Essential Oils & Aromatherapy · Essential oil
Mandarin and Tangerine Oil
Citrus reticulata Blanco · also called Mandarin oil, tangerine oil, mandarin orange oil
Mandarin and tangerine oil is the sweet citrus oil pressed from the peel of the mandarin fruit. It is used in diffusers, skin products and food flavouring. Human research on this oil is thin and mostly small. The main caution: it can irritate skin or cause allergy, and swallowing it can poison children and pets.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Mandarin and Tangerine Oil
Mandarin and tangerine oil has a sweet, soft citrus scent and is pressed from the peel. There is very little human research on it, and what exists is small or mixes it with other oils. Safety comes first: it can irritate skin and cause allergy, it should not be swallowed, and it can poison pets and children. We found no source that shows it treats any condition.
What mandarin and tangerine oil is
The oil is pressed (cold-expressed) from the peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco, which GBIF lists as an accepted species in the citrus family, Rutaceae. EFSA describes a green oil and a red oil.
By composition, EFSA's specification gives d-limonene at 65-80% and gamma-terpinene at 13-22%, with small amounts of pinenes, myrcene and methyl N-methylanthranilate. Furocoumarins are very low.
Labels use both mandarin and tangerine. One trial named its oil Citrus tangerina, which GBIF could not match to a species, so we cannot say its results apply to Citrus reticulata. Orange, bitter orange, neroli and petitgrain oils are different oils. Dried tangerine peel is a different product.
What people use it for, and how strong the evidence is
For calm and sleep, one small experiment in 20 adults tested tangerine oil and found brain-wave changes. A Korean trial in 60 women used a blend of lavender, mandarin and marjoram after surgery. A big hospital records review used mandarin in about 1 in 10 sessions. None of these shows what mandarin does alone.
For labour and dental anxiety, we found no trial of mandarin oil alone. The labour review used mandarin orange in one paper, and the dental trial used orange oil.
For babies, a randomised trial of massage with mandarin oil after surgery found no benefit. For lungs, only a rat study exists.
The research in one view
We found no randomised trial of mandarin or tangerine oil alone against a dummy scent in adults. Most human studies are small, short and unblinded, because a smell is hard to hide. Many other papers on mandarin oil are lab or food-packaging work and say nothing about benefit to people.
FDA says aromatherapy products sold with claims to treat disease, relieve anxiety or help sleep make drug claims, and drugs need approval before sale.
Oils, blends and the plant are different things
Pressed peel oil, distilled citrus oils, dried peel and isolated limonene are different. A lab study of lemon, sweet orange and tangerine aromatherapy oils found the mix of compounds shifts as the oil evaporates. Blend trials cannot be credited to mandarin alone.
What regulators say
EFSA (2021) found expressed mandarin oil safe as an animal-feed flavouring up to set levels for farm species, flagged perillaldehyde as a source of potential concern, and drew no conclusion for pets. That is about feed flavouring, not aromatherapy or skin use in people.
FDA and Poison Control give the general cautions above. We did not read an NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed entry for this oil.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Used in modern aromatherapy and as a food flavouring (EFSA, trial authors).
- We found no source describing older traditional use of the oil. The dried peel is a separate herbal product.
Studied for research
- Calm and sleep, tangerine oil brain waves, very low
- Stress, sleep and nausea after surgery, a blend with mandarin, very low
- Hospital aromatherapy for pain, anxiety and nausea, insufficient
- Anxiety in labour, insufficient
- Dental anxiety in children, insufficient (nearest trial used orange oil)
- Babies after surgery, massage with mandarin oil, against
- Lung inflammation, rats only, insufficient
Main compounds
- d-Limonene, the main part (65-80%)
- gamma-Terpinene
- Pinenes and myrcene
- Methyl N-methylanthranilate
Common forms
- Expressed (cold-pressed) peel oil, green or red
- Diffuser or inhaled oil (as studied)
- Oil in massage blends (as studied)
- Dried tangerine peel (a different product)
Research links: EFSA opinion on expressed mandarin oil · FDA: Aromatherapy · Poison Control: Essential oils · Pet Poison Helpline: Essential oils · Tangerine oil brain-wave experiment (abstract) · Mandarin oil massage in babies (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Citrus reticulata
- Naming authority
- Blanco
- Common names
- Mandarin (English); Tangerine (English); Mandarin orange (English)
- Family or group
- Rutaceae (citrus family), per GBIF.
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Sapindales > Rutaceae > Citrus > Citrus reticulata
- Native range
- Not checked.
- Habitat
- Not checked.
- What it looks like
- Part used: EFSA says the oil is obtained by cold expression (pressing) from the fruit peel. EFSA describes green mandarin oil (green to green-brown) and red mandarin oil (orange to red-amber).
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Sweet orange oil (Citrus sinensis); Note: A different oil. The dental trial in this review used orange oil.; Name: Bitter orange, neroli and petitgrain oils; Note: Different citrus oils from other species or parts of the tree.; Name: Dried tangerine peel; Note: The herb, a different product from the oil.; Name: Yuzu oil; Note: Yuzu is described in one trial as Citrus ichangensis x Citrus reticulata; its results do not carry over.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not checked.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Modern aromatherapy | Trial authors say citrus oils are widely used as aromatherapy and medicinal agents; nurses in ten US hospitals gave mandarin in about 9% of aromatherapy sessions. | Chandharakool 2020; Johnson 2016 |
| Food flavouring | EFSA says expressed mandarin oil is recognised to flavour food (FEMA 2657, Council of Europe 142, CAS 8008-31-9). | EFSA |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| d-Limonene PubChem 22311 | monoterpene hydrocarbon | Peel (expressed oil) 65-80% of the oil (EFSA specification); the marker compound | Main part of the oil. When oxidised in air it forms hydroperoxides that are skin allergens in patch tests. 3 9 19 | Chemistry |
| gamma-Terpinene PubChem 7461 | monoterpene hydrocarbon | Peel (expressed oil) 13-22% | Second main part. 3 19 | Chemistry |
| alpha-Pinene PubChem 6654 | monoterpene hydrocarbon | Peel (expressed oil) 1.0-3.5% | Minor part. 3 19 | Chemistry |
| Myrcene PubChem 31253 | monoterpene hydrocarbon | Peel (expressed oil) 1.0-2.0% | Minor part. 3 19 | Chemistry |
| beta-Pinene PubChem 14896 | monoterpene hydrocarbon | Peel (expressed oil) 1.0-2.0% | Minor part. 3 19 | Chemistry |
| Methyl N-methylanthranilate PubChem 6826 | aromatic ester | Peel (expressed oil) 0.15-0.7% | Minor part, listed in the EFSA specification. 3 19 | Chemistry |
| Perillaldehyde PubChem 16441 | monoterpene aldehyde | Peel (expressed oil) Share not stated in the sources read | EFSA flagged it as a source of potential concern for the animal-feed use. 3 19 | Chemistry |
| Bergamottin, bergapten, 8-methoxypsoralen | furocoumarins | Peel (expressed oil) Bergamottin 0.001% and bergapten 0.0003% (literature values quoted by EFSA); 8-methoxypsoralen below detection (0.5 mg/kg) in ten batches | Light-sensitising compounds, very low in mandarin oil per EFSA. Their low level does not by itself prove the oil is free of sun reactions. 3 19 | Chemistry |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain waves (EEG) | Not stated | Breathing tangerine oil changed alpha, beta and theta power in 20 adults, in opposite directions at different strengths. The authors read it as sedative. 1 | Human, small |
| Lung macrophages and cytokines | CD11b/c+/CD86+ macrophages, CD8+ T cells, IL-18, IL-17A, IL-12p70, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IL-4, MMP-12, IL-10 | In smoke-exposed rats, inhaled Citrus reticulata oil changed these immune measures and reduced lung injury. 13 | Animal research |
| Allergen formation | Not applicable | Limonene oxidises on exposure to air to hydroperoxides, which are contact sensitisers in patch tests. 9 10 | Human patch test studies (chemical, not oil) |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not described in any source read.
