As a modern essential oil, Petitgrain Oil is highly valued for its ability to assist in all aspects of life, from aromatherapy to skincare, haircare, cleaning and more.
But what is Petitgrain Oil – and what makes it so good? Let’s explore this essential oil in depth – the benefits and uses of Petitgrain Oil, plus some popular ways to embrace it for optimum health.
What Is Petitgrain Essential Oil?
Petitgrain is an essential oil derived from steam distilling the leaves and twigs of the Citrus aurantium ssp. Amara (or ‘Bitter Orange’) tree native to Paraguay, Morocco and Spain. Despite its origins, there is only a subtle note of citrus to Petitgrain Oil, instead carrying a somewhat spicy, earthy, and slightly sweet aroma (unlike Orange Essential Oil and Neroli Essential Oil, which both stem from different parts of the same plant).
In ancient times, Chinese and South American cultures used the botanical species to treat colds, flu, indigestion and nausea. If you’re wondering what Petitgrain is used for these days, the answer is many things, stretching beyond its original medicinal purposes and into personal care and wellbeing products, such as:
- Aromatherapy: Massage and bath oils
- Fragrances: High-end perfumes and colognes
- Cosmetics: Skincare formulations
With its refreshing scent and naturally balancing properties that calm the mind, soothe the skin, and bring a touch of luxury to everyday self-care rituals, it's no wonder Petitgrain has become a popular essential oil!
Benefits Of Petitgrain Essential Oil
Petitgrain Essential Oil offers a range of benefits for the mind and body - but what exactly can it do? Here are some ways to appreciate using Petitgrain Essential Oil.
Benefits of Petitgrain Essential Oil for Medicinal Use
- When used medicinally, the benefits of Petitgrain Essential Oil have been seen to ease headaches, migraines, nausea, inflammation, and fluid retention.
- When inhaled, it is believed to be an effective agent for many respiratory-related complaints such as asthma, hay fever, and coughing.
- Its powerful aromatic fragrance is widely used as a therapeutic agent to treat symptoms of mental fatigue, anguish, loneliness, and nervousness.
- Another Petitgrain Oil benefit is its ability to assist with insomnia, making it a great essential oil for promoting sleep and rest.
Benefits of Petitgrain Essential Oil for Cosmetic Use
- In skincare, Petitgrain Essential Oil has been seen to assist with acne, pimples, blemishes, and overall skin health.
- When diluted and applied topically, other Petitgrain Essential Oil benefits include easing skin complaints such as rosacea and sunburn.
- Petitgrain Oil also makes a fantastic natural toner, working to minimise pores, smooth the skin's surface and brighten its complexion.
Benefits of Petitgrain Essential Oil in Aromatherapy
- In aromatherapy, Petitgrain Essential Oil is known to simultaneously uplift and relax the mind.
- For this reason, it is often used by those who struggle with feelings of stress, anxiety and nervous exhaustion.
Popular Uses and Benefits of Petitgrain Essential Oil
From skincare to stress relief – and that’s just for starters – here are some of the most popular uses for sweet smelling, naturally balancing Petitgrain Oil.
Petitgrain Essential Oil for Sleep
- The mild sedative properties within Petitgrain Oil work to quieten the brain and central nervous system, making it a fantastic essential oil for sleep.
- For this reason, those who suffer from insomnia may find this oil beneficial when used at bedtime or whenever you need to rest.
Petitgrain Essential Oil for Skin
- Petitgrain Oil has been seen to soothe inflammation and calm problematic skin.
- The powerful antibacterial properties in Petitgrain Oil also work to cleanse the skin and eliminate bacteria that may initiate acne breakouts.
- Due to its stimulating and toning activity, Petitgrain Essential Oil is known to minimise pores and nourish the complexion, leaving the skin with a radiating glow.
Petitgrain Essential Oil for Emotions
- In aromatherapy, Petitgrain Oil is highly valued for its ability to calm the central nervous system and balance emotions.
- This makes it particularly beneficial to anyone feeling anxious or experiencing symptoms of stress.
Petitgrain Essential Oil for Hair
- With its gentle antimicrobial qualities, Petitgrain Oil can help keep the scalp clean and reduce the risk of buildup or flakiness.
- Its natural astringent properties help regulate sebum production, balancing the scalp’s natural oil and benefiting oily or combination skin.
Petitgrain Essential Oil for Spasms
- Petitgrain Essential Oil exhibits powerful antispasmodic activity, making it effective for muscular cramps, gastrointestinal discomforts and excessive coughing.
- When applied topically, it induces relaxation in muscle tissues, nerves and blood vessels to ease spasming.
Petitgrain Essential Oil for Deodorising
- Due to its refreshing, energising and balanced aroma, Petitgrain Essential Oil is great for those wanting to eliminate odours in their home.
- Additionally, the antibacterial properties within this oil also make it a great natural cleaning agent for use on surfaces where germs can gather.
How to Use Petitgrain Essential Oil
There are many ways to enjoy the balancing effects of Petitgrain Essential Oil in your daily routine. Here’s how to use it safely and effectively.
Using Petitgrain Essential Oil in a Diffuser
- Diffusing: One of the most common ways to use Petitgrain Essential Oil is in an aromatherapy diffuser filling your space with its pleasant aroma and uplifting your mind.
- Inhaling: Add a drop of Petitgrain Oil to a tissue and inhale, while ensuring that the oil does not come into direct contact with the skin as this may cause irritation.
- Warm Bath: Add a few drops to a warm bath to ease inflammation and create a relaxing environment.
- Cleansing Shower: You can also add a drop of Petitgrain Oil to each corner of your shower; the aroma will rise with the steam to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Using Petitgrain Essential Oil Topically (on the skin)
- Massage: For those wanting to ease soreness and inflammation, you can create a Petitgrain infused massage oil by adding a few drops to a carrier oil or base massage oil.
- Skin Serum: To treat various skin complaints, dilute your oil in your favourite carrier oil (like Jojoba or Rosehip Oil) and apply to affected areas.
- Moisturiser: Petitgrain Essential Oil can also be added to your existing moisturisers or skincare products to enhance their benefits.
- Scalp treatment: Add a few drops of Petitgrain Oil to your conditioner and massage into the scalp, then leave for 5 minutes before rinsing as normal.
For safe topical application, follow our essential oils dilution guide below.
Where to Buy Petitgrain Essential Oil
Petitgrain Essential Oil can be found in many health, cosmetic, and wellbeing stores. However, it is important to know that the quality and purity of essential oils will vary according to where they are purchased. For this reason, we always recommend finding a reputable and reliable supplier who is willing to provide full product documentation.
At AWO, quality and purity are of paramount importance and that is why we only provide 100% pure and natural Petitgrain Essential Oil.
What Our Customers Are Saying About Petitgrain Essential Oil
“This is a really nice soft scent, with a bit of a citrus zing. Great for adding to homemade cleaning products and cosmetics."
Helbo (Verified Customer)
Helbo (Verified Customer)
“Interesting woody citrus smell. Long lasting strong scent”
Am (Verified Customer)
Am (Verified Customer)
Petitgrain Essential Oil Safety
While essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using Petitgrain Essential Oils during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your Essential Oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and out of reach from children or pets.
- Petitgrain Essential Oil is very concentrated and is likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oil before using it topically (on the skin). Follow our recommended dilution guidelines for safe use.