10 Amazing Benefits Of Orange Blossom Water

While you might be aware of the commonly used rose water and its many applications, have you ever wondered about orange blossom water benefits? As its name suggests, orange blossom water is made from distilling orange blossoms, similar to rose water. Though not as common, orange blossom water is gaining usage and popularity in both the food and beauty industries equally! With its intense aroma, taste, and natural nutrients, it can not only make tea, ice creams, cakes, and cookies more delectable but can also help improve your skin tone and alleviate several other health concerns. Read on to learn more about orange blossom water benefits, usage, and applications.

Know Your Ingredient: Orange Blossom Water

What Is It?
A type of water made through steam distillation of orange blossoms.

What Are Its Benefits?
It conditions the hair, promotes sleep, and tones, soothes, and softens the skin.

Who Can Use It?
All except those who are allergic to citrus plants.

How Often?
It can be used daily for topical application on the skin.

Caution
Avoid using it with sedative drugs to prevent any possible interaction. Pregnant and lactating mothers should use it after consultation with the doctor.

Orange Blossom Oil – A Brief

Orange blossom oil is also known as neroli essential oil. Orange blossom water or orange flower water is obtained by exploiting certain fractions of the oil’s hydrophilicⁱ  Something that tends to dissolve, mix with, absorb, or get saturated in water or that tends to be attracted to water qualities (1). Like rosewater and other flower waters, it is widely used in cosmetics, aromatherapy as well as in cooking.

Did You Know?

Neroli essential oil was discovered by Anne Mari Orsini, the princess of Nerola (Italy), in the 17th century. She often used it to perfume her gloves and her bath.

Benefits Of Orange Blossom Water

Here are some of the orange blossom water benefits and uses:

1. Tones The Skin

Orange blossom water is known for its wonderful effects on the skin. It is a great toner for oily skin. This flower water is so gentle that it is even used as an ingredient in products made for babies. Replace your toner with this all-natural one, but make sure that you purchase orange flower water made from natural and pure distillations.

2. Soothes And Relaxes Nerves

One of the reasons orange blossom water is so widely used in aromatherapyⁱ  The application of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing, to treat illness and improve appearance. is the soothing effect it has on the nerves. Adding it to your bathwater will ease tension, aid in relaxation, and even treat headaches. It also helps in relieving stress and anxiety (2).

Quick Tip

You can mix your orange blossom water with 2 cups of milk and 3 tablespoons of honey. Add this mixture to your bath to get relief from stress.

3. Makes Skin Soft And Smooth

Another benefit of adding orange flower water to your bath water is its ability to make your skin clean, and refreshing (3). It will help moisturize your skin and make it feel like satin all day long. All you need to do is add ¼ cup of this amazing flower water, 3 tablespoons of honey, and 2 to 3 cups of warm milk to your bath water to get beautiful, soft skin.

Annie Le, a beauty, fashion, and skincare blogger, shared her experience of creating a simple yet effective DIY facial cleanser. Her oil cleanser recipe consists of just three ingredients: 100% pure aloe vera juice, orange blossom water, and extra virgin olive oil. She writes, “I love using this cleanser! Even as the first step when I double cleanse, I find my skin more supple and less irritated, especially when I use a harsher facial wash (i).”

4. Settles Upset Tummies

In the Middle East, orange blossom water is used in a wide variety of ways. Children are given this beneficial flower water as a natural treatment for indigestion (3). It is known to work wonders, making it a great natural and safe remedy.

5. Soothes Redness And Irritations

As mentioned earlier, orange blossom water has fantastic effects on the skin. It is especially good for sensitive and oily skin types. It helps in soothing skin irritations and reduces the redness that comes with irritated skin. If your skin is prone to problems, try orange blossom water as an effective remedy.

6. Heals Pet Wounds

As you have read, orange flower water is so mild that it is even used in the making of baby skincare products. It is due to this gentleness that it can be used on animals. If your pet has a wound, you can use this water to help it heal faster.

