A Guide To Petitgrain Essential Oil and Its Benefits and Uses

"The spirit of petitgrain is embodied in gentle strength, encouraging positive resolutions and outcomes at difficult times," writes aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in Aromatherapy For the Soul.

Worwood says the emotional benefits of petitgrain essential oil (Citrus aurantium var. amara) are to encourage harmony, upliftment, joy, inner vision, strength, self-confidence, and expressiveness.

You may also hear this oil called petitgrain bigarade or bitter orange leaf.

Basic Petitgrain Facts

Plant family: Rutaceae

Production: Steam distilled from leaves, stems, and sometimes the unripe fruit of the bitter orange tree. (The oil is also available as an absolute.) Two other oils also come from the bitter orange tree: neroli, distilled from the orange blossoms, and bitter orange oil pressed from rind of the ripe fruit.

Aroma: Fresh, sweet, tart with subtle floral and woody tones.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Top

Is petitgrain safe to use during pregnancy? Yes, according to Aromatherapy and Massage For Mother and Baby.

Is petitgrain essential oil safe for children? Do not use with babies.

Main components:

• linalyl acetate
• linalol
• (+)-limonene
• a-terpineol
  

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Benefits Of Petitgrain Essential Oil

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art: Petitgrain helps relieve depression by increasing perception and awareness and reestablishing trust and self-confidence.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Petitgrain may help relieve stress-related conditions, nervous spasm, muscle spasm, general aches, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, stress, tension, and irritability.

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Use petitgrain in skin care as a toner and for acne, excessive perspiration, and greasy skin and hair. The oil may also help relieve indigestion, flatulence, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, and stress-related conditions.

Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume I: Psychologically, petitgrain promotes emotional stability and strength. Physically, the essential oil relaxes hypertonic/tense and regulates dysregulated conditions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the essential function of the oil is to regulate the Qi, settle the heart, and harmonize the Shen. Suggested blends:

• Petitgrain + lavender to relax the nervous system in many stress-related conditions
• Petitgrain + mandarin or bergamot for nervous tension, anxiety, or insomnia
• Petitgrain + angelica root as a nervous system restorative for ADD, ADHD, or nervous burnout
  

Subtle Aromatherapy: Petitgrain relates to the conscious, intellectual mind. Inhale the scent for mental clarity.

The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing: Spiritually, petitgrain promotes uplifting, peaceful, and calm meditation and helps reduce mind chatter. The essential oil is emotionally calming and uplifting. Mentally, use the oil for manifestation and to help create your own reality.

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Petitgrain brings in positive energy, promotes optimism, calms, and revitalizes. The oil is especially useful for the third chakra to promote self-esteem, self-control, self-confidence, and an optimistic attitude.

Petitgrain Oil Uses and Recipes

Citrus Perfume Balm

Apply this balm to your wrist and neck pulse points for a gentle, natural
perfume.

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) beeswax
• 6 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 4 drops petitgrain
• 5 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 6 drops neroli essential oil
• 4 one-ounce tins with lids
  

1. In a double boiler, melt and combine the beeswax and jojoba oil.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat.
3. Add the essential oils and stir.
4. Pour the mixture into tins. Add lids. Let fully cool and harden before using (at least an hour).
   

Source: Essential Living

Aftershave Gel

Splash on this blend after shaving:

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon glycerin
• 6 drops petitgrain essential oil
• 12 drops patchouli essential oil
• Distilled water to thin, if needed (2–4 tablespoons)

1. Combine aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and glycerine in a bowl and whisk until combined.
2. Add essential oils. Whisk again to combine.
   
3. If it’s thicker than you’d like, add some water, a little at a time, mixing as you go until you reach the desired consistency.
4. Using a funnel if desired to reduce spillage, pour the mixture into a clean bottle.
   

Refrigeration suggested for a longer shelf life.
Source: Aloe Vera Beauty Tips and Recipes from Seven Minerals

Skin Scrub

Gently use this skin scrub in the shower or bath.

1. Add enough carrier oil to 1 cup fine sea salt to make a paste.
2. Add one of the following essential oil blends.

• Enlivening blend: 3 drops petitgrain, 1 drop patchouli, 1 drop peppermint
• Soothing blend: 2 drops petitgrain, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops ylang ylang

Source: 10 Recipes with Petitgrain Essential Oil

Calming Massage Oil

Enjoy a massage or self-massage!

• 6 drops petitgrain essential oil
• 5 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 4 drops of neroli essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Source: AromaSense

Photo Credit: Zeynel Cebeci / CC BY-SA