Mandarin essential oil | Citrus reticulata

Mandarin essential oil | Citrus reticulata

Traditional use: Mandarin oranges are considered some of the healthiest and most popular fruits. They are valued especially for their sweet taste and high content of key nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. However, it is worth knowing that fruits of Citrus reticulata species also have other, non-culinary uses. They are commonly used in the most popular systems of herbal medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, mandarin peel was used as a remedy for chest pain, digestive disorders and cirrhosis of the liver. In European folk medicine, on the other hand, it was used to treat indigestion and hiccups. It should come as no surprise, then, that the essential oil obtained from the peels of ripe tangerine fruit plays an important role in aromatherapy. Its distinctive, sweet fragrance helps to soothe one’s nerves and introduces an atmosphere of blissful relaxation. It alleviates perceived stress, shows a beneficial effect on mood, and in addition, facilitates falling asleep. Moreover, this oil supports digestion by stimulating intestinal peristalsis, while counteracting ailments such as bloating and constipation. It is also an important ingredient in skin care cosmetics. This is because it exhibits antiseptic properties, and therefore helps to cleanse the skin and prevent the development of dermatological infections. Besides that, mandarin oil stimulates the regeneration of the skin, so it can maintain good condition, which also translates into the skin’s healthy appearance.

Occurrence: Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is a perennial plant belonging to the Rutaceae family. Depending on the variety, it can take the form of a large shrub or a small tree. It usually reaches a height of 6 to 8 meters. The plant has multiple short, dark green leaves, while its flowers turn white. The most distinctive feature of Citrus reticulata are the fruits known as mandarin oranges (or tangerines). They are orange in color, have a delicate fragrance and a sweet, sometimes slightly sour taste. They are used to obtain mandarin essential oil, which is common in aromatherapy.

Mandarin is grown in many countries with similar climatic conditions. The plant prefers tropical and subtropical climate zones. It is found primarily in the Mediterranean Basin, Brazil, China, Japan, the southern part of the United States and the Deccan Peninsula. The oil available in our offer comes from Italy.

Biochemistry: Mandarin essential oil contains a number of active compounds responsible for its unique aroma. Among them, particularly noteworthy are substances from the group of monoterpenes, including: limonene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene.

The essential oil available in our store is cold-pressed from the fresh peels of mandarin (Citrus reticulata) fruits obtained from trees grown in Italy. Thanks to that, each drop contains an optimal concentration of active ingredients and a unique aroma.

Fun fact: There are various hypotheses about the origin of the name “mandarin orange”. One of them says that it originated from the name of the island Mauritius located in the Indian Ocean, where mandarins were found. The island was formerly called Mandara. There is also another version, according to which Portuguese merchants, having heard the Malay word “menteri” meaning a high-ranking official, began referring to the orange-dressed Chinese rulers as “mandarim.” Since mandarin oranges initially reached Europe mainly from China, Europeans associated the fruit with that country and used the name proposed by the Portuguese.