During orange
blossom harvests in Sicily the sweet scent of the white flowers
wraps itself almost caressingly around fragile orange trees
as they offer their shiny orange fruit. In the dreamy midst
of the orange grove I imagine Anna Maria de La Trémoille,
Princess of Nerole, leaning against a tree. In the 17th century
she introduced orange blossom oil to Italian society. Anna Maria
loved the fragrance and used it everywhere—on her gloves,
stationery, lace shawls, and ribbons, and in the bath, among
many other places.
The nobility soon followed her example, and it became fashionable
to surround oneself with orange blossom scent. Thanks to this
fragrant temptation, orange blossom oil was called neroli in
her honor. Neroli has always been one of the most expensive
oils. One ton of orange blossoms is needed to produce 1 quart
of oil. These blossoms can only be picked by hand. The best
oil comes from the bitter orange, Citru.c aurantium ssp. aurantium.
The essential oil neroli bigarade is superior when compared
to oil from sweet orange blossom oil, the Citrus sinensis, called
essential oil of neroli Portugal.
Neroli oil has powerful psychological effects. It is helpful
for treating depression and is used in a similar way as a “rescue
remedy” in Bach flower therapy. It may also be beneficial
for anxiety, depression, or shock. Neroli is one of many natural
tranquilizers. The sweet scent reaches deep into the soul to
stabilize and regenerate. For long-standing psychological tension,
exhaustion, and seemingly hopeless situations, the oil strengthens
and brings relief. For people who have become thin-skinned,
neroli can strengthen their inner being and build a protective
shield. When we are easily angered, the oil helps us shift our
mood to a relaxed state that allows us to experience life with
joy and calm.
Neroli has been assigned to the diamond. Both provide light
that reduces inner emptiness and anxiety. Neroli offers the
gift of strength and courage that helps us see life’s
beauty. Neroli helps treat psychosomatic illness, used in the
aroma lamp, the bath, a compress, or, a massage oil.
Use 5 to 6 drops of the essential
oil overnight in an aroma lamp for psychological relief and
for counteracting insomnia. Massages and baths are beneficial
for premenstrual syndrome. Take a neroli bath every evening
(7 drops of neroli oil in 3 tablespoons of honey), seven days
prior to the onset of menstruation.
Neroli is beneficial for the heart since it regulates heart
rhythm and helps reduce cramp-like nervous heart conditions.
In addition to a bath, it may be used in the aroma lamp, for
a massage, or taken orally—2 drops two to three times
a day. The same dosage helps chronic diarrhea. For exam anxiety,
take 2 drops of essential oil with sugar or honey.
Neroli oil is suitable for every skin type. Since it does
not irritate, it may be used for care and treatment of sensitive
and inflamed skin. The essential oil is also beneficial for
small broken blood vessels under the skin’s surface.
It supports the skin’s renewal process of shedding old
skin and stimulating new cell growth. Thanks to its germicidal
property, neroli is a good deodorant—mixed in alcohol
and water, or added to water used to wash the face.
Neroli, an aphrodisiac, teaches us to like and care for our
bodies. Pamper yourself and your loved ones. A bath or hot
compress will help you forget the day’s worries. are
beneficial for premenstrual syndrome. Take a neroli bath every
evening (7 drops of neroli oil in 3 tablespoons of honey),
seven days prior to the onset of menstruation.
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