- Distribution
- Not established.
- Metabolism
- Not established.
- Elimination
- Not established.
- Bioavailability
- Not established.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Expressed (cold-pressed) peel oil, distilled oils, dried peel, petitgrain leaf oil and isolated limonene are different things. Trial results belong to the exact product tested, and the blend trial cannot be credited to mandarin alone.
Nutritional composition
Mandarin oil is not a nutrient. EFSA says it is recognised as a food flavouring.
2 very low certainty4 not enough evidence1 evidence against
What was looked at
The 7 benefits and uses checked for Mandarin and Tangerine Oil, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Calm and sleep: brain waves after breathing tangerine oilVery low certainty
- Stress, sleep and nausea after surgery (a blend containing mandarin)Very low certainty
- Pain, anxiety and nausea in hospital (nurse-given aromatherapy)Not enough evidence
- Anxiety in the first stage of labourNot enough evidence
- Anxiety in children at the dentist (nearest trial used orange, not mandarin)Not enough evidence
- Distress in babies after major surgery (massage with mandarin oil)Evidence against
- Lung inflammation (COPD) in rats given inhaled Citrus reticulata oilNot enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Brain-wave (EEG) power: alpha, beta, thetaSleep onset latencyCortisolSelf-rated anxiety, pain and nausea (0-10 scales)COMFORT behaviour scoreLung immune signals (cytokines) in rats
What is Mandarin and Tangerine Oil good for?
The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. Read the certainty label first. For this oil, nearly all of it is very weak.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Calm and sleep: brain waves after breathing tangerine oil
Very low certaintyOne small experiment in 20 adults found that breathing tangerine oil changed brain-wave patterns in a way the authors call sedative, and that sleep onset was shorter. It was tiny and different dilutions did opposite things.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2020 experiment in Thailand measured brain waves (EEG, 32 channels) in 10 men and 10 women who breathed tangerine oil at different dilutions, and then tested sleep onset time.
Results
Undiluted oil lowered alpha wave power and raised beta wave power. The threshold dilution lowered alpha and beta power and raised theta power (read by the authors as sedative). They report a shorter sleep onset latency; the abstract gives no figures.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Twenty people, no placebo group described, no numbers for sleep or mood in the abstract, opposite brain effects at different strengths, and brain waves are only an indirect marker. The authors work at an essential-oil research centre.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Healthy adults in Thailand.
Limits
The oil was named Citrus tangerina by the authors; GBIF could not match that name to a species, so we cannot say it is the same as Citrus reticulata. Results do not tell us how a home diffuser would act.
Why researchers looked
People use citrus scents to relax. Researchers wanted to see whether tangerine oil changes the brain activity linked to calm and sleep.
Traditional use
Citrus oils are widely used in aromatherapy, say the authors. We found no source on older traditional use of the oil.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established. The authors link the brain-wave changes to a sedative effect but the abstract gives no mechanism.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Citrus oils can irritate skin and cause allergy, and the oil is dangerous if swallowed by children or pets. See the Safety tab.
Stress, sleep and nausea after surgery (a blend containing mandarin)
Very low certaintyA Korean trial in 60 women found that breathing a lavender, mandarin and marjoram blend after a hysterectomy was linked to lower physical stress, lower cortisol, better sleep and less nausea. Mandarin cannot be separated from the other two oils.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2013 controlled trial gave 30 women two five-minute inhalations of the blend on the day of surgery, against 30 women who had routine care without any inhalation.
Results
Psychological stress did not differ significantly (p = .054). Physical stress (p = .002), cortisol (p = .049), sleep (p = .016), sleep satisfaction (p = .018) and nausea and vomiting (p = .012) were better with the blend.
Effect sizes as reported
p values only in the abstract.
Why this rating
A three-oil blend, so no finding is about mandarin alone. The comparison group got no scent, so the women knew their group. Small, one hospital, one day, and the abstract does not say how women were allocated.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Women after laparoscopic hysterectomy in Korea.
Limits
Cannot be applied to mandarin oil on its own. Not shown to be safe for other groups.
Why researchers looked
Recovery from surgery brings stress, poor sleep and nausea, so nurses have tried inhaled oils as a gentle extra.
Traditional use
Aromatherapy is used in some hospitals as a complementary comfort measure.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Citrus oils can irritate skin and cause allergy, and the oil is dangerous if swallowed by children or pets. See the Safety tab.
Pain, anxiety and nausea in hospital (nurse-given aromatherapy)
Not enough evidenceA large US review of hospital records found ratings of pain, anxiety and nausea improved after nurse-given aromatherapy. Mandarin was used in about 1 in 10 sessions, but the abstract gives no result for mandarin alone.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2016 review of the records of 10,262 admissions in ten US hospitals compared each patient's rating before and after a session. Over 75% of sessions were by inhalation.
Results
Lavender was used most (49.5%), then ginger (21.2%), sweet marjoram (12.3%), mandarin (9.4%) and combination oils (7.6%). The largest single-oil changes named were sweet marjoram for pain, lavender and sweet marjoram for anxiety, and ginger for nausea. No mandarin figure was given in the abstract.
Effect sizes as reported
Marjoram pain change -3.31 points (95% CI -4.28 to -2.33); anxiety change -2.73 for lavender and marjoram; none given for mandarin.
Why this rating
There was no comparison group, so improvement could come from time, the nurse's attention or expectation. The abstract gives nothing on mandarin alone.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Adult hospital patients, mostly women.
Limits
No placebo or no-treatment group. Not specific to this oil.
Why researchers looked
Hospitals wanted to know whether aromatherapy given by nurses helped patients in real life, not only in small trials.
Traditional use
Nurse-delivered aromatherapy is used in some hospitals as a complementary measure.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Citrus oils can irritate skin and cause allergy, and the oil is dangerous if swallowed by children or pets. See the Safety tab.
Anxiety in the first stage of labour
Not enough evidenceA review of aromatherapy in early labour found most studies suggested lower anxiety, but only 1 of 16 papers used mandarin orange. The authors say better-designed studies are needed.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2019 systematic review searched databases to September 2017 and found 14 published and 2 unpublished papers from Iran, Egypt, Korea and Italy. It reported results in words, not numbers.
