom water helps to heal and heal wounds faster and naturally; acts against skin burns and redness, product of overexposure to the sun; relieves stomach and digestive ailments; headaches, fatigue; alleviating the stress processes caused by some type of health condition.

Culinary uses of orange blossom

Orange blossom is widely used in the kitchen, because, among its properties, it is edible, it is used as a dressing for salads, an ingredient in cocktails, for cakes, sweets; In Mexico it is a main ingredient in the roscón de reyes, because it gives it that bitter sweet flavor, which makes it pleasant to the palate. The ideal is to dehydrate the petals and store them in sealed glass containers, which will allow them to preserve their natural flavor to include it in kitchen recipes.

Orange blossom toxicity level

The toxicity level of orange blossom is considered at 0, it must be taken into account that people with sensitive skin should not use orange blossom and overexpose themselves to the sun, because it would cause a photosensitivity effect on the skin.

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Orange blossom contraindications

Orange blossom, in oil, should not be used internally during pregnancy, breastfeeding, in children under 3 years of age, or people with a sensitive colon, gastric problems, colitis.

Do not apply to children under 6 years of age, or to people suffering from allergies or sensitive skin.

Do not use it with derivatives in alcohol content, or those who suffer from ethyl problems.

Home remedies with orange blossom

Among the home remedies with orange blossom, the following are mentioned:

Orange blossom water, which acts against the nerves due to its sedative and calming action.

Orange blossom oil, a few small drops are placed in the diffusers, it will create a calm environment, favoring relaxation, giving a calmer sleep.

Orange blossom honey, is used to sweeten infusions or tea, which relieve headaches as well as act as antidepressants.

Orange blossom technical sheet

Scientific name: Citrus aurantium

• Precautions: Do not exceed the recommended dose.
• Use: oral and / or topical.
• Conservation: in sealed containers, away from sunlight.

Nutritional value of orange blossom

It has a high pectin content (it can be used in meals), it provides vitamin C, it is antidiarrheal, it acts as a vasoprotector and it is hypocholesterolemic.