Description
Neroli essential oil is produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree. Its scent is sweet, honeyed and somewhat metallic with green and spicy facets. This orange, also known as sour orange, is usually too sour to be enjoyed out of hand, but this very same bitterness makes this type of orange much more aromatic than the rest of the orange varieties. Almost all parts of the bitter orange are used to produce beautiful and aromatic materials for the fragrance industry. Neroli essential oil is derived from the peel of a fruit, orange leaves are used in the production of Petitgrain oil, while the delicate white flowers serve in the production of Neroli and Orange Blossom absolute. Orange blossom has deeper and sweet fragrance that strongly reminds of the heady scent of fresh flowers, intoxicating and overwhelming, close to the scent of jasmine.
History
Orange flowers have been used in wedding traditions since the times of ancient China. In Chinese tradition, orange flowers were omens of purity, innocence and moral virtue, but also a symbol of fruitfulness and fertility. Brides of all nations have always worn some kind of a floral embellishment on their wedding day, and the tradition of using orange flowers has spread from the East to Europe, during the times of the Crusaders. Maidens have used fresh orange blossoms to decorate their hair on a wedding day, and this custom was so widespread that the expression “to gather orange blossoms” took completely different connotation by starting to mean “to seek a wife”.
Properties
Orange blossom, which makes the Neroli essential oil, is perhaps best known as a scent used in perfumes and other fragrances. As a trivia, the famous Eau-de-Cologne is traditionally made from this Neroli essential oil. Even the name neroli is related to its use as a perfume. One of the most versatile blossoms, it is also used in making tea, the culinary arts, homeopathic traditions and is even used in a process of making special (and expensive) orange blossom honey. Its therapeutic use has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, but there is some evidence to suggest that it is effective in improving your health even today. While orange blossom has unique characteristics and scent, it does share properties with other citrus blossoms like lemon. Like other flower waters, orange blossom water is a hydrosol. Hydrosols are used for a range of cosmetic purposes and can be found in skin creams, moisturizers, toners, face masks and, of course, fragrances. This powerful essential oil kills bacteria and keeps your body free from a number of microbial infections and toxins. Neroli essential oil works better than any anti-mark cream or lotion. In fact, some herbal anti-mark applications use this essential oil. This causes scars, spots, and after-marks left by acne and pox to fade away.