Neroli Oil: Evidence, Safety and How It Is Used
Neroli oil comes from Citrus x aurantium blossom. Small inhaled trials looked at anxiety, labor and menopause symptoms; skin allergy is documented and the oil is never swallowed.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Safety first. Neroli oil can cause skin allergy in some people. In a dermatology-clinic network review (IVDK, 2010 to 2019), neroli oil was one of only six essential oils with more than 1% positive patch tests, at 1.1%. [1] These patients had skin problems, so the figure is not a rate for the general public. Essential oils are not for swallowing; a poison-centre review found that oils such as camphorated and eucalyptus oil can be harmful, even life-threatening, if ingested by children. [2] Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) if an oil is swallowed, or 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. See Essential oil safety.
What it is
Neroli oil is made from the flowers (blossom) of Citrus × aurantium L. in the family Rutaceae, an accepted name in GBIF. [3] Trials describe it as the oil of Citrus aurantium L. flowers or C. aurantium L. var. amara. [4] [5] A skin-allergy article lists it as "Neroli oil (Citrus aurantium amara flower oil)". [6] Oils from citrus fruit peel and sweet versus bitter orange are covered on Orange oil. Water-based hydrosols are a different product; see Absolutes, hydrosols and infused oils explained.Traditional use
Proper evidence not found for a documented traditional use of neroli oil. We searched PubMed for neroli and Citrus aurantium flower oil studies and reviews; the sources we read describe modern trials only.What research shows
Neroli trials are small and use inhaled oil, usually with self-rated outcomes. A systematic review of 12 randomized trials in 1,170 women, published 2026, summarized benefits for pain, anxiety and discomfort in women's health, but it used a narrative synthesis because the trials differed too much to pool. [7] Smell is hard to blind, and a 2025 inhalation meta-analysis flagged lack of blinding. [8]| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and people studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menopause symptoms and blood pressure | In 63 postmenopausal women, 0.1% or 0.5% neroli improved the physical score on a menopause quality-of-life scale and sexual desire, and lowered diastolic blood pressure, versus almond oil. Cortisol and estrogen only tended to improve. [5] A meta-analysis of seven trials found lavender or low-dose neroli inhalation reduced total menopausal symptom scores versus placebo. [9] | Promising but limited | Inhaled, short courses (5 days) |
| Anxiety and pain in labor | In 88 women, neroli aromatherapy was followed by lower anxiety and pain than control at all stages of labor. [10] | Promising but limited | Inhaled |
| Anxiety in heart patients | In 140 hospitalized patients, 30% neroli in paraffin lowered anxiety scores more than paraffin alone; no side effect was observed. [4] | Promising but limited | Inhaled three times daily |
| Dental anxiety in children (blend with music) | 56 children aged 6 to 10 had lower dental anxiety with a lavender-neroli blend plus music than with an empty mask. [11] | Insufficient evidence for neroli alone | Inhaled blend plus music |
| Hot flushes (hydrosol, not oil) | A peppermint and neroli hydrolat spray was preferred over plain water spray by only 18 of 44 women treated for breast cancer. [12] | Insufficient evidence | Water-based spray |
The results are promising for short-term comfort measures but the trials are small, hard to blind and rely on self-report. In a mood experiment with lavender, neroli or placebo odor, expectations played a significant role in mood change. [13] Nothing here shows neroli oil treats menopause, anxiety or any disease. Estrogen changes were not significant in the menopause trial, so "hormone-balancing" claims are not supported. [5] See Essential oils for menopause and period symptoms and Essential oils for anxiety, stress and mood.
Forms and why they matter
Different trials used different strengths and carriers: 0.1% or 0.5% neroli oil (with almond oil as the control) in one trial, and 30% in paraffin in another. [5] [4] A hydrosol spray is a different product from the oil. [12] Label and botanical-name checks are described on Reading an essential oil label.Safety details
- Skin: a fragrance-allergy article lists neroli oil among less frequent sensitizers than ylang ylang and others. [6] Concomitant reactions to several oils and fragrances were frequent in the IVDK data. [1] See Essential oil skin reactions, allergy and sensitization.
- Sun sensitivity: not described in the sources we read for neroli. Peel-pressed citrus oils are covered on Phototoxicity: citrus oils and sunlight.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: neroli has been tested in labor and pregnancy trials, but a 1999 review said safety in pregnancy and babies had not been clearly demonstrated. [14] Ask a midwife or doctor.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions, medicines, liver and kidney, children, pets: not described in the sources we read for neroli oil. See How interactions work.
A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person. Tell the surgical team about any oils used before an operation.
Uses studied and safety checks for Neroli Oil
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people or only from the lab, which way the oil was used (scent, on skin or swallowed) and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one way of using an oil does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (4)
- Skin allergy and patch tests. In a German clinic network (2010 to 2019), neroli oil was positive in 1.1% of 10,930 patients, one of the oils above 1%; people often reacted to several oils at once. These were patients with skin problems, not the general public.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Neroli was tested in labor trials, yet a 1999 review said safety of aromatherapy oils in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly demonstrated. A neroli-specific statement was not found.
