Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis Plant Family of Rutaceae  
 
Aromatic Description: Blood Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) is derived from the peel of the blood orange fruit through cold pressing, preserving its vibrant, tangy-sweet aroma and rich nutrient content. This top-note oil is known for its fresh, juicy citrus scent with a slightly tart and raspberry-like undertone, making it a favourite in emotional and physical wellness applications. It offers a distinctly sunnier and more intense aroma than its cousin, sweet orange, and has an immediate mood-lifting effect when diffused.
 
In aromatherapy, Blood Orange oil symbolizes joy, vitality, and abundance, evoking the sun's energizing and life-giving power. Spiritually, it aligns with the sacral chakra, encouraging creativity and emotional flow, and the solar plexus chakra, stimulating motivation and personal empowerment.
 
Therapeutically, Blood Orange essential oil is prized for its emotional and physiological benefits. Its high limonene content—often up to 90%—contributes to its powerful antioxidant and cleansing properties. It helps ease anxiety, nervous tension, and mild depression, making it an effective support for emotional balance and mental clarity. It also aids digestion, relieves bloating, and supports healthy metabolism and circulation. The oil is often used in massage blends to encourage lymphatic drainage and detoxification and in skincare products to balance oily skin and help reduce blemishes. However, it should be used with sun protection due to possible photosensitivity.
 
Chemically, the oil is composed of limonene, myrcene, alpha-pinene, linalool, and citral, among other compounds. These constituents offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. While the fruit's vivid red pigments (anthocyanins) are not present in the oil, the enhanced aroma and energizing qualities are unmistakable. It works synergistically with other oils such as lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, clove, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, neroli, lavender, and frankincense, making it highly versatile for blending in both therapeutic and perfumery contexts.
 
In practical use, Blood Orange essential oil is popular in diffusers for its brightening effect on mood and atmosphere. It can be added to massage oils for circulation support, facial toners for skin clarity, or cleaning blends for its crisp scent and natural antimicrobial action. Bath rituals impart an uplifting and refreshing quality when combined with Epsom salts or carrier oils. Whether used alone or in synergy with other oils, Blood Orange is a radiant and cheerful addition to any aromatherapy practice.
 
Blood Orange adds a radiant, uplifting character to any blend as a bright, top-note essential oil, making it a favourite in emotional and energetic aromatherapy.
 
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed/Expressed, Plant Part Typically Used of Citrus Rind (Peel)