I find the smell of orange blossoms rather intoxicating. But that’s just the bonus. The wonderful health and beauty benefits of orange blossom water is the real draw.
What is orange blossom water
It is a byproduct of the distillation of orange essential oil, also known as Neroli oil. This oil is extracted from the pulp, bark, leaves, peel and seeds of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium). Let’s look at its various health and beauty benefits.
6 benefits of orange blossom water for health and beauty
1. Tones the skin
Orange blossom water is a good toner for the skin that works particularly well on oily skin. This is because it contains high amounts of vitamin C and is high in antioxidants. I also like it because it’s so gentle that it is even used in products designed for babies. It also works well on dry skin where it can help rejuvenate the skin back to how it was in your younger years. It does this with its high amount of calcium, and the production of free-radical fighting antioxidants. Free radicals, as you know, can damage cells, causing wrinkles and sagging cheeks.
2. Relaxes nerves, calms anxiety and aids sleep
Orange essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy due to its calming properties. If you don’t want to use the essential oil, you can substitute it with orange blossom water. Add it to your bath water to ease tension and headaches, reduce stress and lower tension. Orange blossoms have been used as a sleeping aid across many cultures.
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3. Acts as a natural perfume
It has a seductive faint scent of orange blossom. You can use it to perfume your body, your hair, skin, clothes — even your bedroom! You can make the scent even stronger by adding a few drops of Neroli essential oil into the mix.
4. Helps maintain oral health
You can use it as a mouthwash to maintain good oral hygiene.
5. It is a natural antimicrobial
Orange blossom water has antimicrobial properties. You may use it to treat cuts, wounds, boils, pimples and so other skin irritations.
6. Orange blossom tea aids digestion
Throughout the Middle East and Levantine cultures, orange blossom water is touted for its digestive properties. In Lebanon, it is common to drink after big meals, where it is called white coffee. Contrary to its name, it contains no coffee or caffeine — only warm water and orange blossom water. It is also served in Turkish coffee cups, which is where it gets its name from.
How to make Orange Blossom Water Mouthwash at home
Mix half a cup of orange blossom water with a few drops of edible peppermint essential oil and two teaspoons of xylitol. Close the bottle and mix well and use when required.
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Safety warning
Health experts consider orange bloom to be safe. Although there have been no instances of intoxication recorded, it’s best to avoid consuming it with any sedative as doing so might cause some reaction. Although nor observed, it is possible that who are susceptible to citrus fruits may experience allergic effects. Avoid consuming orange blossoms tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding as the effects have not been studied. In general, it’s always a good ideas to consult your doctor before starting to use a herb or supplement.
The takeaway
The heavenly scented orange blossoms have been used for ages across many cultures throughout the world. Orange blossom water has a wide variety of uses for health and beauty: massages, skin care, treatment of wounds and cuts, digestion, and sleep aid, to name a few. It’s also considered relatively safe to use by almost everybody.