Results
A majority of the studies suggested aromatherapy reduced anxiety in the first stage of labour. Lavender was used in 5 papers; mandarin orange in 1.
Effect sizes as reported
No pooled numbers in the abstract.
Why this rating
The review does not report a mandarin-specific result, and its authors call for methodologically rigorous studies. Overall quality of the included trials was not summarised in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Women in the first stage of labour.
Limits
Not specific to mandarin. Safety in labour for mother or baby is not described in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Labour is a common cause of anxiety, and some women ask about scents as a drug-free help.
Traditional use
Aromatherapy is used in some maternity units as a complementary measure.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Some oils are not advised in pregnancy; we found no source on mandarin oil in pregnancy. Ask your midwife before using any essential oil.
Anxiety in children at the dentist (nearest trial used orange, not mandarin)
Not enough evidenceWe found no dental trial of mandarin or tangerine oil. A trial of orange oil in 30 children found lower cortisol and pulse at the dentist, but that is a different oil.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2013 randomised crossover trial in Iran: 30 children aged 6 to 9 had two dental visits, one with orange aroma and one without.
Results
Cortisol difference between visits was 1.047 +/- 2.198 nmol/l (p = 0.014) and pulse difference 6.73 +/- 12.3 (p = 0.005), both in favour of the aroma.
Effect sizes as reported
p = 0.014 and p = 0.005.
Why this rating
This is for orange oil. For mandarin or tangerine oil there is no dental trial in our search, so the rating for this oil is insufficient. The orange trial itself is small and unblinded.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Children aged 6 to 9.
Limits
Results should not be moved from orange to mandarin oil. Children are more sensitive to essential-oil harm (see Safety).
Why researchers looked
Fear of the dentist is common in children, and citrus smells are a popular try.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Children have thin skin and developing livers, says Poison Control. Keep all oils away from children's mouths and hands.
Distress in babies after major surgery (massage with mandarin oil)
Evidence againstA randomised trial in 60 babies and toddlers after facial surgery found no benefit from gentle massage with mandarin oil, with carrier oil alone or with usual care. This is evidence against benefit in that setting.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2012 Dutch randomised trial put 60 children aged 3 to 36 months into three groups: massage with mandarin oil, massage with carrier oil, or standard postoperative care. A blinded observer scored videos.
Results
Behaviour comfort scores rose slightly in all groups but the differences were not statistically significant. Heart rate and blood pressure changed over time in all groups, unrelated to the treatment.
Effect sizes as reported
No significant difference between groups.
Why this rating
One randomised trial of 60 babies, with a blinded observer, found no benefit. The authors suggest massage came too soon after anaesthesia and that babies feared strangers touching them. A single small trial cannot rule out all benefit, but it gives no support for it.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Babies and toddlers aged 3 to 36 months after craniofacial surgery.
Limits
The oil strength is not given in the abstract. The trial does not prove the oil is safe for babies.
Why researchers looked
Hospitals look for gentle ways to ease pain and distress in very young children after big operations.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Babies have thin skin. Poison Control says children may be more open to harm from essential oils. Ask a paediatric clinician before using any oil near a baby.
Lung inflammation (COPD) in rats given inhaled Citrus reticulata oil
Not enough evidenceIn rats given cigarette smoke, inhaled Citrus reticulata essential oil reduced lung damage and changed immune measures. This is animal work only and says nothing yet about people.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2024 study randomised 80 rats into healthy, untreated COPD, ipratropium bromide (a medicine) and Citrus reticulata oil groups. The oil was nebulised.
Results
Treated rats had less lung tissue injury, better weight and mental status, fewer CD8+ T cells, lower levels of several cytokines (IL-18, IL-17A, IL-12p70, GM-CSF) and higher IL-10 expression.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers in the abstract.
Why this rating
Rats only. No human trial of the oil for lung disease was found. Inhaled oils can irritate the airways (see Safety), so a lung benefit in rats does not show it is safe or helpful for people with lung disease.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Rats with smoke-induced COPD.
Limits
Animal study. Some authors work for a company; no conflict is declared.
Why researchers looked
Dried Citrus reticulata peel has been linked in traditional medicine to cough and inflammation; researchers tested the oil as a nebulised treatment in rats.
Traditional use
The authors say Citrus reticulata peel has been found to have anti-inflammatory and cough-reducing effects; we did not check that claim.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors report changes in lung macrophages and in cytokine (immune signal) levels in the rats.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
EFSA calls expressed mandarin oil an irritant to the respiratory tract. People with asthma or COPD should talk to their doctor before using any inhaled oil.
Connections to the rest of health
How Mandarin and Tangerine Oil connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Sleep | Very low certainty | Calm and sleep: brain waves after breathing tangerine oil: One small experiment in 20 adults found that breathing tangerine oil changed brain-wave patterns in a way the authors call sedative, and that sleep onset was shorter. It was tiny and different dilutions did opposite things. Stress, sleep and nausea after surgery (a blend containing mandarin): A Korean trial in 60 women found that breathing a lavender, mandarin and marjoram blend after a hysterectomy was linked to lower physical stress, lower cortisol, better sleep and less nausea. Mandarin cannot be separated from the other two oils. | 1 2 | |
| Calm Relaxation | Very low certainty | Calm and sleep: brain waves after breathing tangerine oil: One small experiment in 20 adults found that breathing tangerine oil changed brain-wave patterns in a way the authors call sedative, and that sleep onset was shorter. It was tiny and different dilutions did opposite things. Distress in babies after major surgery (massage with mandarin oil): A randomised trial in 60 babies and toddlers after facial surgery found no benefit from gentle massage with mandarin oil, with carrier oil alone or with usual care. This is evidence against benefit in that setting. | 1 14 | |
| Stress Reduction | Very low certainty | Stress, sleep and nausea after surgery (a blend containing mandarin): A Korean trial in 60 women found that breathing a lavender, mandarin and marjoram blend after a hysterectomy was linked to lower physical stress, lower cortisol, better sleep and less nausea. Mandarin cannot be separated from the other two oils. Anxiety in children at the dentist (nearest trial used orange, not mandarin): We found no dental trial of mandarin or tangerine oil. A trial of orange oil in 30 children found lower cortisol and pulse at the dentist, but that is a different oil. | 2 6 14 | |
| Anxiety Support | Not enough evidence | Pain, anxiety and nausea in hospital (nurse-given aromatherapy): A large US review of hospital records found ratings of pain, anxiety and nausea improved after nurse-given aromatherapy. Mandarin was used in about 1 in 10 sessions, but the abstract gives no result for mandarin alone. | 7 | |
| Calm Relaxation | Not enough evidence | Pain, anxiety and nausea in hospital (nurse-given aromatherapy): A large US review of hospital records found ratings of pain, anxiety and nausea improved after nurse-given aromatherapy. Mandarin was used in about 1 in 10 sessions, but the abstract gives no result for mandarin alone. | 7 | |
| Anxiety Support | Not enough evidence | Anxiety in the first stage of labour: A review of aromatherapy in early labour found most studies suggested lower anxiety, but only 1 of 16 papers used mandarin orange. The authors say better-designed studies are needed. | 5 | |
