A Scent for Comfort & Joy: Red Mandarin Essential Oil
“The unique gift of mandarin oil is its ability to lighten, open, and soften the emotional heart and reveal the joy buried within.”
Red Mandarin Essential Oil
Red Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil is cold pressed from the peel of fully ripened, mature fruits. The essential oil is an orange-red colour. Its sweet and familiar scent is reminiscent of freshly peeled mandarins.
It is one of my favourite essential oils to use - soft, gentle and joyful.
In this blog post:
discover three positive effects of inhaling Red Mandarin essential oil
learn how to create your own relaxing bath salts for gifting or holiday self-care
But first…if you have Red Mandarin essential oil in your collection, take a moment to acquaint yourself with its fragrance.
Scent Discovery
Put a drop of Red Mandarin on a tissue and inhale the aroma. You may wish to close your eyes while you do this.
Be with the scent.
What do you notice in your body?
Take a break from smelling the aroma and then smell again.
What do you notice in your body? Are there any words, images, or insights that arrive within you?
“Mandarin inspires and encourages our rediscovery of the innocence and radiant joy within all of us.”
Three positive effects of inhaling Red Mandarin essential oil:
The scent of Red Mandarin soothes the nervous system and may help reduce tension and anxiety. The scent has a deeply stabilizing and calming effect on the mind (Holmes, 2016).
It is a great essential oil to diffuse at bedtime as it is relaxing and can be helpful in treating insomnia. This study in 2021 compared the impact of Red Mandarin essential vs. diazepam on the sleep-wake cycle and REM sleep.
The scent is uplifting and encourages us to connect with the radiant joy within us (Keim & Bull, 2008). This 2022 study examined the antidepressant-like effect of the inhalation of Red Mandarin essential oil in mice.
Safety Tips
Non-skin irritant, non-sensitizing if following proper dilutions. Unlike many other citrus essential oils, Red Mandarin is not phototoxic.
Relaxing Mandarin Orange Bath Salts
Treat yourself or a friend to these relaxing mandarin orange bath salts that include dried orange slices. It is such a fun, simple, and aromatic recipe to create. There are two parts to this recipe.
Part One: Drying Orange Slices
Wash and slice the oranges. Wash the oranges thoroughly under running water. Slice the oranges into slices, approximately 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.
Pat the orange slices gently with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step can help speed up the drying process.
Arrange the orange slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure they are not touching or overlapping. This allows for proper air circulation.
For oven drying, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven, around 175 F. Keep the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. Rotate the slices occasionally for even drying. Depending on your oven's temperature and the thickness of the slices, drying may take 2-4 hours or longer.
If you're using a dehydrator, follow the manufacturer's guidelines for drying fruit. Typically, it takes around 4-6 hours, but this can vary.
The orange slices are ready when they are completely dry and slightly translucent. They should still have some flexibility without being sticky. Thicker slices may take longer to dry.
Allow the dried orange slices to cool completely. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Part Two: Relaxing Bath Salts Recipe
1 cup Epsom salt
1/2 cup Himalayan pink salt
1/4 cup Baking soda
5 - 6 dried orange slices
1 TBSP jojoba oil or another plant oil
6 drops Red Mandarin essential oil
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, except the dried orange slices. Once mixed thoroughly, gently fold in the orange slices.
Transfer the bath salts to a glass jar. Flourish the jar with a ribbon if gifting.
I like to use this recipe for one luxurious soak. You can also use it for two baths. It’s up to you!
References
Battaglia, S. (2021). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Volume III - Psyche & Subtle. Australia: Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd.
Keim, J & Bull, R. (2008). Daily Aromatherapy: Transforming the Seasons of Your Life with Essential Oils. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.
Holmes, P. (2016). Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. London: Singing Dragon.
Tisserand, R & Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety. London: Churchill Livingstone
Do not take essential oils internally and do not apply undiluted on the skin. Always consult a professional aromatherapist if you have medical conditions. Use caution when using essential oils with children.
