Imagine strolling through a sunny orange grove, the air alive with the subtle scents of summer blossoms dancing on the breeze. This is the feeling of neroli—a delicate essential oil loved for its captivating aroma, ability to calm the nervous system and remarkable qualities for the skin.
One of the most beautiful floral essential oils is definitely neroli. In my experience, even people who are not a big fan of florals such as rose, or geranium seem to like the scent of neroli essential oil. It’s scent is a gentle floral with a herbaceous hint, reminiscent of fresh outside air in the summertime.
Neroli essential oil is steam distilled from the delicate blossoms of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium), which gives us three different essential oils; neroli from the blossoms, petitgrain from the leaves, and bitter orange from the fruit.
It is said that its name comes from a Princess, Anne Marie Orsini, who live in Nerola, Italy in the mid 17th century. She was known for scenting her gloves, baths and clothes.
Neroli oil is often referred to as “orange blossom,” a fitting name considering its source. While it is cultivated in various regions such as Italy, Morocco, Egypt, France, Tunisia, and the United States, its roots trace back to its native lands of India and southern China. Despite its widespread cultivation, neroli essential oil remains one of the more expensive essential oils on the market. Expense oils can be subject to adulteration. In the case of neroli, twigs and leaves may be added to bump up the yield. Be sure that you know the source of your essential oil to ensure that you are getting essential oil distilled from the flowers.
An Expensive Essential Oil
Neroli essential oil’s hefty price tag reflects its labor-intensive extraction process and limited availability. Depending on the supplier, a mere 15ml bottle of neroli oil can range from $70 to $170, making it one of the more expensive essential oils available. Some suppliers offer diluted versions, such as 3% or 5% neroli in carrier oils like jojoba, which can be a more budget-friendly option. However, regardless of the concentration, it’s crucial for suppliers to disclose to you the carrier oil used.
If the cost of pure neroli oil is prohibitive, you can still enjoy its delightful aroma and skincare benefits by opting for neroli floral water, which can soothe and rejuvenate the skin without breaking the bank.
Calming properties of Neroli
Neroli essential oil can be a powerful remedy in calming the mind and soothing the body. Inhaling its sweet, floral aroma has been shown to have a remarkable effect on lowering blood pressure and alleviating stress. Its ability to relax the nerves and uplift the spirit makes it an invaluable tool for managing anxiety, depression, and intense emotions.
Neroli essential oil’s calming properties extend to the central nervous system, providing support for those in need of emotional stability. Often likened to the soothing qualities of rose oil, neroli is beneficial for individuals prone to feeling alarmed or agitated, offering a renewed sense of hope and tranquility.
Sleep Benefits
This essential oil can promote restful sleep, by easing mental and nervous tension, and even balance mood swings. Use neroli in your diffuser before bedtime. Diffusing neroli oil not only freshens the air but also creates a serene environment conducive to relaxation and inner peace.
Heart Healing
Emotionally, neroli essential oil is a heart healer. Not only can it calm palpitations physically, but it can provide comfort and healing for the broken hearted. It is an uplifting essential oil that can soothe emotional distress.
Beneficial in Massage Blends
You will find neroli to be beneficial in a massage oil for those who need extra TLC due to high stress, anxiety, depression, and shock. Try blending neroli with lavender, orange or roman chamomile.
Skincare
Neroli essential oil is a great addition to your routine when it comes to skincare. It is helpful for all skin types. Neroli is a cooling essential oil, efficient is low dilution. A mere drop can work wonders. Its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties make it a versatile choice for addressing various skin concerns.
Particularly suited for dry, sensitive skin prone to redness, neroli oil acts as a skin healer, soothing irritation and promoting a healthy complexion. With its anti-aging effects, neroli oil is a valuable addition to facial moisturizers and serums, offering toning benefits and aiding in the rejuvenation of mature skin.
Additionally, its gentle nature makes it suitable for conditions like eczema.
Through the steam distillation of the flowers, neroli also produces a hydrosol which can be used as a multi-purpose toner and skin soother for diverse skincare needs.
Essential Oil Safety
As with any new product, make sure that you do a patch test before using neroli on a larger area or on your delicate face. People who are allergic to lavender may also be allergic to neroli. You may also be allergic to neroli if you have an allergy to linalool.
It is always advisable to speak to a trained aromatherapist when using essential oils while pregnant or nursing. Do not use absolutes while pregnant or nursing.
Neroli can be a powerful essential oil. Use it at a dilution of 3% or less in blends.
Recipes
Citrus Bliss Diffuser Blend
Ingredients:
3 drops neroli essential oil
3 drops bitter orange (neroli) essential oil
2 drops petitgrain essential oil
Instructions:
Fill your diffuser with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Add the specified number of drops of each essential oil into the water reservoir.
Place the diffuser in a central location in the room you wish to scent.
Turn on the diffuser and enjoy the uplifting and refreshing aroma as the oils are dispersed into the air.
Feel free to adjust the number of drops based on your personal preference for scent strength.
This Citrus Bliss diffuser blend combines the bright and uplifting citrus notes of neroli, bitter orange, and petitgrain essential oils. It creates a cheerful and energizing atmosphere while also promoting relaxation and mental clarity. Enjoy this invigorating blend in your home or workspace to uplift your mood and refresh your senses!
Calming Neroli Lavender Patchouli Bath Salts
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 3 drops neroli essential oil
- 6 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops patchouli essential oil
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda. Stir well to ensure thorough mixing.
- Add the neroli, lavender, and patchouli essential oils to the salt mixture. Stir again to evenly distribute the oils throughout the salts.
- Transfer the bath salts to a clean, airtight container for storage. Mason jars or glass containers work well for this purpose.
- To use, simply add a generous scoop of the bath salts to warm running bathwater. Allow the salts to dissolve completely before enjoying a relaxing soak in the tub.
- Breathe deeply and unwind as the calming aromas of neroli, lavender, and patchouli envelop you, soothing both body and mind.
These calming bath salts are perfect for unwinding after a long day, promoting relaxation and stress relief. Enjoy the tranquil ambiance and luxurious experience they provide, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Calming Neroli Body Oil Blend
Ingredients:
- 30 ml carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil)
- 3 drops neroli essential oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops chamomile essential oil
Instructions:
- Begin by selecting a clean, glass bottle to mix and store your massage blend.
- Pour the carrier oil of your choice into the bottle. Sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil are all excellent options for massage.
- Add 3 drops of neroli essential oil to the carrier oil. Neroli’s calming properties will help soothe the mind and relax the body.
- Follow with 4 drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender is renowned for its calming and relaxing effects on both the body and mind.
- Finally, add 2 drops of chamomile essential oil. Chamomile further enhances the blend’s calming properties, promoting relaxation and tranquility.
- Seal the bottle tightly and gently shake to mix the oils thoroughly.
- Your calming neroli massage blend is now ready to use. Apply a small amount to the palms of your hands, rub them together to warm the oil, and then massage onto the desired areas of the body with gentle, circular motions.
- Enjoy the soothing benefits of this calming massage blend, allowing the aromatic blend to melt away tension and promote a sense of peace and well-being.
Is neroli edible in very small, diluted doses? The description of its properties are, for lack of a better term, delicious! Curious if a drop or two can be added to baking products or cocktails, or if the idea is ridiculous?
Thank you for your question! It is not advisable to drink essential oils unless you are trained or working with someone who is trained.