| Calm Relaxation | Not enough evidence | Anxiety in the first stage of labour: A review of aromatherapy in early labour found most studies suggested lower anxiety, but only 1 of 16 papers used mandarin orange. The authors say better-designed studies are needed. | 5 | |
| Anxiety Support | Not enough evidence | Anxiety in children at the dentist (nearest trial used orange, not mandarin): We found no dental trial of mandarin or tangerine oil. A trial of orange oil in 30 children found lower cortisol and pulse at the dentist, but that is a different oil. | 6 | |
| Lung Support | Not enough evidence | Lung inflammation (COPD) in rats given inhaled Citrus reticulata oil: In rats given cigarette smoke, inhaled Citrus reticulata essential oil reduced lung damage and changed immune measures. This is animal work only and says nothing yet about people. | 13 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nervous System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Calm and sleep: brain waves after breathing tangerine oil Studied for: Stress, sleep and nausea after surgery (a blend containing mandarin) | 1 2 7 5 6 14 |
| Respiratory System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Lung inflammation (COPD) in rats given inhaled Citrus reticulata oil | 13 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact dermatitis | Documented risk | EFSA: skin sensitiser. Oxidised limonene patch-test positives 3.1% to 8% in dermatitis populations. Preparation or compound: Expressed mandarin oil; oxidised limonene |
3 9 11 10 | |
| Photosensitivity of skin | Not enough evidence | Low furocoumarin content reported; no phototoxicity test of the oil found. Preparation or compound: Expressed mandarin oil |
15 3 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain-wave (EEG) power: alpha, beta, theta | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Sleep onset latency | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Cortisol | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 2 6 |
| Self-rated anxiety, pain and nausea (0-10 scales) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 7 |
| COMFORT behaviour score | Biological association | Evidence against | Measured in trials: increase. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 14 |
| Lung immune signals (cytokines) in rats | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: decrease. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 13 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL-10 and inflammatory cytokines | Preliminary mechanism | Animal | Changed in smoke-exposed rats given inhaled Citrus reticulata oil. | 13 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| d-Limonene | Biological association | Chemistry | Main part of the oil. When oxidised in air it forms hydroperoxides that are skin allergens in patch tests. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 9 19 |
| gamma-Terpinene | Biological association | Chemistry | Second main part. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
| alpha-Pinene | Biological association | Chemistry | Minor part. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
| Myrcene | Biological association | Chemistry | Minor part. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
| beta-Pinene | Biological association | Chemistry | Minor part. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
| Methyl N-methylanthranilate | Biological association | Chemistry | Minor part, listed in the EFSA specification. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
| Perillaldehyde | Biological association | Chemistry | EFSA flagged it as a source of potential concern for the animal-feed use. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
| Bergamottin, bergapten, 8-methoxypsoralen | Biological association | Chemistry | Light-sensitising compounds, very low in mandarin oil per EFSA. Their low level does not by itself prove the oil is free of sun reactions. Preparation or compound: Peel (expressed oil) |
3 19 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 1 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Mandarin and Tangerine Oil. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 13 PubMed papers (one record had only a title) and the full EFSA opinion, plus the FDA, Poison Control and Pet Poison Helpline pages, and checked the plant name in GBIF and compounds in PubChem. We could not read NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed.
Study library: every study we checked 19
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandharakool 2020 Effects of Tangerine Essential Oil on Brain Waves, Moods, and Sleep Onset Latency. Molecules · PMID 33096890 · DOI |
Small human experiment (EEG), Thailand |
20 10 men and 10 women (adults) |
Tangerine essential oil (Citrus tangerina, as named by the authors), inhaled at several dilutions up to undiluted essential oil Not reported here single sessions · vs Different dilutions of the same oil; no separate placebo group is described in the abstract |
Undiluted oil inhalation lowered alpha wave power and raised beta wave power. The threshold dilution lowered alpha and beta power and raised theta power, which the authors read as a sedative effect. They say sleep onset latency was shorter, but the abstract gives no figures. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Brain-wave (EEG) activity, mood, sleep onset latency Limitations: Only 20 people, no placebo group described, EEG changes are a surrogate marker, and the abstract gives no numbers for sleep or mood. Different dilutions had opposite effects on the brain waves. The authors name the plant Citrus tangerina; we could not match that name to a species in GBIF (genus only). Funding and conflicts: The authors work in a centre for essential oil innovation (Walailak University); they declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract |
| Choi 2013 Effects of Aromatherapy on Stress, Sleep, Nausea and Vomiting during Patient Controlled Analgesia Treatment of Patients with Hysterectomy. Korean J Women Health Nurs · PMID 37684766 · DOI |
Controlled trial, Korea (allocation method not stated in the abstract) |
60 60 women after laparoscopic hysterectomy (30 aromatherapy, 30 routine care) |
Inhaled blend of lavender, mandarin and marjoram oils essential oil blend Not reported here 5 minutes, twice on the day of surgery · vs Routine care with no inhalation |
Psychological stress did not differ significantly (p = .054). Physiological stress (p = .002), cortisol (p = .049), sleep status (p = .016), sleep satisfaction (p = .018) and the nausea and vomiting score (p = .012) differed in favour of the blend. p values as listed; no effect sizes in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Psychological and physiological stress, cortisol, sleep, nausea and vomiting score Limitations: A three-oil blend, so mandarin cannot be separated out. The comparison group had no scent at all, so women knew which group they were in. Small, single hospital, one day. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP); Bampidis 2021 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of expressed mandarin oil from the fruit peels of Citrus reticulata Blanco for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J · PMID 34136001 · DOI |
Regulatory scientific opinion (read in full on PubMed Central) mixed (animal feed opinion) |
Farm animals (poultry, pigs, ruminants, horses, salmon, rabbits) and people exposed to the additive | Expressed (cold-pressed) mandarin oil from the peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco, as a feed flavouring essential oil (expressed from the peel) Safe in feed only up to set levels for named farm species; no figures repeated here |
The panel described the oil (mainly d-limonene 65-80%, gamma-terpinene 13-22%) and found it safe in feed up to stated levels for farm species. It flagged perillaldehyde as a source of potential concern. For companion animals and ornamental fish, no conclusion could be drawn. It says the oil should be considered an irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, and a skin sensitiser. The furocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen was below the detection limit in ten batches. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety for animals, consumers, users and the environment; composition; contaminants Limitations: About flavouring in animal feed, not aromatherapy or skin use in people. The company that applied (FEFANA asbl) supplied the batch data. Only ten batches, from Italy and Brazil. Funding and conflicts: Applicant: FEFANA asbl (feed additive trade body); assessment by EFSA panel. Read: full-text |
