Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli essential oil is derived from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, scientifically known as Citrus × aurantium. This tree is part of the Rutaceae family and has a rich history dating back centuries. Here's a closer look at the history and plant description of Citrus × aurantium, commonly known as the bitter orange tree:
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Plant Description
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Botanical Name: Citrus × aurantium
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Common Names: Bitter orange, Seville orange, Sour orange
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Family: Rutaceae
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The bitter orange tree is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia but is now cultivated in various parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and the Americas. It is closely related to other citrus fruits like sweet oranges, lemons, and limes. Here are some key characteristics of the bitter orange tree:
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Leaves: The tree has glossy, oval-shaped leaves that are dark green in color. They are typically 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) long.
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Flowers: The blossoms of the bitter orange tree are highly fragrant and have a white color with five petals. They are known for their aromatic and sweet scent, which is the source of neroli essential oil.
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Fruit: Bitter orange fruits are round and small, measuring about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) in diameter. They are bright orange in color and have a thick, dimpled peel. The fruit is highly acidic and bitter, which is why it is not typically consumed as a fresh fruit but has culinary and medicinal uses.
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History
The history of the bitter orange tree and its fruit, as well as the extraction of neroli oil from its blossoms, is rich and spans several centuries:
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Ancient Origins: Bitter orange trees are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. They were introduced to Europe by Arab traders during the Middle Ages and later spread to the Mediterranean region.
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Use in Perfumery: The use of bitter orange blossoms in perfumery can be traced back to the 17th century when neroli oil gained popularity in Europe. It was named after Anna Maria de La Tremoille, Princess of Nerola, Italy, who used it to scent her bathwater and gloves.
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Aromatherapy and Traditional Medicine: Neroli essential oil, extracted from the blossoms, has been used in traditional medicine and aromatherapy for its calming and soothing properties. It has been employed to alleviate stress, anxious feelings, and promote relaxation.
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Culinary and Medicinal Uses: Bitter orange fruit and peel have been used in culinary applications, especially in the preparation of marmalades and liqueurs. Additionally, bitter orange peel has been used in traditional medicine to aid digestion and as a remedy for various ailments.
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Overall, the bitter orange tree has played a significant role in perfumery, traditional medicine, and culinary traditions, with its fragrant blossoms being the source of the prized neroli essential oil.
Take a Closer Look
Botanical Name
Citrus × aurantium
Aromatic Description
Sweet, floral, citrusy, fresh
Main Constituents
Linalool, linalyl, acetate, limonene
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Uses
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Apply topically to help soothe the skin.
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Combine Neroli, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Marjoram essential oils for a relaxing and aromatic massage experience.
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Apply to pulse points throughout the day to uplift mood.
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Use when experiencing anxious feelings.
Directions for Use
Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
Primary Benefits
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Skin Care: Neroli essential oil is known for its skin-nourishing properties. When applied topically, it can help improve the complexion, reduce the appearance of uneven skin, and promote overall skin health. The diluted form is gentle on the skin and can be applied to specific areas, such as blemishes or dry patches.
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Stress Reduction: Neroli oil has natural sedative and calming effects. Applying it to pulse points, such as the wrists or temples, can help reduce stress and anxious feelings. Inhaling the soothing aroma of neroli can promote relaxation and a sense of well-being.
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Relief from Tension: Massaging diluted neroli oil onto the forehead or temples can provide relief from head discomfort and tension. The oil's relaxing properties can help ease muscle tension and promote relaxation.
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Promotes Sleep: Neroli oil is often used in aromatherapy to improve sleep quality. When applied to pulse points before bedtime, it can help induce a sense of calm and relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy a restful night's sleep.
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Healthy Inflammatory Response: Neroli supports healthy inflammatory responses when applied topically. The roller bottle allows for easy application to targeted areas of discomfort, such as sore muscles or joints.
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10 ways to use neroli
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Natural Perfume: Create a personalized, all-natural perfume by blending Neroli oil with other favorite essential oils, such as lavender, jasmine, or rose. Dilute the blend with a carrier oil and apply it to your pulse points.
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Stress-Relief Inhaler: Add a few drops of Neroli oil to an inhaler or a cotton ball. Inhale deeply to help reduce stress and anxious feelings during the day.
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Laundry Freshener: Roll a few drops of Neroli oil to a cloth or a small sachet and toss it in your dryer to infuse your clothes with a lovely scent.
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Facial Steam: Incorporate Neroli oil into your facial steaming routine. Add a couple of drops to a bowl of hot water, create a steam tent with a towel, and allow the steam to open your pores and relax your skin.
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Homemade Lip Balm: Combine Neroli oil with coconut oil, beeswax, and a touch of honey to create a soothing and fragrant homemade lip balm.
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Hair Mask: Mix Neroli oil with a nourishing carrier oil like argan oil and apply it to your hair as a pre-shampoo treatment. It can help hydrate and add shine to your locks.
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Aphrodisiac Massage Oil: Create a sensual massage oil by blending Neroli oil with other essential oils known for their aphrodisiac properties, such as ylang-ylang and sandalwood.
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Spiritual Meditation: Diffuse Neroli oil during your meditation or spiritual practice to enhance mindfulness and create a serene atmosphere.
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Homemade Room Spray: Make a DIY room spray by combining Neroli oil with water and a natural emulsifier like witch hazel or vodka. Use it to refresh the air and uplift your mood.
