Essentialz Profile ~ Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium amara)

When opening your Petitgrain bottle you get a refreshingly sweet floral aroma, followed by a woody undertone that has a fresh herbaceous note to it. It’s aromatic note is top, with a medium aroma and a thin consistency, which if you’re new to essential oils means it runs out of the dripulator fast!

It blends well with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary sage, Geranium, Lavender, Lime, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Palmarosa, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang, and has a recommended blending factor of 5 (ie 5 drops in your initial blend based on a 20ml bottle and a 10 drop blend to 20ml of carrier oil).

Petitgrain bigarade is native to Southeast Asia and India.  The tree now grows throughout the Mediterranean and sub-tropic areas worldwide.  The bitter orange tree that provides the Petitgrain Essential Oil is also the source of Bitter Orange Oil and Neroli Oil.

Originally the oil was produced in distilleries from the unripe oranges when they were the size of cherries. This explains why it is named petitgrain – which in French means little grains. Nonetheless, this proved to be uneconomical and so the oil began being extracted from the leaves and twigs of the orange tree instead.

With its therapeutic properties being Antidepressant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antispasmodic, Deodorant, Digestive, Sedative and Stomachic, it’s predominantly used for the Digestive, Nervous, Respiratory and Skincare Body Systems. Petitgrain resembles neroli, however it is not as sweet, although I find it more refreshing and it can be used in its place as cheaper option.

Petitgrain is an alternative option to Peppermint for dyspepsia, and it can be used by inhalation or a roller ball formula that you can apply to the area of your pain.

An antidepressant, petitgrain also increases perception and awareness, and re-establishes trust and self-confidence. Aromatherapists have long used it to calm anger and stress. It’s also a wonderful blend for mental stress when feeling tired and have a deadline to meet. And, as it can help with insomnia, it won’t stimulate your brain to the point it will keep you up all night when it’s time to sleep.

For those who suffer from asthma induced by nervousness, petitgrain is a handy one to have on hand to inhale and control breathing whilst having a panic attack, and can be used for Hayfever for this reason as well as for it’s antispasmodic function.

Petitgrain has been used in the skin care industry for acne, oily skin, and as a deodorising agent. Its soothing on cystic acne as it helps reduce the overactive sebaceous gland and calms the skin. 

Very popular in the perfumery industry as it's used in eau de cologne.

Comforting and emotionally nourishing, petitgrain is a nurturer and its energetics are Cooling and calming for hot conditions of the body, Warming to the spirit and soul.  Yin Energy.  A gentle oil that helps us feel whole again when we feel fragile, without being overpowering like neroli can be. Revitalising, balancing, Restoring.

It’s Planet is Sun, Astral Element is Fire and its Chinese Element is Wood, associated with the Liver Organ.

Chakra is Throat, and its Crystal it works best with is Aquamarine.

You’ll find Petitgrain available under Aromatherapy with Clinical grade, Organic and Perfumery options available.