| Francis 2015 Changes in the Composition of Aromatherapeutic Citrus Oils during Evaporation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 26161120 · DOI |
Laboratory chemistry (GC MS) lab |
Commercial lemon, sweet orange and tangerine oils sold for aromatherapy | Oils partly evaporated in a stream of nitrogen commercial essential oils Not reported here partial evaporation · vs Intact oil |
The intact oils were mostly monoterpene hydrocarbons. As evaporation went on, the lighter parts disappeared and the balance shifted towards alcohols and carbonyl compounds. In lemon oil the sensitiser citral became a larger share. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Change in composition as the oil evaporates Limitations: Lab chemistry, not people. Citral was highlighted for lemon, not tangerine. It shows that what is breathed from a diffuser over time is not the same mix as the bottle. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Ghiasi 2019 A Systematic Review on the Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy during the First Stage of Labor. J Caring Sci · PMID 30915314 · DOI |
Systematic review (searched to September 2017), results reported in words not numbers |
14 published and 2 unpublished papers on aromatherapy in the first stage of labour (Iran, Egypt, Korea, Italy) | Many oils; lavender in 5 papers, mandarin orange in 1 paper essential oils Not reported here varied · vs Varied |
Most studies suggested aromatherapy reduced anxiety. Mandarin orange was used in 1 of the papers. The authors recommend aromatherapy as a complementary therapy but say methodologically rigorous studies are needed. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Anxiety in the first stage of labour Limitations: No pooled numbers in the abstract. Only one paper used mandarin, so the review says almost nothing about this oil on its own. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Jafarzadeh 2013 Effect of aromatherapy with orange essential oil on salivary cortisol and pulse rate in children during dental treatment: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Adv Biomed Res · PMID 23930255 · DOI |
Randomised crossover trial, Iran |
30 30 children aged 6 to 9 (10 boys, 20 girls) having dental cleaning and fissure sealing |
Orange essential oil aroma (the abstract says orange, not mandarin) essential oil (orange) Not reported here two dental visits · vs Same children at a visit with no aroma |
The difference between orange-aroma and no-aroma visits was 1.047 +/- 2.198 nmol/l for cortisol (p = 0.014) and 6.73 +/- 12.3 for pulse rate (p = 0.005), both in favour of the aroma. p = 0.014 (cortisol), p = 0.005 (pulse) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Salivary cortisol and pulse rate Limitations: This is orange oil, not mandarin oil. Thirty children, one clinic. Children could smell the aroma, so blinding was not possible. Cortisol and pulse are indirect signs of anxiety. Funding and conflicts: Conflict of interest: none declared. Read: abstract |
| Johnson 2016 The effectiveness of nurse-delivered aromatherapy in an acute care setting. Complement Ther Med · PMID 27062964 · DOI |
Retrospective review of hospital records (before and after, no comparison group), US |
10262 10,262 hospital admissions in ten hospitals where nurses gave aromatherapy |
Essential oils given by nurses, over 75% by inhalation; lavender 49.5% of use, ginger 21.2%, sweet marjoram 12.3%, mandarin 9.4%, combinations 7.6% essential oils Not reported here Single sessions · vs Each patient compared with their own rating before the session |
Overall, ratings improved after aromatherapy. The abstract names sweet marjoram (pain, -3.31), lavender and sweet marjoram (anxiety, -2.73) and ginger (nausea, -2.02) as the largest single-oil changes. It gives no separate result for mandarin. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Patient-rated pain, anxiety and nausea (0-10 scale) Limitations: No comparison group, so natural improvement, attention from the nurse and expectation cannot be separated from the oil. Mandarin result not given in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kejlova 2010 Phototoxicity of essential oils intended for cosmetic use. Toxicol In Vitro · PMID 20688147 · DOI |
Lab skin model tests plus a small human photopatch test, Czech Republic human and lab |
Orange, lemon and Litsea cubeba oils (a previous study covered bergamot); limited group of human volunteers | Essential oils applied to skin models and skin, then exposed to light essential oils (not mandarin) Not reported here single tests · vs Solvent and lower concentrations |
Phototoxicity depended on the light-sensitive compounds in each oil and on the solvent. In people, 3 of 8 tested oils caused a phototoxic reaction at the highest concentrations that had looked safe in the skin model, so the authors advise a safety factor of 10. 3 of 8 oils phototoxic in humans at the skin-model limit Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Phototoxic reaction Limitations: Mandarin oil is not named in the abstract. Used here only to show that citrus oils differ and that lab results need checking in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Nath 2017 Contact Allergy to Hydroperoxides of Linalool and D-Limonene in a US Population. Dermatitis · PMID 28885310 · DOI |
Retrospective patch test study, US |
103 103 patients with suspected fragrance allergy |
Patch tests with oxidised (hydroperoxide) forms of linalool and limonene, and with plain linalool and d-limonene test chemicals, not an essential oil Not reported here patch test |
Positive reactions: 20% (19/96) to linalool hydroperoxides and 8% (7/90) to d-limonene hydroperoxides. The authors say these high rates mean patch testing to these chemicals should be done in all patients with suspected fragrance allergy. 8% (7/90) positive for limonene hydroperoxides Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Positive skin patch-test reactions Limitations: Patients were already suspected of fragrance allergy, so rates are higher than in the general public. It tested chemicals, not mandarin oil. Limonene is the main part of mandarin oil, but no mandarin-oil test was done. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Schubert 2023 Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients-Results of the IVDK 2018-2020. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 37177844 · DOI |
Patch test study, Germany, Austria and Switzerland network (IVDK) |
5511 5,511 consecutive patch-test patients, 2018-2020 |
Patch tests with hydroperoxides of limonene (0.3%) and linalool (1%) test chemicals, not an essential oil Not reported here patch test |
Positive reactions to limonene hydroperoxides were 3.1% (n = 170) and to linalool hydroperoxides 8.8%. Most were weak, and many others were doubtful or irritant. The authors say the test preparations are irritant and may give false positives, so results need careful reading. 3.1% positive for limonene hydroperoxides Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Positive patch-test reactions Limitations: Shows that the size of the allergy problem is debated: some positives may be irritation, not allergy. Chemicals, not mandarin oil. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Sukakul 2022 Contact allergy to oxidized linalool and oxidized limonene: Patch testing in consecutive patients with dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 34561893 · DOI |
Retrospective patch test study, Sweden |
5773 5,773 patients with dermatitis tested 2013-2020 |
Patch tests with oxidised linalool and oxidised limonene test chemicals, not an essential oil Not reported here patch test |
Contact allergy to oxidised limonene was 5.1% (oxidised linalool 7.0%), with rising trends over the years. The authors say more studies on clinical relevance are needed before recommending routine screening. 5.1% positive for oxidised limonene Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Prevalence of contact allergy Limitations: Patients with dermatitis, not the general public. It tested chemicals, not mandarin oil. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Vilaplana 2002 Contact dermatitis from the essential oil of tangerine in fragrance. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 11918605 · DOI |
Case report (title only; PubMed record has no abstract) |
Not available from the record | Essential oil of tangerine in a fragrance essential oil Not reported here |
Only the title was read: it reports contact dermatitis (an allergic skin reaction) from tangerine essential oil in a fragrance. No details were available. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Allergic skin reaction Limitations: We could read only the title and journal record. No numbers, patient details or outcome. Funding and conflicts: Not available. Read: title-only |
