Benefits of Placing Citrus Fruits in a Room
Introduction to Citrus Fruits:
Citrus fruits have a fragrant smell that can help clear the mind and freshen the air. In the transition between winter and spring, when there is less ventilation in the room, the air becomes stagnant and bacteria tend to accumulate. Placing an orange in the bedroom can stimulate the nervous system, making one feel refreshed and revitalized, while also purifying the air and improving the indoor environment.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the aromatic scent of oranges can help dispel dampness, invigorate the spleen, ward off impurities, and clear the mind. In addition to its refreshing and invigorating effects, smelling oranges can also alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and bloating when one has no appetite. The pleasant aroma of citrus fruits can also have a calming and soothing effect, making it beneficial to place oranges by the bedside for better sleep. The soft color of oranges also creates a warm atmosphere, making them a perfect decorative element in any room.
How can we make a small orange fill the room with its fragrance?
It is suggested to place orange peels on heaters, as the heat will help release the fragrance.
Aside from oranges, there are also many other fruits with aromatic scents, such as apples and bananas, which can also have a certain impact on purifying the indoor environment. However, these scents can only serve as complementary means for maintaining health and need to reach a certain concentration.
Main Value:
Nutritional Benefits
Citrus fruits contain more than 30 beneficial substances for the human body, including flavonoids, monoterpenes, coumarins, carotenoids, alcohols, alkaloids, and lipids.
Flavonoids Citrus fruits contain three types of flavonoids: Type I includes general flavonoids such as rutin; Type II includes specific flavonoids found in citrus fruits, such as naringin and hesperidin; Type III includes unique flavonoids with polymethoxy groups that have not yet been found in other fruits and vegetables.
Carotenoids It is well known that many vegetables and fruits contain carotenoids, which play an important role in human health. Research on the physiological functions and mechanisms of carotenoids has led to the development of some health food products that are now produced on an industrial scale. Coumarins The coumarins found in citrus fruits have been confirmed by scientists as anticancer substances. Research shows that coumarins have two main ways of inhibiting cancer: one is through the detoxification of carcinogens by enzymes, and the other is by antagonizing and inhibiting the activation of carcinogens. These two effects primarily occur during the initiation stage of cancer.
Monoterpenes and Sesquiterpenes Citrus fruits contain a large amount of terpenes, with limonene being the most representative. Terpenes are the substances that give citrus fruits their unique aroma. They have a calming effect on the central nervous system and have been shown to reduce stress and fatigue. Limonoids Limonoids are bitter compounds found in citrus juice, with a content of about 100-200ppm in citrus fruits. However, research has found that limonoids also have the function of inhibiting tumors.
Other Chemical Components These refer to three compounds found in citrus fruits: phenylpropanols, alkaloids, and glycolipids. Oranges are a treasure trove, as their flesh, peel, seeds, and vascular bundles can all be used medicinally. The dried outer peel of an orange is called "Chenpi" (named so because aged peels have better medicinal effects). The white network of fibers on the surface of the orange's flesh is called "Jueluo" and contains a certain amount of vitamin P, which has the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving phlegm, regulating qi, and alleviating stagnation. The bitter, non-toxic orange seeds have the function of relieving pain by regulating qi and can be used to treat conditions such as hernias and back pain. Even the roots and leaves of the orange tree can be used medicinally, with different functions such as soothing the liver, invigorating the spleen, and harmonizing the stomach.
Medicinal Use
Pharmacopoeia
[Dai Medicine] Mazhuang: The fruit is used for pediatric diarrhea, insomnia, and fever according to "Banna Dai Medicine" and "Dai Medicine". Mazhuang (Xidai): The fruit and juice are used for pediatric diarrhea, insomnia, and fever according to "Yunnan Materia Medica". Mazhuang: The fresh fruit is used for pediatric diarrhea, insomnia, and fever according to "Dai Medicine Records".
[Water Medicine] Bigangju, orange peel: The peel is used for relieving qi stagnation and pain according to "Water Medicine".
[Achang Medicine] Chenpi: The peel is used for stomach distention, vomiting, belching, and cough with phlegm according to "Dehong Materia Medica".
[Deang Medicine] Bieliangwa: Similar function to Achang medicine according to "Dehong Materia Medica".
[Jingpo Medicine] Zechuigvuq: Similar function to Achang medicine according to "Dehong Materia Medica".
[Mong Medicine] Juriyin-halisu: The peel is used for stomach distention, vomiting, belching, cough with phlegm; the seeds are used for treating breast cancer, hernia pain, testicular swelling and pain; the fibrous vascular bundles of the inner peel are used for cough with phlegm, chest and rib pain; the tender fruit is used for chest and abdominal distention, pain in the sides, mastitis, and hernia pain according to "Mong Medicine".
[Miao Medicine] Outer peel of young or unripe fruit: Used for chest and rib pain, abdominal pain due to food stagnation, mastitis, hernia, chest and epigastric distention, belching, vomiting, cough with phlegm according to "Xianglan Examination".
[Tujia Medicine] Qieweitaba: The peel is used for abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, food stagnation, and shock according to "Tujia Medicine".
[Lisu Medicine] Yaguzhi Majiu: The peel is used for stomach distention, vomiting, cough with phlegm according to "Nujiang Materia Medica".
[Kino Medicine] Mazhuazeng: The peel is used for mastitis, hernia pain, testicular swelling and pain, stomach and abdominal pain, vomiting, cough with phlegm; the cortex is used for treating colds and cough according to "Kino Medicine".[9]
Citrus fruits have medicinal value. Since ancient times, orange peels, bitter oranges, dried tangerine peels, and green tangerine peels have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern pharmacological research has found that orange peels contain higher levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, and vitamin P compared to the flesh of the fruit.
Orange peels also contain thiamine, riboflavin, volatile oils, and flavonoids. The volatile oils in orange peels can stimulate the digestive system, increase gastric secretion, promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, and invigorate the stomach and eliminate wind. Flavonoids have the ability to dilate coronary arteries and increase coronary blood flow. In addition, orange peels have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, and choleretic effects. The vitamin P in orange peels can be extracted and made into injections, which have significant therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis. Orange peels also contain synephrine and N-methyltyramine, which have hypertensive effects.
Scientists have also discovered an anticancer substance extracted from orange peels, which also has blood pressure-lowering properties. This anticancer substance is widely found in lemon peels and citrus fruit peels and has been shown to significantly prolong the lifespan of cancer-bearing animals in animal experiments.
Ecological Benefits
Citrus fruits are evergreen trees that produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, making them valuable in terms of carbon sequestration. Citrus fruits are always green and have beautiful tree shapes, making them excellent garden ornamental plants. The Chongming Honey Orange, which combines beautiful flowers, attractive fruits, and a delightful fragrance, has a positive impact on increasing forest coverage, green space ratio, and improving the ecological environment.
Extensions
Citrus flowers, leaves, and peels are all excellent raw materials for extracting fragrances. Citrus peel essential oil can reach up to 3% in content. Citrus essential oil has a wide range of applications in the cosmetics and food industries. It is an essential ingredient in the production of perfumes, cosmetics, and high-quality beverages and pastries. Citrus peels are also rich in pectin, which can reach up to 3.5% in content. Pectin is a highly sought-after commodity in the international and domestic markets, mainly used in the food industry. In addition, pectin has a wide range of uses in the pharmaceutical and textile industries. Orange peels can also be used as raw materials for sugar processing or processed into health drinks through enzymatic methods. The remaining fruit residue after juice extraction can be used to extract pigments, pectin, or made into animal feed, all of which are popular products in the domestic market.
