Neroli in Practice: Evidence-Based Benefits for Emotional and Physical Well-being

Neroli (Citrus × aurantium) essential oil is a precious aromatic extract obtained through steam distillation of the small, white blossoms of the bitter orange tree, a resilient evergreen species belonging to the Rutaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and parts of Asia, the bitter orange tree has long been revered not only for its beauty and fragrance but also for its therapeutic value.

Known for its sweet, floral, slightly green aroma with honeyed undertones, neroli oil plays a pivotal role in both perfumery and clinical aromatherapy. Traditionally associated with purity, tranquility, and renewal, neroli has found its place in rituals, medicine, and emotional healing practices for centuries.

Botanical and Aromatic Profile of Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli essential oil is considered a middle note, meaning it forms the heart of an aromatic blend, adding depth while harmonizing both lighter top notes and deeper base notes. Its balanced character makes it a versatile choice in both therapeutic and perfumery applications. Its pale yellow hue and distinctive fragrance pair harmoniously with a broad range of essential oils, including benzoin, bergamot, Virginian cedarwood, geranium, true lavender, lemon, mandarin, rose otto, sandalwood (all species), and ylang ylang, as well as absolutes such as jasmine.

From a safety perspective, neroli essential oil is considered non-toxic, non-sensitizing, and non-phototoxic to the skin. It is generally regarded as safe for topical and aromatic use when properly diluted.

While Citrus × aurantium has not been assessed globally by the IUCN, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the Red List of Vascular Plants of Taiwan, suggesting possible regional conservation concerns. However, no widespread or global threats to its conservation status have been identified to date, and the species remains widely cultivated, supporting its continued availability for therapeutic use.

Chemical Composition of Neroli

Neroli oil (Egyptian and Spanish) contains a high concentration of (–)-linalool (30–54%), a monoterpene alcohol known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties (Fakhry, 2002; Boelens & Boelens, 1997, as cited in Tisserand & Young, 2014). Inhalation of linalool-rich essential oils has been shown in numerous studies to exert anxiolytic effects, support cognitive and emotional balance, and offer antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Additionally, linalool contributes to the oil’s skin-soothing and regenerative properties, making it highly beneficial in dermatological and cosmetic applications.

Clinical Applications of Neroli Essential Oil 

Emotional Support and Nervous System Regulation

Neroli is widely recognized for its calming and anxiolytic effects, supporting the parasympathetic nervous system and helping to regulate heart rate and breathing. Inhalation of neroli essential oil may reduce emotional tension, mitigate nervous palpitations, and assist with insomnia and chronic stress.

Its actions on the central nervous system are partially attributed to linalool which has also been shown to antagonize glutamatergic receptors, inhibit noradrenaline and serotonin receptors, and activate GABA receptors—mechanisms associated with anxiolytic and sedative outcomes (Borba et al., 2021).

A separate study by Chen et al. (2008) confirmed that inhalation of neroli essential oil reduced stress and enhanced emotional resilience by modulating the limbic system, which governs emotional processing in the brain.

Menopausal Symptom Relief

Emerging research has highlighted neroli’s role in menopausal care, where inhalation of the oil was found to alleviate psychological distress, reduce perceived stress, and potentially influence estrogen levels in postmenopausal women (Choi et al., 2014). These outcomes support neroli’s use in addressing hormonal imbalances and mood disturbances during midlife transitions.

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

In preclinical studies, neroli essential oil demonstrated strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Research by Khodabakhsh et al. (2015) showed that it helped:

• Reduce signs of physical discomfort, such as cramping or sharp pain
• Increase pain tolerance, suggesting a calming effect on the nervous system
• Decrease swelling and tissue inflammation, which supports the body’s natural healing process

These results were comparable to those of diclofenac sodium, a standard pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory, indicating that neroli may offer meaningful natural support for managing pain and inflammation.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity

Neroli essential oil has exhibited robust antimicrobial effects against a spectrum of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common multidrug-resistant pathogen. Its antifungal potency was notable, outperforming nystatin in certain evaluations (Ammar et al., 2012).

Additionally, antioxidant testing via the ABTS assay showed moderate radical-scavenging activity, with an IC50 value of 672 mg/L, suggesting a complementary role in combating oxidative stress (Ammar et al., 2012).

Obstetric Care: Pain and Anxiety Relief in Labor

A 2022 randomized controlled trial published in Healthcare investigated neroli essential oil’s effectiveness in reducing pain and anxiety during labor. The study involved 88 participants, with the aromatherapy group demonstrating significantly lower scores in both pain and anxiety compared to the control group.