| Wen 2024 Inhalation of Citrus Reticulata essential oil alleviates airway inflammation and emphysema in COPD rats through regulation of macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 37981111 · DOI |
Animal experiment (rats) rat |
80 80 rats; COPD induced with cigarette smoke |
Citrus reticulata essential oil, nebulised and inhaled essential oil Not reported here Not reported here · vs Untreated COPD rats; healthy rats; ipratropium bromide group |
Inhaled oil reduced lung tissue injury and changed several immune-cell and cytokine measures in the smoke-exposed rats, and improved their weight and general condition. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Lung damage, immune cells and cytokines in lung tissue Limitations: Rats only. It says nothing about whether the oil helps people, and nothing about safety for human lungs. Some authors list a company (Sichuan Youngster Technology) as their workplace; the conflict statement declares none. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared; some authors are employed by a company. Read: abstract |
| de Jong 2012 Does postoperative 'M' technique massage with or without mandarin oil reduce infants' distress after major craniofacial surgery? J Adv Nurs · PMID 22050553 · DOI |
Randomised controlled trial, Netherlands |
60 60 children aged 3 to 36 months after craniofacial surgery |
Gentle "M" technique massage with mandarin oil in a carrier oil mandarin oil in massage Not reported here single session after surgery · vs Massage with carrier oil only; standard postoperative care |
No benefit was shown. Scores rose slightly in all three groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. Heart rate and blood pressure changed over time in all groups, unrelated to the intervention. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: COMFORT behaviour score, pain and distress ratings (scored from video by a blinded observer), heart rate, blood pressure Limitations: Authors suggest massage was too soon after anaesthesia, babies feared strangers touching them, and they were not used to massage. Oil strength is not given in the abstract. The trial says nothing about whether the oil is safe for babies. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| n/a 2023 FDA: Aromatherapy (page read 2026-10-25; content current as of 2023-09-08) n/a · Source |
Regulator information page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
FDA says aromatherapy products marketed with claims to treat disease, relieve anxiety or help sleep are drug claims, and drugs must meet requirements such as FDA approval before sale. It says "natural" does not mean safe, and that certain citrus oils used safely in food can be harmful in cosmetics, particularly on skin exposed to the sun. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety statements Limitations: General statement about essential oils; mandarin oil is not named. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 Poison Control: Essential oils: Poisonous when misused (page read 2026-10-25) n/a · Source |
Poison centre information page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning. Swallowed oils can be poisonous, and choking an oil into the lungs can cause pneumonia. Children have thin skin and immature livers. Pure oils are potent, and diluting in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad skin reaction; not for damaged skin. Skin rash is the most common allergic reaction. It can be hard to know the species, strength or contaminants in a bottle. Oils may interact with medicines. If someone swallows an essential oil, use the online tool or call a poison centre (US 1-800-222-1222). Case reports include a 22-month-old with a seizure after camphor and an 18-month-old made very drowsy by swallowed lavender extract. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety statements Limitations: General essential-oil page; mandarin oil is not named. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 Pet Poison Helpline: Essential Oils (page read 2026-10-25) n/a · Source |
Animal poison centre information page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Essential oil poisoning can affect all species, but cats and birds are at greatest risk. The page lists citrus oils (orange, lemon, lime, bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit) among oils that can cause poisoning. Common signs are drooling, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and irritation of skin, airways and mouth. Signs usually develop within 6 to 8 hours; severe cases can take 3 to 7 days to resolve. Swallowing is the highest-risk route, then skin, then breathing. It advises calling a vet or the helpline, and not making the animal vomit. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety statements Limitations: Written by a student veterinary extern as a general page; no mandarin-specific case data. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 GBIF species match for Citrus reticulata (API, checked 2026-10-25) n/a · Source |
Taxonomy database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
GBIF returns Citrus reticulata Blanco as an ACCEPTED species (key 3190172), family Rutaceae, order Sapindales. A match for Citrus tangerina returned only the genus Citrus (higher-rank match), so that name was not resolved to a species. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety statements Limitations: Synonyms were not reviewed. Read: api |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound records checked 2026-10-25 (limonene 22311, gamma-terpinene 7461, alpha-pinene 6654, beta-pinene 14896, myrcene 31253, methyl N-methylanthranilate 6826, bergapten 2355, bergamottin 5471349, perillaldehyde 16441, 8-methoxypsoralen 4114) n/a · Source |
Chemical database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Compound names, formulas and identifiers matched the compounds named in the EFSA opinion. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety statements Limitations: Identifiers only; no activity data used from PubChem. Read: api |
What we do not know yet
- What the evidence supports: nothing beyond very low certainty for mandarin oil; one baby trial found no benefit; lung work is rat-only.
- No trial of mandarin or tangerine oil alone against a dummy scent for anxiety, sleep or mood was found.
- No skin test of mandarin oil for sun sensitivity was found.
- No source on pregnancy, breastfeeding, asthma or epilepsy.
- No published dilution figure was read, and none is given.
- NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed and IFRA were not read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 6
Brain-wave (EEG) power: alpha, beta, theta
Mixed results in trials
Electrical activity of the brain, measured with scalp sensors and split into bands such as alpha, beta and theta.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used in the tangerine trial as an indirect sign of calm or alertness.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Brain-wave shifts are not the same as feeling calm or sleeping better.
Safety implication
Not applicable.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Undiluted oil: lower alpha power, higher beta power. Threshold dilution: lower alpha and beta, higher theta. Opposite pattern at low and high strengths. |
Sleep onset latency
Decrease in trials
How long it takes to fall asleep.
Very low certaintyCortisol
Decrease in trials
A stress hormone measured in blood or saliva.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used in the hysterectomy blend trial and in the orange-oil dental trial as an indirect stress marker.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Cortisol rises and falls for many reasons; it is only a rough guide to anxiety.
Safety implication
Not applicable.
Self-rated anxiety, pain and nausea (0-10 scales)
Decrease in trials
Scores people give themselves before and after a session.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Main outcome of the hospital records review.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Self-rated, no comparison group.
Safety implication
Not applicable.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Improved after aromatherapy overall; single-oil figures named for marjoram, lavender and ginger, none for mandarin in the abstract. |
COMFORT behaviour score
Increase in trials
A scale scored by an observer from video, rating signs of comfort or distress in a young child.
Evidence againstResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Main outcome of the infant massage trial.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Observer-scored; a null result in one small trial.