7. Soothes Sunburns

Orange blossom water, and other flower hydrosols, can be found in a wide range of skin lotions and creams due to their ability to help skin look and feel soft and beautiful. Your skin can benefit from this flower water when it gets sunburnedⁱ  A condition in which the skin develops rashes or red patches and becomes itchy due to prolonged exposure to the sun. as well. Its mild effect will help in soothing the burn and reducing the redness on your skin.

8. Conditions Hair

Orange blossom water is also used in many hair care products. Not only does it smell absolutely amazing, but it also provides quite a few benefits. It helps in conditioning your hair so that it is lustrous and strong. Orange blossom water also makes your hair shiny.

9. Freshens Air

One of the best things about orange blossom water is its beautiful fragrance. When you have it at home, you do not need a commercial air freshener. Just pour a couple of teaspoons of this flower hydrosol into a bowl of water and let its natural perfume fill every room in your home.

10. Promotes Sleep

You have already learned that the scent of orange blossom water has a calming effect. This is great for people who have insomnia (1). All you need to do is drop a small amount on your bed sheet to let it take effect and help you drift off to a sweet, restful slumber. Just remember to sprinkle it on a small corner of your sheet as orange blossom water can stain certain fabrics.

Aside from the above benefits and uses, you can also use orange blossom water in the following ways:

Uses Of Orange Blossom Water

1. You can use it as a gentle hydrating agent to add moisture to the skin. It doesn’t clog the pores and is suitable for all skin types.
2. Use it as a refreshing body splash after a shower to keep your skin feeling cool and revitalized.
3. Its pleasant fragrance makes it a natural choice as a perfume ingredient. Dab a bit on your pulse points for a subtle and refreshing scent to wear all day.
4. You can incorporate it into your DIY cosmetics, such as face masks, creams, and lotions to harness its skin-friendly benefits.
5. You can soak cotton pads or a soft cloth in it to serve as a soothing eye compress to reduce puffiness and rejuvenate tired eyes.

You can also use orange blossom water in your recipes. Learn more about it in the section below.

Culinary Uses Of Orange Blossom Water

Orange blossom water can add a delicate floral aroma and flavor to a variety of dishes. Here are some popular culinary uses:

• Add a few drops of orange blossom water to cake batter, frosting, or pastry dough.
• Incorporate orange blossom water into ice cream or sorbet.
• Add a touch of orange blossom water to pudding or panna cotta.
• Add a few drops of orange blossom water to tea or coffee.
• Use orange blossom water as a mixer in cocktails like margaritas, mojitos, or daiquiris.
• Add a splash of orange blossom water to lemonade or iced tea.
• Orange blossom water can be used to flavor syrups and sauces, such as simple syrup or chocolate sauce.

Infographic: Perks Of Using Orange Blossom Water For Skin

Citrus plants are packed with potent antioxidants, vitamins, anti-inflammatory properties, and beneficial compounds that offer several benefits. It should come as no surprise that orange blossom water can be the revitalizing component your skin has been searching for.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of using orange blossom water to achieve healthy and glowing skin.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better – rose water or orange blossom water?

It depends on your skin type. Rose water is good for dry and sensitive skin, while orange blossom water is good for oily skin.

Can I drink orange flower water?

Yes. However, you must dilute it – mix two tablespoons of orange blossom water in a glass of water and drink.

Is orange blossom water astringent?

Yes. Citrus species are known for their astringent properties (4).

Does orange blossom water need to be refrigerated?

No. Just store it in an air-tight container and keep it in a cool, dry place. Check the label for storage instructions.

Does orange blossom water contain alcohol?

No. Natural orange blossom water is distilled from bitter orange blossoms and is alcohol-free.

Illustration: Amazing Benefits Of Orange Blossom Water

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Unleash the refreshing essence of orange blossom water. Watch this video to explore the versatile uses and delightful benefits of this fragrant elixir.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Tracy TredouxDipION, mBANT, CNHC, IFMCP

   

Tracy is a fully qualified nutritional therapist with 10 years of experience specializing in gut and immune health. She is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and a certified Functional Medicine Practitioner from the Institute of Functional Medicine.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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