Petitgrain Oil

Petitgrain oil is an essential oil, clear and crisp. The aromatic oil is extracted from the Rutaceae family called Citrus aurantium var. Amara. The other popular names it is known as are petitgrain bigarade and Citrus bigardia. The minds’ intellectual side gets a major boost with this essential oil. In terms of viscosity it is watery in colour and also flaunts amber and a pale yellow at times.

It has a nice fragrant and woody aroma. From the orange tree this oil is one of the three obtained via extraction from the fruit rind, twigs, leaves and flowers to yield about 0.5 to 1% oil. Green oranges in unripe cherry sized form were used for extracting the oil once upon a time, but the leaves are now used popularly for extracting the essential oil. The aroma is popular the world over not only in spas but also in homes and offices.

Petitgrain Oil Chemical Components

Petitgrain means little or small grains and since the oil is available from the small cherry like mangoes it derived this queer name. In the making of eau de cologne, perfumes pharmaceutical products the essential fragrant oil is popularly used.  Trans-ocimene, geraniol, neryl acetate, linalool, myrcene, nerol, linalyl acetate, y-terpineol and geranyl acetate are the various chemical components present in the essence.

For dedicated spa and therapy center vaporization and burner treatments too this oil is popularly used. Depression and anxiety can be treated best with organic oil from the Petitgrain tree.  A bit of precaution and care needs to be taken while using it as it is known to be non phototoxic. The essence is also non toxic, non-sensitizing and non irritant. All these properties make it a must-have at home and in spas.

Petitgrain oil benefits

Uses of this oil are many and that is why it is a popular ingredient in many spa treatments and as part of alternative remedies. It helps in calming panic and anger, treats insomnia; it also calms heart beats that beat rapidly when palpitation sets in, treats blemishes on the skin and clears greasy type of skin.  It helps in treatment of conditions that are related to stress, relaxes the body, encourages easy breathing, relaxes spasms in muscles and reduces pain in the stomach. After an illness it is great to use it as a convalescent, and also for toning the skin and reducing perspiration that takes place excessively in some people leading to body odour.

You can dilute this essential oil in bath water or use it as oil for massaging the body for relaxation purposes as often as possible. Lotions and creams are also made from this oil for treating different kinds of skin ailments including pimples and acne. It blends in easily with sandalwood, lavender, geranium, bergamot, rosewood and palmrosa. It is always best seek the advice of a good doctor before using any kind of product, including the essence of this aromatic and organic product on the body