Description

Mandarin Aromatherapy

“This ‘happy oil’ brings liveliness in the atmosphere.”

 

Mandarin (scientific name Citrus reticulata) is a low-growing, evergreen tree. Mandarin generally grows up to a height of 20 feet and bears green leaves and fragrant flowers. The fruits of this tree are small and similar to those of oranges. However, one should be careful not to confuse mandarin fruits with those of the orange tree. Mandarin is indigenous to China and was introduced into Europe way back in 1805 and subsequently into the United States sometime in 1845. In the United States, mandarin later came to be referred as the tangerine. Italy has been ranked as the top producer of Mandarin essential oil in the recent years. This fruit gained its name from the verity that it was given as a conventional gift to the Mandarins of China. The Traditional Chinese Medicine makes use of the dried rind of these fruits for regulating the ‘Qi’ or ‘Chi’ meaning life force, life energy or energy flow and is defined as the basic principle that is a part of every living thing on earth.

The leaves of mandarin tree are glossy and oval-shaped, while its flowers are small, aromatic and have a white hue. Since mandarin fruits bear a close resemblance of tangerine, people in the United States use the terms tangerine and mandarin interchangeably to refer to this orange-like fruit. However, in the business involving citrus fruits, the term “tangerine” strictly refers to fruits having an orange-red peel, while the term “mandarin” is only used for yellow hued fruits.

In addition to the above-mentioned differences between mandarin and tangerine, the aroma as well as the chemical composition of the two fruits are also dissimilar. In fact, the essential oil extracted from mandarin possesses a sharper aroma and is usually preferred for medicinal uses. This essential oil is among the safest and medical practitioners often recommend its use for children as well as for pregnant women.

 

 

As a rich source of vitamin C, Mandarin oranges have been in use since the primordial times for meeting the nutritional requirements of children as well as elderly people. Mandarin is considered as a safe medicine for treating indigestion, strengthening the liver and the digestive system in aged people in France.

Generally, production of unadulterated or pure mandarin essential oil is quite limited. The quantity of genuine mandarin essential oil is usually subject to the demand for fresh mandarins in the domestic as well as export markets. In Italy, people mainly use most of the fruits for their consumption, while a very small fraction, about just 5 to 6 percent of the fruits produced is used to extract the essential oil. Hence mandarin essential oil is generally expensive compared to the essential oils extracted from other citrus fruits. Mandarin essential oil possesses numerous therapeutic properties. It is balancing, soothing and also lifts the mood. In addition, this oil possesses antiseptic, anti-depressant, and digestive attributes. Mandarin essential oil is also used in the manufacture of perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and in the form of a flavoring agent in confectionery and liqueurs.

 

 

General properties

antiseptic

antispasmodic

circulatory

cytophylactic

depurative

digestive

hepatic

nervous relaxant

sedative

stomachic

tonic

 

Blends well with

basil

bergamot

black pepper

cinnamon

clary sage

clove

frankincense

grapefruit

lemon

lime

neroli

nutmeg

lavender

orange

palmarosa

petitgrain

chamomile

rose

sweet marjoram

 

General uses

acne

anxiety

arthritis

cellulite

constipation

convulsions

depression

epilepsy

fluid retention

gastritis

grief

hysteria

immunity

indigestion

insomnia

muscle spasms

obesity

PMS

stretch marks

stress

tension

wounds

 

Precaution

This essential oil needs to be used with caution, as there are reports that it has resulted in photo-toxicity in some people. As a result, use of mandarin essential oil may cause irritation in some specific types of skin.