Aromatherapy – the Citrus Oils
Aromatherapy is known for its delicious, intoxicating scents and most people think they're all derived from flower petals, but they're not. Essential oils are also extracted from grasses, seeds, herbs, fruits, barks, resins, stems, leaves, roots, needles, twigs, balsams and fruit peels. In fact, essential oils from fruit peels are some of the most useful. Three easily recognizable ones are Lemon, Grapefruit and Orange.
The essences from the peels are much more complex and concentrated than the squeezed juices normally associated with citrus fruits and we get them through a process called cold-pressing. The peels are separated from the fruit and in a two-step process, are further refined to assure that all juice is gone and only the highest quality essential oils remain.
The resulting purity of the oils and the distribution of individual constituents like limonene and citral give them a number of therapeutic properties. They can be anti-inflammative, antiseptic, vasodilators, calming to the central nervous system and temperature reducing. The variations in the dominance of one constituent over another are due, in no small part, to where and how the fruit is grown and harvested (i.e. climate, soil, elevation, etc.). Over time, the body of evidence points to certain regions of the world as ideal for producing the best oils.
For instance, high quality Grapefruit (citrus aurantifolia) is primarily grown in Italy and the United States. The resulting essential oil is effective for mental exhaustion, headaches, stiffness and muscle fatigue, all things with which dancers are intimately acquainted. Dancers can make a nice massage oil for sore, aching muscles by combining 2 drops of Grapefruit and 4-5 drops of Lavender in 4 ounces of a good carrier oil like Almond Oil or Avocado Oil. Used at bedtime, it can help muscles to relax. However, it should not be used prior to going out in the sun or to a tanning salon because the result can be an irritating photosensitivity.
Grapefruit, by the way, has other useful qualities. It makes an excellent antiseptic and a good disinfectant. It blends well with Lavender, Frankincense, Geranium and Eucalyptus. I might add that it's the essential oil of choice for two of my co-workers, both of whom like to keep a cotton ball with a few drops of Grapefruit on their desks. They inhale the soft fragrance throughout the day and swear it keeps them alert.
Another versatile fruit is the orange. It gives us Petitgrain from its leaves, Neroli from its flowers and Sweet Orange (citrus sinensis) from the peel of the fruit. Although the orange tree was first cultivated in Italy, it arrived in the United States via Franciscan monks. Both countries produce high quality essential oils that are used for everything from skin care to disinfectants, antiseptics and for helping to eliminate toxins from the body. Its soft aroma blends well with Grapefruit, Sandalwood, Rose Otto, Lemon and Vetiver.
Lemon (citrus limonum) is one of my favorites. I often blend it with Lavender and diffuse it into my workspace. Lemon essential oil is good for infections, general fatigue, colds and flu, rheumatism and skin care. Its refreshing, stimulating scent has reportedly been used in Japanese banks and commercial buildings to help reduce worker error.
These three essential oils, along with others like Lemon Verbena and Bergamot, are all members of a functional group known as aldehydes. Although aldehydes can be anti-inflammative, sedative, anti-infectious and uplifting, they can also be skin irritants if used undiluted. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you dilute them in a good carrier oil, cream or lotion if you plan to use them dermally.
I personally experienced the skin irritation of aldehydes while experimenting with Lemongrass. The initial contact caused a bright red "rash" on my hand that disappeared within twenty-four hours. A week later, I spilled it again and although the resulting red splotch was more widespread, there was no discomfort at all. This time it took a week to disappear. However, I have since used it diluted in a carrier oil with no side effects at all.
When buying aldehydes, be sure they're contained in dark-colored glass (not plastic) bottles and store them in cool places. Oxidation causes them to become acidic and renders them useless for aromatherapy purposes.
It's always a good idea to do a skin patch test to check for sensitivity when you experiment with an unfamiliar essential oil. Put a small amount of the diluted oil on your wrist and leave it for several hours. Discontinue its use if you have a reaction. As with most essential oils, don't ingest them and keep them out of the eyes. If used properly, however, essential oils are a fabulous way to relax, refresh and enjoy the aroma at the same time.