- Swallowing: poison center warnings. Poison Control says some essential oils are very dangerous if swallowed. Call 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your local emergency number. No neroli-specific case was found.
- Children and pets. Poison Control says children's thin skin and immature livers may make them more vulnerable and advises keeping oils away from children and pets. A neroli-specific statement was not found.
Neroli scent and menopause symptoms (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedIn 63 postmenopausal women, inhaling 0.1% or 0.5% neroli for 5 minutes twice daily for 5 days improved a physical menopause score, sexual desire and diastolic blood pressure compared with almond oil; cortisol and estrogen only trended. A meta-analysis of seven placebo-controlled trials found lavender or low-dose neroli inhalation improved total symptom scores, and called the evidence limited.
Supplements: Research is on the scent or oil itself; it is not a nutrient and not a treatment. Short, small trials; evidence limited.
Anxiety and pain in labor (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedIn 88 women in labor, neroli aromatherapy was followed by lower anxiety and perceived pain than control at every stage. A 2026 systematic review of 12 trials (1,170 women) used narrative synthesis because the trials differed too much to pool.
Supplements: Small trials; not a medical pain treatment.
Anxiety in heart patients (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedIn 140 hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome, 30% neroli in paraffin lowered anxiety scores more than paraffin alone; no side effect was observed.
Supplements: One trial.
Hormone balance claims
Not enough evidenceIn the postmenopausal trial, estrogen concentrations only tended to improve and the change was not significant, so hormone-balancing claims are not supported by the study read.
Supplements: No good evidence of hormone effect.
Expectation and mood
Lab or animal research onlyIn a mood experiment with lavender, neroli or placebo odor (90 undergraduate women), changes in heart rate and skin conductance followed the suggestion given, so expectation plays a role in scent studies.
Supplements: Shows expectation effects; not a treatment finding.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (3)
- Anxiety SupportPreliminary or mixed
Small inhaled trials in labor and heart patients report lower anxiety scores.
- Menopause SupportPreliminary or mixed
Small inhaled trials and a meta-analysis report better symptom scores; evidence limited and short.
- Women’s WellnessPreliminary or mixed
A systematic review of 12 trials (1,170 women) summarized pain, anxiety and discomfort outcomes, but could not pool them.
Body systems (4)
- Reproductive HealthPreliminary or mixed
Trials covered labor and menopause symptoms with self-rated outcomes.
- Skin, Hair & BeautyDocumented risk
Neroli oil was positive in 1.1% of patch-tested patients in one clinic network.
- Pain & InflammationPreliminary or mixed
Perceived pain in labor was lower in one trial (88 women); self-rated.
- Stress & MoodPreliminary or mixed
Lower anxiety scores in small trials; expectation plays a role.
Body parts (1)
- SkinDocumented risk
Allergic contact dermatitis is documented.
Functional actions (1)
- CalmingPreliminary or mixed
Lower anxiety scores in small inhaled trials.
Conditions & symptoms (3)
- AnxietyPreliminary or mixed
Small inhaled trials in labor and acute coronary syndrome patients.
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
1.1% positive patch tests in a clinic network.
- Labor PainPreliminary or mixed
One trial in 88 women found lower perceived pain; self-rated.
Frequently asked questions
Is neroli oil the same as orange blossom oil?
The sources we read use the name neroli for the oil of Citrus aurantium flowers. [4] Whether sellers use "orange blossom oil" for the same product is not described in the sources we read, so check the botanical name on the label.
Does neroli oil help menopause symptoms?
Small inhaled trials report improvements on symptom scales, but they are short and hard to blind. [5] [9]
Does neroli oil change estrogen?
In one trial, estrogen concentrations tended to improve but not significantly. [5]
Is neroli oil safe on skin?
It can cause allergic reactions in some people; 1.1% of patch-tested patients in one series reacted. [1]
Can I swallow neroli oil?
No advice to swallow essential oils is given here. Poison centers warn ingestion can be harmful. [2]
References
- Contact sensitization to essential oils: IVDK data of the years 2010-2019, Contact Dermatitis 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils, Paediatrics & Child Health 2001. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Citrus aurantium, GBIF. Read 2026-10-23.
- Citrus aurantium Aroma for Anxiety in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2019. Read 2026-10-23.
- 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 2014. Read 2026-10-23.
- Diagnostic workup of fragrance allergy, Der Hautarzt 2015. Read 2026-10-23.
- Therapeutic potential of Neroli Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium) in obstetrics and gynecology: A systematic review, Explore 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- Inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of comorbid insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Aromatherapy for Managing Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2021. Read 2026-10-23.
- The Effectiveness of Neroli Essential Oil in Relieving Anxiety and Perceived Pain in Women during Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Healthcare 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effect of aromatherapy with Lavender-Neroli oil and music in management of pediatric dental anxiety: a randomized control trial, BDJ Open 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- A study to look at the effects of a hydrolat spray on hot flushes in women being treated for breast cancer, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2008. Read 2026-10-23.
- Role of suggestion in odor-induced mood change, Psychological Reports 2004. Read 2026-10-23.
- Possible health and safety problems in the use of novel plant essential oils and extracts in aromatherapy, Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 1999. Read 2026-10-23.