NutriCitrus™

Citrus Extracts Oil - Natural Citrus Oil Blend.
50 ml.

Potential Benefits Include: Multi-use, topical, as well as, ingestible, antifungal, antimicrobial, mood lifter, unisexual skin fragrance, insect repellant.

Suggested Use: Take 4-6 drops with 4-6 oz of water with OxyVIbes, throughout the day.

Additional Information: NutriValu's NutriCitrus is a wonderful blend of citrus essential oils. NutriCitrus contains a proprietary blend of the essential oils of orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and tangerine.

Essential oils are the oldest and among the most powerful therapeutic agents known to mankind. Numerous Judeo-Christian manuscripts and religious texts repeatedly extol the use of essential oils for every kind of ailment “from gout to a broken head” [1]. Sandalwood, Lotus, and Myrrh essential oils were used by the Egyptians for purification and embalming. In fact, ancient Egyptian society measured personal wealth in essential oils, not money.

With the introduction of modern industrial biochemicals, over the last two centuries, nearly buried interest and research in natural therapeutic agents such as essential oils. Approximately two decades ago, on the heels of the new, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, practitioners began rediscovering the anti-inflammatory, hormonal balancing, broad spectrum antibacterial and antiviral, and psychological therapeutic effects of essential oils. At last, scientific validation is reaffirming what the ancients knew. For example, recent research documents that most viruses and fungal forms cannot live in the presence of essential oils rich in phenols, carvacrol, thymol, and terpenes.

Essential oils are subtle, volatile liquids which are extracted or distilled from plant parts, including flowers, stems, bark, seeds, and roots. Essential oils are chemically complex consisting, often, of hundreds of chemical compounds that are oxygenating and that assist in transport of nutrients to the body's cells. Essential oils are highly concentrated and are many times more potent than dried herbs. It actually can take tons of raw material to produce a few ounces of the essential oil.

Classification of essential oil constituents breaks down into five categories: 1) Carbohydrates, i.e. monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, sugar alcohols, and cyclitols, 2) Lipids, i.e. organic acids, fatty acids, and lipids, 3) Hydrocarbons and Derivatives, i.e. acetylenes and thiophenes, 4) Nitrogen Containing Constituents, i.e. amino acids, purines, proteins, peptides, alkaloids, phenolics, coumarins, flavonoids, flavones, isoflavones, etc. (the list is extensive), and 5) Terpenoids, i.e. monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpene lactones, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, saponins, steroid saponins, phytosterols, and carotenoids.

The last group, terpenoids, for the last decade especially, is receiving significant attention in the scientific research community. The following chart will help to understand the therapeutic significance of terpenoids.

Therapeutic Properties:

1. Monoterpenes [2]
   1. Antiseptic, immune system stimulant
   2. Bactericidal, antiviral, anti-infective
   3. Maybe:
      1. Analgesic
      2. Expectorant
      3. Decongestant
      4. Stimulant
   4. Good general tonic, uplifting, warming, balancing
2. Sesquiterpenes (sesqui – meaning half again as much – so sesquiterpenes have a molecular formula one and one half times a monoterpene [2a])
   1. Antiseptic
   2. Antibacterial
   3. Anti-inflammatory
   4. Calming
   5. Some may be analgesic and antispasmodic
3. Diterpenes (made up of two or more monoterpenes – are not common in essential oils as their higher molecular weight and boiling point prevents collection in the distillation process, more likely to occur in resins)
   Certain diterpenes have been described as [2b]:
   1. Antifungal
   2. Possibly expectorant and purgative
   Important biological compounds derived from diterpenes include gibberellic acid, a plant growth hormone.

