Mandarin & Tangerine

These are small oranges with light peel. Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, originating in tropical and subtropical southeast Asia. The plants are large shrubs or small trees, reaching 5-15 m tall, with spiny shoots and alternately arranged evergreen leaves with an entire margin. The flowers are solitary or in small corymbs, each flower 2-4 cm diameter, with five (rarely four) white petals and numerous stamens; they are often very strongly scented. The fruit is a hesperidium, a specialised berry, globose to elongated, 4-30 cm long and 4-20 cm diameter, with a leathery rind surrounding segments filled with pulp vesicles. The genus is commercially important as many species are cultivated for their fruit, which are eaten fresh or pressed for juice.

The juice contains a high quantity of citric acid giving them their characteristic sharp flavour. They are also good sources of vitamin C and flavonoids. Also rather important are the viral infections to which some of these ectoparasites serve as vectors such as the aphid-transmited Citrus tristeza virus which when unchecked by proper methods of control is very devastating to citrine plantations.

Benefit and uses of Mandarin & Tangerine.

• Tangerine oil is soothing to the nervous system and has a tonic effect on the digestive system, while helping flatulence, diarrhea and constipation. It is also useful for the skin and is used to help with stretch marks, increasing circulation and reducing fluid retention.
• Mandarin juice also has medical uses - the lemon juice is used to cure bee stings. The orange is also used in Vitamin C pills.
• Mandarin is a wonderfully soothing & calming oil & is gentle enough to use on very small children & babies.
• Its aroma clears the mind and can help to eliminate emotional confusion. Aromatherapists also consider it to be very comforting, soothing and warming.
• Tangerine used in perfumes, soaps, and as an antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, sedative, stimulant (digestive and lymphatic), and tonic agent.
• It can be used to treat the side effects of Western modalities of treatment.
• It is often less expensive than standard allopathic treatment.
• Tangerine is a saturated Fat Free, Sodium Free, Cholesterol Free, High in Fiber, High in Vitamin C, Fat Free.