Origin: Oranges natively belong to the tropical regions of Asia, especially the Malay Archipelago. Oranges have been cultivated since centuries now. Orange cultivation spread to India from China and then to the east coast of Africa and from there to the eastern Mediterranean region. The Roman invasion, the development of Arab trade routes, and the expansion of Islam contributed significantly to the orange cultivation. while Christopher Columbus was sailing, orange trees were very common in the Canary Islands. Today oranges are grown in subtropical and tropical America, northern and eastern Mediterranean countries, Australia, and South Africa.
Prior to 1920, the orange was only known as a delicious, dessert fruit. Later, the consumption of orange came into light. The growing appreciation of the dietary value oranges made it an important fruit. The most important product made from oranges is frozen concentrate, Essential oils, pectin, candied peel, orange peel zest, and orange marmalade, cosmetics, etc. Sour oranges especially used for making marmalade.
Orange trees are considered auspicious and a symbol of love in many cultures. Brides also wear orange blossom on their hair.
Scientifically: Sweet, juicy, citrusy, oranges make an excellent and healthy fruit to snack on. Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C. An orange has about 60 calories, no fat, no cholesterol or sodium. It is just packed with the right nutrients.
Oranges grow on the small trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus and belong to family Rutaceae. There are a large variety of oranges in the world like sweet orange, sour orange, pomelo, tangerine (mandarin orange), yuzu, lemon, and grapefruit. The orange tree usually reaches a height of about 6m (20 feet). It has dark, broad, medium-sized evergreen leaves and it has white flowers as well. The orange tree grows well in the intermediate type of soil. The orange orchards are planted in well-drained, deep soil. Scientifically, oranges are called Citrus sinensis.
Usage: Oranges are loaded with vitamins and minerals and have great health benefits. Oranges boost your immune system, give you better skin, and even help improve your healthy heart and balance the cholesterol levels. Some research says eating oranges also help in reducing the risk of respiratory diseases, certain cancers, arthritis, ulcers, and kidney stones. The fiber in oranges helps by keeping blood sugar levels under control and makes for a great snack for diabetic patient. Oranges are also a rich source of carotenoid, vitamin A in them helps in improving eye health.
The vitamin C in oranges work excellent for the human skin and hair. The anti-oxidants in oranges also help to protect skin from free radical damage known to cause signs of aging.
The Natural oils in Oranges help to moisturize the overall body, providing softer healthier-looking skin for a longer time. The antioxidants in oranges slow down the production of wrinkles and stop premature aging. Oranges have a high content of citric acid which aids in skin exfoliation and helps to dry out acne, improving the overall look of your skin. Orange peel works great in removing cellulite, so grind orange peel and use as a body scrub in your daily beauty regime for a healthy-looking glow. Eating oranges helps in the production of collagen and elastin which keeps your skin looking younger.
DIYs with orange are listed below:
- Take 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder and 1 tablespoon of yogurt. Mix well. Apply on face and wash off after 20 minutes to get clear, fresh, and firm looking skin.
- Extract juice from 2-3 oranges. Mix this juice with your bathing water and soak your body in it for 15-20 minutes. This helps in rejuvenation of the skin and boost collagen.
- Extract orange juice and apply on the face as a toner. It helps in tightening of the skin and fights acne as well.
- Take a tablespoon of orange peel powder and add 1 tablespoon of oatmeal and a teaspoon of walnut powder. Then add 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Add some more oil, if required. Mix all the ingredients together. Massage on the body in the circular motions or on the areas where you have cellulite. It removes all the dead skin and gives soft and nourished skin.
- Take 1 tablespoon of orange juice, 1 tablespoon of multani mitti (fuller’s earth) and then add a teaspoon of rose water to it. Mix together and apply on the face and neck and back. Rinse when almost dry. This face pack will deep cleanse your skin and controls sebum production.