The fruit of the orange tree contains the chemical compound monoterpene.
Each type of orange oil contains similar compounds, but amounts of each compound vary depending on the particular type of orange oil. The compounds found in orange oil combine to form a synergistic effect; in other words, the combined effect of several compounds is greater than each individual compound. Orange oil is used to treat digestive and skin care problems; consult a doctor before using orange oil products.
Types
The bitter orange tree produces three different types of orange oil. It is extracted from the fruit, leaves and flowers of the orange tree. Oil extracted from the leaves of the tree is called petitgrain oil, and oil extracted from the flowers of the tree is called neroli oil. However, the oil that is extracted from the fruit of the orange tree is generally referred to as bitter orange oil.
In addition, orange oil is extracted from a different variety of orange tree and called sweet orange oil. According to Julia Lawless in "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils," the sweet orange tree is smaller than the bitter orange tree and the fruits are larger and darker than those produced by the bitter orange tree. Both bitter orange oil and sweet orange oil contain similar chemical compounds.
Monoterpenes
According to Rosemary Caddy, in "Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Color," orange bitter oil contains approximately 90 percent of the chemical compound monoterpene and sweet orange oil contains approximately 85 percent of monoterpenes. Monoterpenes are present in almost every essential oil. According to Shirley Price in "Aromatherapy Workbook," all citrus oils contain a high proportion of terpenes. Monoterpenes are bactericidal, antiseptic, expectorant and stimulating in their actions.
Alcohols
Alcohols are present in between 3 and 5 percent of both bitter and sweet orange essential oil. Alcohols are one of the most gentle chemical compounds found in an essential oil and are not as hazardous as some other essential oil components. Price states that alcohols are anti-viral, bactericidal, stimulating and overall a good general tonic.
Esters and Ketones
Esters account for approximately 2 percent of compounds in bitter orange oil; esters are anti-inflammatory and used to treat skin care problems. Ketones account for approximately 2 percent of compounds in sweet orange oil; ketones are one of the more hazardous compounds present in essential oils, although they are digestive, calming, sedative and analgesic in small quantities.
Other Compounds
There are trace elements of other compounds, such as aldehydes, oxides and coumarins in both bitter orange and sweet orange oil; however, monoterpenes and alcohols are the overriding compounds of both bitter and sweet orange oil. Citrus oils, such as bitter orange oil, are also photo toxic; take care in sunlight when using photo toxic oils. However, Lawless writes that sweet orange oil is generally non-photo toxic, unless the oil is extracted through distillation and not cold expression.
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