Seville or bitter orange is small evergreen tree up to 10 m high, with the dark green double glossy leaves , with the upper leaf much bigger. The fragrance of it's white flowers characterizes intense sweet-floral base and terpeney top note.

The three types of essential oils have been produced from the bitter orange plant: The oil expressed from the outer orange fruit peel(bitter orange), the oil produced by steam distillation of the leaves(petitgrain), and the oil produced by steam distillation of the fresh bitter orange flowers (neroli). Although from the same plant the oils are quite different by chemical composition, physical properties, manner of use and scope of application. For the aromatherapy use most important is oil from the flowers(neroli).

Historical and traditional use:

As long ago as in ancient Rome, flowers of the bitter orange had been decorating the luxurious palaces, as well as the squares during the holidays. In the one period thoughed as official flower of the Roman Kingdom, later it has become an important folk symbol, decoration on the girl's clothes and hair, or irreplaceable bouquet given to the marriage couples during the wedding ceremonies and after that, spread over theirs bed.

The neroli oil had been one among most important ingredients of the original «eau-de-cologne» along with the lavender, lemon , rosemary and bergamot. Neroli absolutum has been used in the high-class perfumery work , and hydrosol in pharmaceutical and cosmetical industry as a natural and safe flavouring agent.

Etymology:

The name «Neroli» originates from the French-born Anna Maria de la Tremoille (1670-1722), princess of Nerola, a village near Rome. She loved the fragrance of the orange flowers, and was the first person to have them distilled , and made her favorite perfume.

Physical properties of oil:

Essential oil is pale yellow mobile liquid which darkens with time becoming pale brown.

In the concentrated form fragrance is so intense that it's bitter-floral note could make it

fairly repulsive, but once it has been properly diluted in the form of massage oil, as a part of

balm or cream, the fragrance becomes recognizable as a one among most desirable and most precious in aromatherapy.

Chemical composition:

The essential oil from the bitter orange flowers contains:

- monoterpenols: linalool 35 %, alpha-terpineol 3,5 %, geraniol 2,6 %, nerol 2 %.

- sesquiterpenols: trans-nerolidol 4,5%, farnesol 1,6%.

- aromatic alcohols: phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol.

- monoterpenes: beta pinene 14%, limonene 15%, myrcen 1,5%,

- trans beta-ocimene 3,5%.

- esters: linalyl acetate 6%, neryl acetate 2%, geranyl acetate 1,3%, methyl anthranilate.

- ketone: jasmone.

Properties and application:

Aromatherapy:

Neroli oil belongs to the group of most precious essential oils in aromatherapy. Recognized by it's typical floral fragrance , neroli acts as a mild hypnotic and euforic. It has been used for anxiety, depression and stress. Neroli provides tranquilizing action to sympathetic nervous system, and helps to treat insomnia and nervous tension. The neroli oil is especially important in elimination of the psychological disturbances of menopause , as well as in treatment of frigidity and impotence. It belongs to the small group of essential oils which could be used safely during the pregnancy, and thus it is esspecially important for preserving of delicate psycho-emotional balance of pregnant, whenever it is necessary to prevent insomnia, regain lost self-confidence, eliminate depression, anxiety as well as diminish possibility of stress or shock.

Local therapy:

Apllied localy on the skin , neroli stimulates renewal of the epithelial cells and surrounding tissue, thus it has been used successfully to prevent striae(stretch marks) formation during the pregnancy, treating of varicose veins, wrinkles and scars removal.

It is especially beneficial for dry and sensitive skin.

The way of appliacation:

For depression, stress, anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension, and possible shock, the best way is to use combine procedure of inhalation and massage as follows:

- Put 3 to 4 drops of the neroli oil on the piece of cloth , place over the nostrils and deeply

and evenly inhale for 5 minutes.

- After that, put 3 drops of the neroli oil on the both temples and on the both sides of neck

and massage slowly for 10 minutes.

- After that, repeat a procedures of the inhalation and massage twice in a half an hour.

To prevent striae(stretch marks) formation the procedure is as follows:

- Twice a day, from second to ninth month of pregnancy, put 12 to 18 drops of the neroli oil

on the broad area of the lower abdomen and slowly by the circular movement, massage

all area for 10 minutes.

For the wrinkles and scars removal:

- Put 5 to 6 drops of the neroli oil, under the eyes , on the cheek-bones, and on the both sides of neck , once in the evening,

and massage for 5 minutes.

Undesirable effects: Not known

Contraindications: Not known