NutriCitrus contains:

Orange oil composed of 90 - 92% monoterpenes; limonene (90%), esters; aldehydes; coumarins and furocoumarins; flavonoids; ß -carotene; steroids; and acids. The properties of orange oil are:

• Calming
• Sedative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-tumoral [3,4]
• Cardioprotective [5]

Lemon oil contains monoterpenes; limonene (54 – 72%), sesquiterpenes; coumarins and furocoumarins; flavonoids; carotenoids; and steroids. The properties of lemon oil are:

• Anti-infectious
• Disinfectant
• Anti-bacterial (spores)
• Antiseptic
• Antiviral
• Improves microcirculation
• Promotes white cell formation
• Improves immune system function

Tangerine oil contains the chemical constituents limonene, a-pinene, ß-pinene, mycene, linalol, nerol, and ?-cymene. Its actions: [6]

• Promotes happiness
• May dissolve cellulite
• May improve circulation
• Alleviate digestive disorders
• Aid in anxiety and nervousness
• Aid in insomnia
• Anti-parasitical
• May be beneficial in certain liver disorders
• Mixed with lavender oil, can assist with stretch marks
• May reduce fluid retention

Lime oil is quite similar to orange and lemon oil so there is little investigation specific to lime oil. However, synergistic component qualities suggest value of the addition of lime oil to NutriCitrus. The flavor and aroma are valuable also.

Grapefruit oil contains monoterpenes [limonene (96-98%)], aldehydes, coumarins, and furocoumarins. The action of these compounds include, antiseptic, disinfecting, detoxifying, and diuretic. Like many cold pressed oils, it has a unique fat dissolving characteristic. Topically, it is exceptionally cleansing for oily skin. Psychologically, it serves as an antidepressant and provides emotional uplift. Indications are to use topically as a wash and cleanse for acne, cellulite, and internally as a digestive aid and to reduce fluid retention.

Some studies suggest that grapefruit oil may be beneficial in drug withdrawal, eating disorders, migraine headaches, and pre-menstrual tension and stress. There may, also, be benefit in cleansing of the lymphatic and vascular systems.

The potency of essential oils is dependant on location of growth, the time of harvest of raw materials, method of extraction, and storage conditions. Natural elements, such as heat and light, can affect shelf life and potency.

Individuals with medical issues, under a doctors care, pregnant or nursing mothers should consult a professional healthcare provider regarding personal use.

NutriCitrus should not be used topically on skin exposed to the sun within one hour of application. NutriCitrus can be used topically, may be added to message oils such as almond oil or emu oil and may be taken internally by mixing a few drops in water. Please shake well and vigorously mix in water before consumption. All the ingredients in NutriCitrus are on the GRAS list and are pharmaceutical quality.

References:

1. Essential Oil Desk Reference , Essential Science Publishing, May 2000, page xi.
2. Essential Chemistry for Safe Aromatherapy , Sue Clark, Harcourt Publishing Ltd., 2002:page 47.
   1. Ibid., page 47.
   2. 2b) Ibid., page 51.
3. Crowell PL, Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, Prevention and Therapy of Cancer by Dietary Monoterpenes , The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, The Journal of Nutrition - Supplement, 1999;129:775-778.
4. He L, Huanbiao M, Hadisusilo S, Qureshi AA, Elson CE, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706; * Department of Chemistry, University of Indonesia, Depok, Jakarta, Indonesia; and Advanced Medical Research, Madison, WI 53719, Isoprenoids Suppress the Growth of Murine B16 Melanomas In Vitro and In Vivo , American Society for Nutritional Sciences, The Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 127 No. 5 May 1997, pp. 668-674
5. Mennen LI, Sapinho D, de Bree A, Arnault N, Bertrais S, Galan P, Hercberg S, UMR INSERM unit 557/INRA unit 1125, Institut Scientifique et Technique de la Nutrition et de l'Alimentation, ISTNA-CNAM and Unité de Surveillance et d'Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, InVS-CNAM, 75003 Paris, France, Consumption of Foods Rich in Flavonoids Is Related to a Decreased Cardiovascular Risk in Apparently Healthy French Women , The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, The Journal of Nutrition 134:923-926, April 2004.
6. Essential Oil Desk Reference , Essential Science Publishing, May 2000, page 73.

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