"The study supports neroli oil as an effective, non-pharmacological method for easing labor-related discomfort and promoting a more positive childbirth experience."
— Scandurra et al., 2022

These findings support the integration of neroli into maternity and obstetric aromatherapy protocols, especially when a gentle, holistic approach is desired.

Key Chemical Constituents and Therapeutic Actions of Neroli Essential Oil

 These chemical constituents are primarily responsible for neroli’s wide-ranging benefits in managing pain, anxiety, inflammation, microbial infections, oxidative damage, and hormonal imbalance.

Phytopharmaceutical and Synergistic Potential

Neroli’s pharmacological properties are further enhanced when formulated with complementary botanicals.

For instance, a study exploring microemulsions with babassu (Attalea speciosa) oil found synergistic enhancement of anti-inflammatory effects, opening avenues for future phytopharmaceutical applications (Bogéa et al., 2024).

Moreover, albumin denaturation assays confirm neroli's capability in reducing protein inflammation markers, supporting its use in anti-inflammatory topical formulations (Jha et al., 2022).

Conclusion

Neroli essential oil is more than an aromatic indulgence; it is a clinically relevant, therapeutically versatile oil with applications spanning emotional support, nervous system regulation, dermatological care, and women’s health. Supported by both tradition and contemporary research, neroli continues to demonstrate value as a safe and sustainable option in holistic and integrative practice.

At Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies, we are committed to advancing the field of aromatherapy through rigorous, evidence-based education. In our Professional Certification Program in Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Science, students gain a comprehensive understanding of essential oils like neroli, from their chemistry and clinical relevance to safe and effective application.

References

Ammar, A. H., Bouajila, J., Lebrihi, A., Mathieu, F., Romdhane, M., & Zagrouba, F. (2012). Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Citrus aurantium l. flowers essential oil (Neroli oil). Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS, 15(21), 1034–1040. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2012.1034.1040

Bogéa, M. do C. M., Almeida, R. de A., Sousa, B. de A. de, Chagas, B. J. R. das, Matos, M. A. A., Guterres, C. . V. F., Mouchrek Filho, V. E., & Everton, G. O. (2024). Potentiation of the anti-inflammatory effect of Attalea speciosa (babassu) oil microemulsions through the incorporation of Citrus x aurantium L. (sour-orange) essential oil. Ciência E Natura, 46, e73684. https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X73684

Borba, C. A., Fernandes, G. V. ., Campos, J. C. ., Silva, T. B. da ., & Gonzaga, R. V. . (2021). Potential action on the central nervous system of neroli oil extracted from Citrus aurantium. Research, Society and Development, 10(13), e418101321447. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i13.21447

Chen, Y.-J., Cheng, F., Shih, Y., Chang, T.-M., Wang, M.-F., & Lan, S.-S. (2008). Inhalation of neroli essential oil and its anxiolytic effects. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.2202/1553-3840.1143

Choi, S. Y., Kang, P., Lee, H. S., & Seol, G. H. (2014). Effects of Inhalation of Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara on Menopausal Symptoms, Stress, and Estrogen in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2014, 796518. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/796518

Cuchet, A., Anchisi, A., Schiets, F., Clément, Y., Lantéri, P., Bonnefoy, C., Jame, P., Carénini, E., & Casabianca, H. (2021). Determination of enantiomeric and stable isotope ratio fingerprints of active secondary metabolites in neroli (Citrus aurantium L.) essential oils for authentication by multidimensional gas chromatography and GC-C/P-IRMS. Journal of Chromatography B, 1185, 123003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.123003

Jha, V., Shaikh, F., Tendulkar, N., Pandya, S., Madaye, B., Gupta, E., Khan, F., Kaur, N., Jain, T., Almeida, S., & Mane, P. (2022). Evaluation of physiochemical properties, thermal behavior and phytopharmaceutical potential of Citrus aurantium’s essential oil. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 33(7), 28–40. https://doi.org/10.9734/EJMP/2022/v33i730479

Khodabakhsh, P., Shafaroodi, H., & Asgarpanah, J. (2015). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrus aurantium L. blossoms essential oil (neroli): involvement of the nitric oxide/cyclic-guanosine monophosphate pathway. Journal of natural medicines, 69(3), 324–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-015-0896-6

Scandurra, C., Mezzalira, S., Cutillo, S., Zapparella, R., Statti, G., Maldonato, N. M., Locci, M., & Bochicchio, V. (2022). The effectiveness of neroli essential oil (Citrus aurantium L.) in relieving anxiety and perceived pain in women during labor: A randomized controlled trial. Healthcare, 10(366). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020366

Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals (2nd ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Article by: Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies

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