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Perfumed Stationery: Add a drop of Neroli oil to the corner of a handwritten letter or card to infuse it with a personal touch and a delicate fragrance
diy eecipes with neroli
You can open the roller bottle with one of the tools that was made to remove the caps and then use a clean pipette to take out the drops for use in these DIY recipes.
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​Neroli and Rose Uplifting Perfume
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Ingredients:
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5 drops of Neroli essential oil
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3 drops of Rose essential oil
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2 drops of Bergamot essential oil
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2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
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Instructions:
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Mix all the essential oils with jojoba oil in a small glass perfume bottle.
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Roll or dab a small amount on your pulse points for a floral and uplifting fragrance.
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Neroli and Frankincense Anti-Aging Facial Serum
Ingredients:
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5 drops of Neroli essential oil
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5 drops of Frankincense essential oil
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5 drops of Lavender essential oil
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2 tablespoons of argan oil
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Instructions:
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Combine all the essential oils with argan oil in a dark glass dropper bottle.
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Apply a few drops to your face and neck after cleansing and toning to promote youthful-looking skin.
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Neroli and Eucalyptus Sinus Relief Steam
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Ingredients:
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3 drops of Neroli essential oil
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2 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
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A bowl of hot, steaming water
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Instructions:
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Fill a bowl with hot, steaming water.
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Add the essential oils to the water.
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Lean over the bowl and cover your head with a towel to create a steam tent. Inhale deeply to relieve sinus congestion and promote respiratory comfort.
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Neroli and Chamomile Relaxing Body Oil
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Ingredients:
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7 drops of Neroli essential oil
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5 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil
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2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil
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Instructions:
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Mix the Neroli and Chamomile essential oils with sweet almond oil in a small glass bottle.
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Use this calming body oil for a soothing massage or as a post-bath moisturizer.
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Neroli and Sandalwood Meditation Blend
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Ingredients:
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4 drops of Neroli essential oil
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4 drops of Sandalwood essential oil
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2 drops of Frankincense essential oil
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A diffuser or Roller bottle (double the recipe for a roller)
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Instructions:
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Add the essential oils to your diffuser or create a roller blend instead.
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Diffuse this blend during meditation or relaxation exercises to create a tranquil and grounding atmosphere.
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essential emotions & spirituality
Neroli - The Oil of Shared Purpose
Spiritual Benefits
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Enhanced Spiritual Awareness:
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Neroli oil has a calming and grounding scent that can help quiet the mind and promote a sense of inner peace. This tranquility can create an environment conducive to meditation and self-reflection, enhancing spiritual awareness and connection.
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Elevated Mood and Positivity:
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Neroli oil's uplifting aroma can help elevate mood and boost positivity. When used during spiritual practices or rituals, it can create a more positive and harmonious atmosphere, making it easier to connect with one's spiritual beliefs and goals.
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Balanced Energy Centers (Chakras):
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Some practitioners of energy work and chakra balancing incorporate neroli essential oil to help balance and align the energy centers in the body. Its soothing and harmonizing properties can support the flow of energy and contribute to overall spiritual balance.
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Emotional Benefits
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Stress Reduction and anxious feelings Relief:
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Neroli oil is renowned for its ability to reduce stress and anxious feelings. Inhaling its sweet, floral aroma can have a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to alleviate feelings of tension and unease, and promoting emotional well-being.
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Emotional Healing and Self-Love:
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Neroli oil is associated with promoting emotional healing and self-love. It can help individuals release emotional baggage and past traumas, allowing them to cultivate self-compassion and self-acceptance. This emotional healing process can be spiritually transformative.
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Confidence and Emotional Balance:
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Neroli oil is often used to boost confidence and emotional stability. Its uplifting scent can help individuals feel more centered and self-assured, making it useful for addressing feelings of insecurity or self-doubt.
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neroli oil affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements that can help you focus your mind, increase self-confidence, and promote emotional well-being. Combining affirmations with the soothing aroma of Neroli essential oil can create a powerful and uplifting experience. Here are five affirmations to use in conjunction with Neroli oil:
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"I am calm and centered, like the tranquil scent of Neroli."
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Inhale the calming aroma of Neroli oil while repeating this affirmation to cultivate inner peace and emotional balance.
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"I radiate confidence and self-love, just like the blossoms of Neroli."
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Use this affirmation with Neroli oil to boost self-esteem and nurture a positive self-image.
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"I release stress and tension, allowing the fragrance of Neroli to soothe my soul."
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Inhale Neroli's soothing scent while repeating this affirmation to let go of stress and embrace relaxation.
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"I am open to the beauty and abundance of life, just as Neroli blossoms bloom."
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Connect with the optimism and abundance represented by Neroli's fragrant blossoms with this affirmation.
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"I embrace the present moment with gratitude and joy, guided by the scent of Neroli."
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Use this affirmation to foster mindfulness and appreciation for the here and now, enhanced by the aromatic presence of Neroli oil.
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To use these affirmations with Neroli oil, find a quiet and comfortable space. Apply a drop of diluted Neroli oil to your pulse points (e.g., wrists, temples) or diffuse it in the room. Take a few deep breaths, inhaling the scent of Neroli, and repeat your chosen affirmation several times. Allow the positive energy of the affirmation and the aroma to uplift your mood and mindset.