Known by many names including tangerine and satsuma, Mandarin orange produces an essential oil with different healing properties than common sweet orange essential oil. It contains antiseptic, antispasmodic, laxative, stimulant, sedative, digestive and tonic qualities and may be used for a number of skin and respiratory conditions including acne, oily skin, scares, stretch marks, sports injuries, etc. and sinus problems and congestion. Mandarin has also been used for nervous system problems including poor sleep, tension, restlessness, etc. as well as for aiding the digestion. Traditionally, in France, Mandarin was used for children with digestion problems and today has been found to aid digestive problems including dyspepsia and intestinal problems. A small amount of Mandarin message oil may be messaged over areas of the digestion system to promote release of such conditions.
In addition to the above, Mandarin has been found to release trapped water in the body, including in the case of cellulite and obesity. Adding a few drops of Mandarin essential oil to external commercial products used for cellulite may increase their effectiveness.
Mandarin makes a wonderful, sweet and spicy scent alone or when combined with other essential oils of an exotic nature including ylang, ylang, nerolie (and all other citrus derived essential oils), cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, juniper, cypress, sandalwood, etc. Due to it's pungent scent, a little Mandarin goes a long way! Be careful not to over power other scents when aromatically blending it with other oils. Today, commercially, Mandarin is used in soap making, perfume making (especially men's colognes) and certain cosmetics. It is also used for flavoring foods, soft drinks and hard liqueurs. Native to China where it gets name, Mandarin is now mainly produced in Italy, Spain, Greece, Cypress and other warm, Mediterranean type conditions.
Just as with Orange, people with very sensitive skin may have a problem with it. Always do a patch test before use! Some also point out Mandarin can have a phototoxic effect, where it will cause the skin to interact with direct sunlight. This has not been publicly proven, but one must be mindful.
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