Mandarin Essential Oil

Latin name: Citrus NobilisPart of the plant used: fruit peelSource: ItalyExtraction method: Cold ExpressioTangerine essential oil is obtained from Citrus Reticulata, by cold compression of the peel. Petitgrain mandarin oil is also extracted in small quantities by steam distillation of the leaves and twigs. The oil is golden, yellow-orange, and has the scent of a fresh orange. A whole group of citrus fruits fall under the tangerine umbrella, including Satsuma, Clementine, Dancy, Honey, Pixie, and tangerines. This oil is very gentle and is therefore said to be used to treat even children and pregnant women, one of the few oils that are used in this way. With its tonic and stimulating effect on both the stomach and liver, it is useful for digestive problems. Tangerine oil is also useful for treating acne, oily skin, and blemishes. It is also supposed to help relieve problems such as fluid retention and obesity. The oil, diluted about 1-2% in a carrier oil, is gently massaged onto a child's tummy to relieve tummy pain. A few drops in the bath calms hyperactive children. Used in an oil burner, it dispels depression and relieves anxiety. Mandarin oranges are so named because they were traditionally offered as gifts to tangerines from China. In France, mandarin is considered a safe remedy to treat indigestion in children and for the elderly, as it helps strengthen the digestive system and liver. Native to southern China and the Far East, the mandarin was brought to Europe in 1805 and to America in 1845.