Dried oranges are one of the prettiest things in my house. When the sun shines through their dried segments, it looks like stained glass. I love hanging them from windowsills and dotting the house with bowls interspersed with orange slices and other seasonally appropriate herbs. There is something decidedly delightful about having all these little reminders of sunshine about on dreary days. Of course, dried oranges can be used for more than altars, garlands, and potpourri. Add them to teas, syrups, potions, sugars, and salts. Dried orange peel can be substituted equally for fresh zest in recipes.
Culinary and Household Uses for Dried Orange Slices
- Dried orange slices make beautiful additions to winter decorations including wreaths, garland, and potpourri.
- You can use them to flavor water or tea.
- They jazz up cocktails and platters as garnish.
- Dip them in chocolate or eat them plain. Either way, they’re a tasty snack.
- Grind them up into powder to add to marinades and baked goods.
- Grind up and add to baking soda for a refreshing pre-vacuum floor powder.
Medicinal Properties
- antimicrobial
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- antiemetic
- antitumor
- anti-anxiety
- cooling
- carminative
- nutritive
- rich in vitamin C
- contains folic acid
- increases the absorption of iron
- induces the release of the hormone dopamine
- tonic
Holistic Uses
- anemia
- anxiety
- digestive aid
- asthma
- coughs
- fevers
- colic
- headache
- may reduce neurodegenerative changes
- may aid in the treatment of chronic illness
- may improve arterial wall function
- may reduce thyroid overactivity
- may lower blood glucose and stimulate insulin
Eat the fruit as a food or drink the freshly squeezed juice. As with all fruit, it’s better not to consume large quantities, especially of the juice, because of the high sugar content. Commercial juices have lower vitamin C content. The whole fruit is best as it still contains the fiber component. For cooking, Seville oranges are considered the best for marmalade, and the essential oils extracted from the unripe fruits are the key flavor in the liquors Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Triple Sec and Curacao.
Contraindications, Side Effects and Interactions
The fruit is generally considered safe and no side-effects have been observed. However, migraine sufferers can be sensitive to oranges and, if so, they should be avoided.
Doses
- Tea: 4–6g a day of cut peel in 8oz boiled water, steeped for 10-15 minutes, three times daily.
- As a dietary supplement, the oil (if marked for consumption) can be used in a low dosage of 2–3 drops a day.
- As aromatherapy, it can be used topically or inhaled as a vapor.
- Externally, rub diluted orange oil on sore joints to reduce inflammation. Be aware the using orange oil increases the risk of sun burn, so use with caution.
Magickal Properties
- Abundance
- Love
- Marriage
- Happiness
- Luck
- Money
- Prosperity
- Healing
- Fidelity
- Fertility
- Peace
- Purification
- Divination
- Renewal
- Home and business blessings
- Clarity
- Success
- Growth
- Sun magick and celebrations
- Healthy sexuality
Magickal Associations and Correspondences
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Chakra: Sacral
Simple Spells
- Add dried orange slices to career and confidence spells.
- Hand on garlands with cinnamon to bring prosperity to the household.
- Add to winter decorations to beckon the sun’s return.
- To protect and preserve love and marital harmony, orange blossoms should be added to a wedding bouquet, saved, and burned along with a piece of paper containing the names of the couple. The ashes should then be placed in a red bag or small bottle with a piece of true silver and stored in a safe place.
- Flowers, seeds, peels, and dried slices can be added to love sachets, charms, and spells.
- Bathing in an infusion of orange peels is said to increase one’s attractiveness.
- For prosperity magic, orange peels can be added to spell mixtures, incense, or powders to increase the potency of the spell.
- Carry dried orange slices on your person to uplift, energize, and bring good luck.
- Due to its association with the Sun, place oranges on your Yule and Litha altars to symbolize the return of the Sun at Yule and his rise in strength at Litha.
Purchase dried orange slices in the Apothecary.
Learn more about Orange Essential Oil.
Dig Deeper into your herbal education by exploring other herbs and oils.
Disclaimer: Please note that I am a not medical professional and everything written here is a product of my own research. Don’t take any advice given here over that of a trained doctor. If you ingest any herbs, always make sure that you’re 100% sure that they’re safe. If you’re pregnant or giving to a child, always consult a doctor before ingesting herbs and plant you aren’t familiar with. Magickal instruction and spells are for personal entertainment purposes only. The desired result/outcome cannot be guaranteed as a result of using any magickal item, and should not be used as a replacement for medical/professional assistance.
