Petitgrain Oil

NOTE Top

COST £3.50 to £5.50 for 10ml

FAMILY NAME Rutaceae

LATIN NAME Citrus aurantium var. amara fol

ACTIONS Antiseptic, antispasmodic, deodorant, digestive, Antidepressant.

INDICATIONS Historically, Petitgrain has been used to calm the intestinal tract therefore could be useful for treating dyspepsia and wind. However as the oil cannot be taken internally, massage to the chest is the only option available for treating dyspepsia and other stomach conditions. Therefore I feel that Petitgrain would be of little use in treating stomach conditions. (Try Peppermint Oil capsules instead)

Also indicated for treating Greasy skin, nervous exhaustion, stress and Depression.

Plus other traditional uses in Aromatherapy do suggest that Petitgrain may be useful to help calm anxiety, lethargy and especially insomnia, it's worth a try to see if it may also help asthma.

SAFETY DATA - CONTRA INDICATIONS Not to be used if exposure to strong sunlight or sun beds is possible after using this oil in a massage blend.

BLENDS WELL WITH

Rosemary, Lavender, geranium, Clarysage, Jasmine, Benzoin and Clove.

REMARKS

The oil is derived from the bitter Orange Tree (from the leaves & twigs). This tree is unique in producing three major essential oils, Bitter Orange oil, Petitgrain Oil, and Neroli, Orange Blossom.

The odour of Petitgrain should be reminiscent of earthy potatoes, with a slight floral back note. Petitgrain oil is one of the ingredients of eau-de-cologne.

The name petitgrain is used as a general term for oils distilled from citrus trees, and should be qualified to indicate which tree the oil was obtained. (orange bitter or sweet, lemon, mandarin etc.)

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Hydrocarbons - monoterpines (10%) plus other hydrocarbons.

Alcohols - Monoterpinols (30-40%) linalool 20-27.9% plus other alcohols.

Esters (50-70%) - linalyl acetate plus other esters.

Alderhydes - trace of

Phenols - trace of

Coumarins - citropten and bergapten.