The bitter orange tree yields a variety of products, including essential oil cold pressed from the fruit peel, neroli distilled from the flowers, petitgrain distilled from the leaves and twigs.
The tree grows to be four to seven meters tall, with brilliant green foliage that is interlaced with an abundance of white, waxy blooms that hold the intoxicating aroma of orange blossom in the springtime.
The name “petitgrain” was first used to mean the small, green fruit of the bitter orange tree, then to name their essential oil. Later, the term was applied to the essential oil obtained from the leaves of the bitter orange.
Aromatherapy Applications:
- Uplifting & energizing can be blended with lemon, geranium, peppermint, and basil
- Great for Insomnia can be blended with lavender and marjoram
Details:
Botanical Name: Citrus x aurantium amara.
Family: Rutaceae
Country of Origin: Egypt
Extraction Method: Steam distilled
Plant Part Used: leaves
Note: Top note
Aroma: fresh, floral, sweet, orange-flower, woody, herbal, and zesty green
Color: Pale yellow
Blends well with most essential oils
Shelf Life: 4 – 5 Years
Safety
- For topical application don’t use directly on the skin, dilute with a carrier oil
- A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.
- Discontinue use if skin sensitivity occurs
- Add 4-5 drops for Diffusing
- Don’t ingest
- Keep out of reach of children, Avoid using if pregnant or nursing
References:
- Essential oil safety ( Tisserand and young ) second Edition
- Charles Fetrow & Julian Avila (2000) The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicine
- https://www.foodchemicalscodex.org/
- Lawrence BM, Essential oils from Agriculture to Chemistry
- The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Salvatore Battaglia
- Arcatender Perfume and flavor materials of natural origin
Petitgrain Bigarade (Citrus x aurantium L.) 15 ML
BY GC-MS analysis
GC: Agilent 6890N
Column: HP-5
Carrier gas: Helium
Name
%
Chemical family
Alpha pinene
0.193
Monoterpene
Sabinene
0.59
Monoterpene
Beta pinene
1.58
Monoterpene
Myrcene
2.75
Monoterpene
D- limonene
7.96
Monoterpene
Trans beta ocimene
2.90
Monoterpene
Linalool
28.56
Alcohol
Alpha-Terpineol
4.58
Alcohol
Linalyl acetate
46.54
Ester
Neryl acetate
2.08
Ester
Geranyl acetate
3.8
Ester
Nerolidol
0.12
Alcohol
Trans Farnesol
0.24
Alcohol