Safety implication
Does not show safety.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Scores rose a little after the intervention in all three groups, with no significant difference between groups. |
Lung immune signals (cytokines) in rats
Decrease in trials
Chemical signals of inflammation measured in lung tissue.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- Never swallow the oil, and keep it away from children and pets.. Poison Control says misused essential oils can cause serious poisoning, that swallowed oils can be poisonous, and that choking an oil into the lungs can cause pneumonia. Children have thin skin and immature livers. Pet Poison Helpline lists mandarin among citrus oils that can poison animals, with cats and birds at greatest risk. We found no mandarin-specific poisoning series and no safe amount to swallow. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number. Regulatory 16 17
- Skin: it can irritate and cause allergy.. EFSA says expressed mandarin oil should be considered an irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, and a skin sensitiser. Poison Control says skin rash is the commonest allergic reaction to essential oils, that pure oils are potent, and that diluting in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad skin reaction. Not for damaged skin. One case report (title only) describes contact dermatitis from tangerine oil in a fragrance. Regulatory 3 16 12
- Oxidised limonene is a known skin allergen, and limonene is the main part of this oil.. EFSA gives d-limonene as 65-80% of expressed mandarin oil. Limonene turns into allergenic hydroperoxides when it meets air. In patch tests, 8% of 90 US patients with suspected fragrance allergy reacted to limonene hydroperoxides, 5.1% of 5,773 Swedish dermatitis patients, and 3.1% of 5,511 patients in a German-speaking network (whose authors warn the test itself can irritate and give false positives). These tested the chemical, not mandarin oil, and no study of aged mandarin oil was found. Observational 3 9 11 10
- Sun sensitivity: not proven either way for this oil.. FDA says certain citrus oils used safely in food can be harmful on skin exposed to the sun, without naming them. EFSA reports that the light-sensitising furocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen was below the detection limit in ten batches of expressed mandarin oil, and that literature values for bergamottin (0.001%) and bergapten (0.0003%) are very low; it notes mandarins make little furocoumarin. But we found no test of mandarin oil for phototoxicity on skin. A skin-model and human study of orange, lemon and Litsea cubeba oils found 3 of 8 tested oils phototoxic in people, so citrus oils differ and lab results need checking in people. Regulatory 15 3 8
Side effects 5
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation and rash EFSA lists the oil as a skin irritant; no mandarin-specific rates were found. | Not given for mandarin oil. | mild to moderate Poison Control says stop at once and wash off gently; see a clinician if it persists. | Regulatory 3 16 |
| Allergic contact dermatitis (skin allergy) Patch-test positives may include irritation (IVDK authors). One tangerine oil case report exists (title only). | No rate for mandarin oil. Oxidised limonene: 8% (7/90), 5.1% and 3.1% positive in three patch-test studies of dermatitis or fragrance-allergy patients. | mild to moderate Usually settles when the cause is removed; not studied for this oil. | Observational 9 11 10 12 |
| Eye and airway irritation EFSA: irritant to eyes and the respiratory tract. We found no source on asthma and mandarin oil. | Not given. | mild to moderate Not stated. | Regulatory 3 |
| Poisoning if swallowed or aspirated General essential-oil warning. | No mandarin-specific cases found. | potentially serious Depends on the oil and amount; not established here. | Regulatory 16 |
| Sun-related skin reaction (phototoxicity) Low furocoumarin content reported by EFSA; no phototoxicity test of mandarin oil found. | Unknown for mandarin oil. | unknown Unknown | Regulatory 15 3 8 |
Liver
No liver injury report linked to mandarin or tangerine oil was found. Poison Control notes that children's livers are immature and that some swallowed essential oils harm the liver, but names no citrus oil for that. LiverTox was not read. 16
How often. No cases found in the sources read.
Monitoring. Seek urgent care if a child or adult has swallowed any essential oil and is drowsy, vomiting, yellow, or very unwell.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Mandarin and Tangerine Oil supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any medicine; no specific drug named medicines (general essential-oil statement) | Poison Control says essential oils may interact with medications. No mandarin-oil interaction study, case or lab finding was found. | Unknown. | Regulatory (general statement) Not enough evidence 16 | Tell your pharmacist about any essential oil you use, especially by mouth or on large areas of skin. |
| Fragrance mixes, other citrus oils, products containing limonene other fragrance allergens | Limonene is the main part of mandarin oil, and oxidised limonene is a known sensitiser. Someone already allergic to oxidised limonene could react to products that contain it. | Plausible from patch-test studies; not tested with mandarin oil. | Observational (patch tests) Very low certainty 9 11 3 | If you have had a fragrance allergy, ask a skin specialist before using citrus oils. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Swallowing bottled essential oil, especially by or near children | Do not swallow. Call poison control for any swallowed essential oil. | Regulatory 16 |
| Pets, especially cats and birds | Keep the oil and diffusers away from pets and locked up. Call a vet or animal poison line if a pet is exposed. | Regulatory 17 |
| Known allergy to citrus oils, limonene or fragrance | Avoid; ask a skin specialist or allergist. | Observational 9 11 |
| Damaged or broken skin | Poison Control says do not use essential oils on damaged skin. | Regulatory 16 |
| Babies and young children | Ask a paediatric clinician before using any essential oil near a child. No source gives a safe age or amount for mandarin oil. | Regulatory 16 14 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No poisoning case for mandarin oil was found. General essential-oil sources warn that swallowing can poison, that breathing oil into the lungs can cause pneumonia, and that pets are at risk.
Amounts. No safe amount is established, and this page gives none. EFSA's feed levels apply to farm animals, not people or pets.
Onset and course. For pets, Pet Poison Helpline says signs usually appear within 6 to 8 hours; mild cases settle in hours, severe ones can take 3 to 7 days. For people, no mandarin-specific course was found.
Repeated use. Skin allergy can develop with repeated skin contact; this is not measured for mandarin oil.
Animal data. EFSA found expressed mandarin oil safe in feed up to set levels for poultry, pigs, ruminants, horses, salmon and rabbits, flagged perillaldehyde as a source of potential concern, and said no conclusion could be drawn for companion animals. Pet Poison Helpline lists mandarin among citrus oils that can poison animals.
Toxic parts. The oil is the concentrated form of the peel oil. Main parts: d-limonene, gamma-terpinene. Furocoumarins are very low according to EFSA.
Not read. NCCIH aromatherapy page (returned not found), LiverTox, LactMed, IFRA standards and Tisserand/NAHA safety lists were not read.
Essential oil products are not tightly regulated, so the bottle can differ from the label. Poison Control says it can be hard to know the species, strength or contaminants.
Unknown species, strength and contaminants. Poison Control says it can be hard to know exactly what species, concentration or contaminants an essential oil bottle holds. 16
Pesticide residues in tested batches. In EFSA's ten tested batches, heavy metals and aflatoxins were below the limit of quantification. Chlorpyrifos-ethyl was found in two batches of green mandarin oil (0.12 and 0.21 mg/kg) and chlorpyrifos-methyl in one (0.15 mg/kg). Batches came from Italy and Brazil and were supplied by the applicant. 3
Mandarin versus tangerine versus other citrus names. Labels use both names. A Thai trial used oil named Citrus tangerina, which GBIF could not match to a species. Orange, bitter orange, yuzu and petitgrain oils are different oils; their results do not carry over. 18 1
Oil changes over time and in the air. A lab study of lemon, sweet orange and tangerine aromatherapy oils found the mix of compounds shifts as the oil evaporates. 4
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (United States) | Says aromatherapy products marketed to treat disease, relieve anxiety or help sleep make drug claims, and drugs need FDA approval before sale. Says natural does not mean safe and that certain citrus oils used safely in food can be harmful on sun-exposed skin. source | 2023-09-08 |
| EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) (European Union) | Found expressed mandarin oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco safe as a feed flavouring up to set levels for farm species; irritant to skin, eyes and airways and a skin sensitiser; no conclusion for companion animals. source | 2021-06-10 |
| Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center) (United States) | Says misused essential oils can cause serious poisoning, to dilute oils in a carrier for skin, not to use on damaged skin, to lock oils away from children and pets, and to call 1-800-222-1222 if swallowed. source | undated |
| Pet Poison Helpline (United States) | Lists mandarin among citrus oils that can cause poisoning in pets; cats and birds at greatest risk. source | undated |
When to get medical help
- If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number. Do not make a pet vomit (Pet Poison Helpline).
