Have you been feeling sad lately? A condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about half a million people each winter, according to statistics. This can sometimes make people feel very sad and make them gain weight. Many of us feel a little sad because we are still getting used to the new schedule.
What makes me feel this way? When we get less sunlight, our brain chemicals can become out of whack, making us feel more tired, cranky, and likely to eat more. People often call it "The Winter Blues."
I tend to feel it when we turn the clocks back in October, and it stays with me until spring.
Even animals feel this change in the seasons. The urge to go into hibernation is very strong.
What can we do to cheer ourselves up? Think of orange!
Yes, Aromatherapy's sweet citrus Essential Oils can help you. All citrus oils will help, but orange is my favourite pick-me-up. Grapefruit comes in close second.
How can we make this part of our everyday lives? We can easily put a diffuser with orange essential oil on our desk or work area and let the oil spread out. Orange Essential Oil can also be added to dish soap and other cleaners. It works well to clean up.
Don't put cold-pressed citrus oils on your skin, because it could make you more sensitive to the sun. Even though there isn't as much sunlight in the winter, there are still some UV rays, so it's best to stay away from citrus oils.
Adding a few drops of cinnamon to the orange in the diffuser makes a lovely, warm, wintery scent.
So, remember: If you're feeling blue, think orange!
The chart below shows the different things about Orange Essential Oil.
Orange
Citrus sinensis
Rutaceae family
Cold-pressed
Part: Peel
Harvest: December, January, and February in Florida; January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November, and December in California; October and November in Israel; May and June in South Africa.
Color: from orange-yellow to dark orange
Sweet, citrusy, fruity, and fresh-smelling.
Important:
Depending on the dose, it either wakes you up or puts you to sleep.
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Cleansing, Happiness, Physical Energy, and Magical Energy
Chakra: 7th (Spiritual Chakra)
It is grown in Sicily, Israel, Spain, California, Florida, France, Cypress, and China. A small tree with fruit that is bright orange. The peel and juice make an oil that isn't as good. Born in China.
History says that Franciscan monks brought the orange tree to the west coast of the United States, where they started to grow it.
A small chance of phototoxicity.
Blends well with: Black Pepper *, Cinnamon leaf **, Clary Sage ****, Clove *, Cypress *, Frankincense **, Geranium *, Ginger *, Grapefruit *, Jasmine *, Juniper Berry *, Lavender ***, Lemon **, Mandarin **, Myrrh ***, Niaouli *, Nutmeg **, Petigrain *, Rose *, Rosemary **, Tea Tree *, Ylang Ylang **.
The main chemical parts are:
90 percent monoterpenes: Mostly acids, limonene, bergapten, and auraptenol
It is antiseptic and kills germs.
Anxiety ***, Astringent *, Cellulite *, Colds/Flu *, Constipation ***, Depression ****, Digestion ****, Fever *, Female Complaints **, High blood pressure **, Irregular heart beat *, Insomnia ***, Mouth ulcers *, Nervousness *****, Shock *, Stress/Tension *, Water Retention *, Weight Loss *.
Emotionally, it helps people express their feelings, heals emotional memories, calms hysteria, and clears their minds.
