The health benefits of Mandarin Essential Oil can be attributed to its potential properties as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, circulatory, cytophylactic, depurative, digestive, hepatic, nervous relaxant, sedative, stomachic, and tonic substance.
Mandarins are citrus fruits which are also known as Mandarin oranges or Tangerines. However, there is a slight difference. Mandarins are more yellow in color and come with pips, while tangerines are more orange in color and come without pips. So, the mandarin essential oil is also called tangerine essential oil. The botanical name of both of these plants is Citrus Reticulata, which shows that they are the same. As the name suggests, mandarin plants are native to China. From there, they went to Europe and now Italy is one of the biggest producers of Mandarin Oil.
The essential oil is extracted by cold compression of the fresh peels of these fruits and contains alpha-thujone, alpha pinene, beta pinene, camphene, citral, citronellal, gamma terpinolene, geranial, geraniol, limonene, linalool, methyl anthranilate, myrcene, nerol, sabinene, and terpineol. Mandarins have a special place in Chinese culture as they were given as gifts to the Mandarins (the name given to Chinese officials under the king). [1]
Health Benefits of Mandarin Essential Oil
Apart from being used as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage, cosmetics, soap, oil, and perfume industries, this oil has various potent medicinal uses as well. Let’s explore more about those health benefits below.
May Prevent Infections
It may protect wounds from becoming septic as well as from other bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. It may form a protective covering on the wound and may promote the collection of blood platelets and leucocytes at the affected place, thereby blocking the intrusion of microbes. Furthermore, in a 2018 report by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the oil itself has bactericidal and fungicidal properties and kills them, thereby adding to this protective effect. [2]
May Help Relieve Spasms
A spasm in the respiratory system can make you suffer from breathing troubles, congestion, and exhausting coughs while muscular spasm gives cramps and muscle pulls, which are very painful. Spasms in the digestive system (intestines) can cause vomiting and pulling aches in the stomach and intestines while a spasm in the nervous system can result in nervous afflictions and convulsions. There are a number of treatments, but one that is herbal and has no adverse side effects is a mandarin essential oil. Just a few drops and the spasm will be relieved.
Mandarine essential oil is calming for your emotions and great for soothing overtired children. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
It May Improve Blood Circulation
The oil of mandarin oranges may also improve the circulation of blood and lymph, particularly below the skin, which may keep the skin rejuvenated and looking young and vibrant. This improved circulation may also create warmth and provides relief from rheumatism and arthritis. This can also aid growth and boosts immunity.
It May Help Remove Toxins
It purifies the blood by helping remove toxic and unwanted substances from the body by means of excretion, including urine, fecal matter, and sweat. This prevents diseases that result from the deposition of toxins, such as abscesses, boils, acne, gout, and arthritis.
It May Help Improve Digestion
A few drops of this oil after lunch or dinner may facilitate digestion by stimulating the discharge of digestive juices and bile into the stomach. It also increases appetite.
Possibly A Hepatic
This oil is good for the liver as it helps to maintain the proper discharge of bile from it and protects it from infections. It also strengthens the liver and optimizes its functions.
Mandarin essential oil helps to invoke a feeling of freshness. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Act As a Nervous Relaxant
Although the oil is a common sedative, its sedating action is more prominent in relaxing and calming nervous afflictions and disturbances. It can calm attacks of epilepsy, hysteria, and convulsions. Furthermore, it removes stress and anxiety.
May Promote Cell Growth
The essential oil of mandarin may also promote the growth of new cells and tissues, thereby helping to speed the healing time of wounds and other signs of wear & tear. This also promotes proper growth of the body.
May Act as Tonic
Mandarin essential oil may help tone up overall health and boosts the function of the immune system. Being a tonic, it helps in the growth and proper functioning of the body by toning up all the organic systems functioning in it, including the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, circulatory, neurotic, excretory, nervous, and endocrine systems. It also boosts the overall immune system of the body.
May Have A Sedative Effect
The essential oil of mandarin oranges is a reputed sedative for inflammation and nervous disturbances.
May Help Relieve Stomach Disorders
This oil helps maintain the acid and base balance in the stomach and protects it from ulcers and other disorders. It also fights any infections in the stomach.
Other Benefits
This essential oil relieves stress, aids in treating skin disorders, maintains moisture balance in the skin, treats diarrhea, constipation, flatulence and other such disorders related to digestive and excretory systems, while also diminishing scars, stretch marks, and fat cracks on the skin.
Words of Caution
It has been known to show photo-toxicity and it may produce irritation in some skin types. [3]
Blending
Mandarin essential oil, being citrus oil itself, blends with most of the other citrus oils such as those of neroli, grapefruit, orange, lime, and lemon. Along with these, it also blends well with essential oils of bergamot, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, frankincense, lavender, and nutmeg.
