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I’ve always been drawn to the way scent carries memory. There’s something deeply grounding about noticing the layers of an aroma and the plant it came from, where it was grown, how it was harvested, and what it brings forward.

That same curiosity led my son Jaren and me to revisit something we hadn’t done in a while: roasting coffee.

He’s been experimenting with it for years. Like essential oils, the results depend on many small decisions. The origin of the beans, the altitude where they’re grown, the soil, the drying method, and the temperature during roasting. All of it matters.

This time, we roasted by hand in a cast-iron skillet. The heat had to be steady. The beans needed to stay in motion. We took turns stirring, watching the color shift and deepen. The aroma grew fuller with every pass of the spoon. What started as a casual project became something more focused. The scent filled the kitchen. Earthy. Warm. Alive.

It reminded me of how the qualities of a single essential oil can shift depending on where and how a plant is grown. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is a perfect example. This oil is cold-pressed from the peel and cultivated in regions like the United States, Spain, southern Italy, Mexico, Brazil, and Egypt. Each origin brings something distinct.

Florida’s oranges tend to smell juicy and bright. Southern Italian oils often carry more depth. There’s a richness to them that feels sun-soaked and slightly rounded. And then there’s wild orange, which is unmistakably bold. Sweet, bright, and full of energy.

Sweet Orange and I go back a long way. It’s one of those oils I’ll never be without. As simple and cheerful as it seems, it continues to reveal new layers every time I reach for it. You’ll find more about it below, along with a link to my latest blog post. You might be surprised at the many varied talents of this cheery citrus.

Every oil tells a story.

What You’ll Discover In This Newsletter:

🔴 LIVE - Essential Oils for Libra Season | Aromatherapy for Balance & Harmony

This air sign brings a focus on balance, beauty, and harmony, and essential oils can help you align with its peaceful energy.

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✅ How to use them for emotional balance, relaxation, and connection
✅ Simple diffuser blends and self-care tips for this harmonious season. Whether you’re a Libra or just want to embrace the calm, creative energy of this time of year, these aromatherapy tips will help you feel centered and grounded.

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Aromatic Creations Recipe

Orange-Infused Coffee

Sometimes aroma reaches us through a drop of oil. Other times, it rises from the kitchen.

Inspired by our recent coffee roasting and the lingering brightness of sweet orange, I want to share a simple recipe that brings both together. It’s an easy way to weave aroma into the day, using ingredients you likely already have on hand. And if you aren’t a coffee drinker, use your favorite hot drink.

Orange-Infused Coffee

This gentle citrus coffee carries the richness of roasted beans and the brightness of fresh zest. The result is smooth, balanced, and uplifting.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (or however much you drink in a serving) of freshly brewed coffee, medium or dark roast

• 1 teaspoon of organic orange zest

• A splash of full-fat coconut milk or cream, if you like

• Maple syrup or honey, to taste, optional

• A tiny pinch of cinnamon or cardamom

Directions

1. While your coffee is brewing, warm the orange zest with your milk or cream in a small pot. This releases the essential oils into the liquid.

2. Strain out the zest for a smooth texture, then add the infused milk to your coffee.

3. Stir in a little maple syrup or honey, and a pinch of spice if you like.

4. Pause and breathe in the aroma before your first sip.

You can also try placing the zest directly in your French press or pour-over filter. The heat from the water will draw out the aromatic oils, adding a soft citrus note to your cup.

Notes of Discovery

Sweet Orange Oil: A Full Profile of Its Benefits & Uses

Sweet orange, Citrus sinensis, is often thought of as a happy, uplifting oil, and for good reason. Its aroma is light and fresh, with a gentle sweetness that feels instantly familiar and comforting. And that’s just the beginning of the beauty sweet orange can bring into our lives. 

In this blog post, I share more about what makes sweet orange so special. We will explore how the oil is produced, its history, and the science behind its therapeutic benefits. I’ll also include ideas on how to use it throughout the day, whether to boost energy, brighten mood, or simply enjoy a moment of aromatic joy.

Product Spotlight

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

_{Origin: Southern Italy}

This sweet orange essential oil is one I’ve sourced for years, and I continue to be impressed by its consistency, quality, and aroma. It comes from a small distillery in southern Italy, where the oranges are grown near the coast in full Mediterranean sun. The oil is cold-pressed from the peel shortly after harvest, and the freshness is immediately noticeable.

The aroma is bright and sweet, true to the fruit. It smells exactly like freshly zested orange peel: crisp, lively, and full of that unmistakable citrus freshness! It’s a scent that’s easy to love and easy to recognize.

While Sweet Orange is often appreciated for its cheerful, uplifting qualities, it also has real therapeutic value. It’s an excellent antispasmodic, particularly helpful for digestive discomfort. I use it often in blends for nausea, cramping, or that unsettled feeling that tends to land in the belly during stress. It works gently and reliably.

This oil is also quite versatile. In addition to digestive support, I reach for it when there’s tension in the body, low mood, or heaviness in the emotional field. It pairs beautifully in blends for immune support and can be used to gently refresh and tone the skin.

Here’s one of my go-to recipes for digestive support. Sweet Orange really shines with the digestion system. I’ve recommended this blend for years, and it continues to be a favorite.

Sweet Orange Belly Oil

• 2 fl oz (60 ml) Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

• 10 drops Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis)

• 6 drops Cardamom Oil (Elettaria cardamomum)

• 6 drops Roman Chamomile Oil (Chamaemelum nobile)

• 2 drops Bergamot Oil (Citrus bergamia)

Combine the ingredients in a 2 fl oz (60 ml) PET bottle with a pop-up cap. Apply to the abdomen using slow, circular movements. This blend is supportive for both digestion and relaxation, and can also be used at bedtime.

Note: Because of bergamot’s phototoxicity, keep the dilution to no more than 2 drops per 1 oz (30 ml) of carrier. This is important if the area the blend is applied to is exposed to the sun or a tanning bed. 

From The Vine

Is Sweet Orange Phototoxic?

There’s a lot of confusion out there about sweet orange and phototoxicity. You’ll often see it grouped in with other citrus oils like bergamot or lemon, which can cause skin sensitivity when applied before sun exposure. But sweet orange is different.

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) is not phototoxic.
Although it’s cold-pressed from the peel like many other citrus oils, its chemical composition does not include the compounds responsible for phototoxic reactions.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• Safe for daytime use on the skin when properly diluted

• A great option for body oils, facial care, and massage blends

• No need for sun exposure restrictions that apply to oils like bergamot (Citrus bergamia) or lemon (Citrus limon)

• Still gentle and effective, with that bright citrus aroma people love

I often see sweet orange misclassified or included in overly broad citrus safety warnings. Whether it’s outdated information or a general assumption, it’s worth clarifying. Sweet orange is a reliable and versatile oil that can be used with confidence, especially in blends where you want that fresh citrus scent without phototoxic concerns.

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Stay Inspired!

A little humor, a little truth! Sweet orange has always reminded me that even small shifts of an aroma, a breath, a blend can change how we move through challenge.