- Call emergency services for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, a seizure, or unusual drowsiness after contact with an essential oil.
- Stop using the oil and wash it off gently if a rash, burning or blisters appear; see a clinician if it does not settle.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is mandarin or tangerine oil safe for babies and young children?
We found no source that gives a safe age or amount. Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers, which may make them more open to harm, and advises locking oils away. A trial of massage with mandarin oil in babies after surgery found no benefit and does not show safety. Ask a paediatrician first.
Can I swallow mandarin or tangerine oil?
We do not advise it. Poison Control says some essential oils are poisonous if swallowed and can cause pneumonia if they enter the lungs. No source we read gives a safe amount. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number.
Can mandarin oil irritate skin or cause an allergy?
Yes. EFSA says expressed mandarin oil is an irritant to skin, eyes and airways and a skin sensitiser, and a case report describes a tangerine oil allergy in a fragrance. Poison Control says to dilute oils in a carrier oil for the skin, not to use them on damaged skin, and to wash off and stop if a rash appears.
Does mandarin oil make skin sensitive to the sun?
Is mandarin or tangerine oil safe for cats and dogs?
Does mandarin or tangerine oil help anxiety or sleep?
Does it help with anxiety in labour or at the dentist?
Are mandarin oil and tangerine oil the same?
Is mandarin or tangerine oil safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Unknown. We found no source on this oil in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask your midwife or doctor before using any essential oil.
Why does old or air-exposed citrus oil worry skin doctors?
Does mandarin oil interact with medicines?
Nothing specific was found. Poison Control says essential oils may interact with medicines in general. Tell your pharmacist about any oil you use.
Explore by health goal
Calm RelaxationStress ReductionAnxiety SupportBetter SleepLung Support
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read the abstracts of 13 PubMed papers (one record had only a title) and the full EFSA opinion, plus the FDA, Poison Control and Pet Poison Helpline pages, and checked the plant name in GBIF and compounds in PubChem. We could not read NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Trials linked to a company or a research centre are labelled.
Sources 19
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Chandharakool S, Koomhin P, Sinlapasorn J, Suanjan S, Phungsai J, Suttipromma N, Songsamoe S, Matan N, Sattayakhom A. Effects of Tangerine Essential Oil on Brain Waves, Moods, and Sleep Onset Latency.. Molecules. 2020. PMID 33096890. DOI 10.3390/molecules25204865. (abstract)
- Choi J, Kim YM. Effects of Aromatherapy on Stress, Sleep, Nausea and Vomiting during Patient Controlled Analgesia Treatment of Patients with Hysterectomy.. Korean J Women Health Nurs. 2013. PMID 37684766. DOI 10.4069/kjwhn.2013.19.4.211. (abstract)
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP); Bampidis V, Azimonti G, et al.. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of expressed mandarin oil from the fruit peels of Citrus reticulata Blanco for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).. EFSA J. 2021. PMID 34136001. DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6625. (full-text)
- Francis GW, Bui YT. Changes in the Composition of Aromatherapeutic Citrus Oils during Evaporation.. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015. PMID 26161120. DOI 10.1155/2015/421695. (abstract)
- Ghiasi A, Bagheri L, Haseli A. A Systematic Review on the Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy during the First Stage of Labor.. J Caring Sci. 2019. PMID 30915314. DOI 10.15171/jcs.2019.008. (abstract)
- Jafarzadeh M, Arman S, Pour FF. Effect of aromatherapy with orange essential oil on salivary cortisol and pulse rate in children during dental treatment: A randomized controlled clinical trial.. Adv Biomed Res. 2013. PMID 23930255. DOI 10.4103/2277-9175.107968. (abstract)
- Johnson JR, Rivard RL, Griffin KH, Kolste AK, Joswiak D, Kinney ME, Dusek JA. The effectiveness of nurse-delivered aromatherapy in an acute care setting.. Complement Ther Med. 2016. PMID 27062964. DOI 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.006. (abstract)
- Kejlova K, Jirova D, Bendova H, Gajdos P, Kolarova H. Phototoxicity of essential oils intended for cosmetic use.. Toxicol In Vitro. 2010. PMID 20688147. DOI 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.07.025. (abstract)
- Nath NS, Liu B, Green C, Atwater AR. Contact Allergy to Hydroperoxides of Linalool and D-Limonene in a US Population.. Dermatitis. 2017. PMID 28885310. DOI 10.1097/DER.0000000000000318. (abstract)
- Schubert S, Geier J, Brans R, Heratizadeh A, Kranke B, Schnuch A, Bauer A, Dickel H, Buhl T, Vieluf D, Wagner N, Worm M. Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients-Results of the IVDK 2018-2020.. Contact Dermatitis. 2023. PMID 37177844. DOI 10.1111/cod.14332. (abstract)
- Sukakul T, Bruze M, Mowitz M, Antelmi A, Bergendorff O, Bjork J, Dahlin J, Hamnerius N, Hauksson I, Isaksson M, Lejding T, Ponten A, Svedman C. Contact allergy to oxidized linalool and oxidized limonene: Patch testing in consecutive patients with dermatitis.. Contact Dermatitis. 2022. PMID 34561893. DOI 10.1111/cod.13980. (abstract)
- Vilaplana J, Romaguera C. Contact dermatitis from the essential oil of tangerine in fragrance.. Contact Dermatitis. 2002. PMID 11918605. DOI 10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.460209.x. (title-only)
- Wen C, Yu Z, Wang J, Deng Q, Deng J, Sun Z, Ye Q, Ye Z, Qin K, Peng X. Inhalation of Citrus Reticulata essential oil alleviates airway inflammation and emphysema in COPD rats through regulation of macrophages.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024. PMID 37981111. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117407. (abstract)
- de Jong M, Lucas C, Bredero H, van Adrichem L, Tibboel D, van Dijk M. Does postoperative 'M' technique massage with or without mandarin oil reduce infants' distress after major craniofacial surgery?. J Adv Nurs. 2012. PMID 22050553. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05861.x. (abstract)
- n/a. FDA: Aromatherapy (page read 2026-10-25; content current as of 2023-09-08). n/a. 2023. (full-text)
- n/a. Poison Control: Essential oils: Poisonous when misused (page read 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. Pet Poison Helpline: Essential Oils (page read 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. GBIF species match for Citrus reticulata (API, checked 2026-10-25). n/a. 2026. (api)
- n/a. PubChem compound records checked 2026-10-25 (limonene 22311, gamma-terpinene 7461, alpha-pinene 6654, beta-pinene 14896, myrcene 31253, methyl N-methylanthranilate 6826, bergapten 2355, bergamottin 5471349, perillaldehyde 16441, 8-methoxypsoralen 4114). n/a. 2026. (api)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- The botanical (Latin) name on the label and 100% pure oil
- A dark glass bottle and a batch number
- Essential oils are strong: dilute for skin, and do not swallow unless a qualified professional directs it
- Keep away from children and pets
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
Support our free guides: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.
