The very soothing neroli essential oil is produced from the bitter orange flower Citrus aurantium. It is used in olfactotherapy and perfumery, a little less in aromatherapy because of its high cost.
Neroli oil effective against stress and anxiety
“The orange blossom scent of neroli essential oil is strongly associated with purity, childhood” informs Dr. Françoise Couic-Marinier, Doctor of Pharmacy, specialist in aromatherapy and phytotherapy. She explains that it is this olfactory notion that gives it a soothing, anti-stress effect. “It is also effective in case of depression” she informs.
► Tips for use: diffuse 2 drops of neroli essential oil in a water vapor diffuser. “The ideal is to use it with Sweet Orange essential oil, the effects of which are synergistic with those of Neroli essential oil.” recommends our specialist. You can also put some 2 drops on the inside of the wrists and breathe.
Neroli oil for better digestion
Neroli oil is also effective for help digestion. “It is particularly useful in case of digestive problems related to stress, in adults and children” informs Dr. Couic-Marinier
► Tips for use: Put 1 or 2 drops of neroli HE on a neutral tablet, a small biscuit or in a teaspoon of vegetable oil. It is also possible to massage the belly in a circular way with neroli essential oil diluted in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.
Neroli essential oil, good for the skin
“This essential oil loosens the features if you have wrinkles of expression. It is also a good regenerator and skin moisturizer“explains Dr. Couic-Marinier.
► Tips for use: “for daily care, dilute this HE of neroli to 1% (about 15 drops for 30 ml of vegetable oil) in Jojoba vegetable oil if you have combination skin an argan oil if your skin is dry” recommends Dr. Couic-Marinier
Neroli oil to help overcome a difficult passage, bereavement
“In olfactotherapy, this essential oil is effective in helping to overcome a bereavement (children who lose a loved one, parents who lose a baby, etc.). Experiments have been carried out in maternities for parents whose babies have died and have shown its effectiveness” informs Dr. Couic-Marinier. Neroli essential oil is a harmonizing that can help children during the divorce their parents or to strengthen parent-child bonds.
► Usage: put 1 to 2 drops of neroli essential oil on the inside of the wrists and breathe You can put in a roll-on 10 drops of neroli essential oil in 10ml of apricot kernel oil, for example, and apply to the internal face of the piglets several times a day.
Can I use neroli essential oil when pregnant?
Neroli oil can be used during pregnancy as it is one of the sweetest essential oils. This is also the case with mandarin and grapefruit essential oils. It is recommended to use the recommended minimum quantities.
Watch out for its smell! “If it doesn’t smell good, it can burn the skin”
Can it be replaced with another oil?
Neroli oil has one significant downside: its price, more than 6000 euros per kilo. It takes 50 euros for 2 or 3 ml of neroli essential oil. Also, Dr Couic-Marinier suggests using essential oil of bitter orange small grain, which comes from the same citrus fruit, but orange leaves and not flowers like neroli. This has a less pleasant smell but is effective for same directions than neroli essential oil. Namely: there are mixtures of neroli HE and bitter orange petit grain HE, less expensive than pure neroli essential oil.
Precautions and contraindications
“Neroli essential oil is very mild and can be used for babies from 3 months old“ informs Dr Couic-Marinie This essential oil has no no contraindications apart from nerolidol allergy, an allergen. It is necessary to test its tolerance as for all essential oils before use by applying a drop of essential oil in the crook of the elbow to see if there is no reaction. Watch out for its smell! “If she don’t smell good, she can burn the skin because there was a reaction with the oxygen in the air (peroxidation)” indicates Dr. Couic-Marinier. Neroli HE has the advantage not to be photosensitizing. You can therefore apply it to the skin before exposing yourself to the sun!
Thanks to Dr. Françoise Couic-Marinier, Doctor of Pharmacy, specialist in aromatherapy and phytotherapy and author of the books The living earth guide to essential oils, 2020 and Aromathérapsy, better living your emotions with essential oils, hypnosis and meditation, to Living Earth Editions, 2021.