Botanical Name Petitgrain bigarde
Plant Part Leaves and Twigs
Extraction Method Steam
Origin France
Description Petitgrain bigarde is native to Southeast Asia. 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.
Color Pale yellow to Amber
Common Uses Petitgrain is believed to have uplifting properties. Aromatherapists have long used it to calm anger and stress, while it has been used in the skin care industry for acne, oily skin, and as a deodorizing agent.
Strength of Aroma Medium
Blends well with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary sage, Geranium, Lavender, Lime, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Palmarosa, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang.
Aromatic Scent Petitgrain Essential Oil smells like orange blossoms with a bitter, woody and herbaceous undertone.
History 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.
Cautions None Known.