COMMON NAME: Petitgrain, Bigarde, Bigarade Oil, Bitter Orange Petitgrain

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrus aurantium, C. Bigaradia, C. aurantium var, amara

FAMILY NAME: Rutaceae (Rue, Citrus)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Southern China, India

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Egypt, North Africa, Paraguay, Italy

HISTORY INFORMATION: This oil was once abstracted from small unripe fruit as the name means little grains. Now it is taken from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree. It was and is a major ingredient in eau-de-cologne. Main use of this oil has been in perfumery.

GENERAL INFORMATION: There are also petitgrains made from bergamot, combava, lemon and tangerine and mandarin trees. Petitgrain sur fleurs is the name of the absolute water coming from this plant.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An evergreen tree growing to 33ft high with dark green, glossy, oval leaves bearing white flowers producing green fruit ripening to yellow.

PARTS PROCESSED: Leaves and twigs

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled

COLOR RANGE: Light yellow to amber

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Ester. Linalyl acetate up to 55%, geranyl acetate, linalool, nerol, there is a wide variance

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antistress, astringent, calmative, deodorant, digestive, fixative, nervine, refreshing, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, uplifting. Used for acne, excessive perspiration, greasy skin and hair, toning, dyspepsia, flatulence, convalescence, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, stress related conditions. Used to cool, calm the nerves, relieve anxiety, reduce tension and mental stress, promote restful sleep.

MENTAL USES: I find myself flowing and changing with life effortlessly and painlessly. I can feel my pain and use it to learn more about myself and my life. Life is easy.

EMOTIONAL USES: Addictive, depressed, rigid, fanatic, extremist, perfectionist, struggle with life, depressed TO more open, tolerant, flexible, adaptable, able to work through your "stuff," uplifted, loving towards others and self.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate you need to work through your stuff, but don't seem to have a clue as to what your stuff is. You can have emotional trauma caught in your field, especially the solar plexus with what appears as armor around it to protect it. This armoring can lead to extremist or fanatic behavior and to you it will only seem normal. Petitgrain clears and stimulates the spleen and solar plexus chakras and balances the nervous system and clears armoring from the energy field. You are then lighter and can more easily interact with the world with more tolerance and compassion. It strengthens the physical and etheric body.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath, diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, liquid candle, massage, mist spray, stream inhalation.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic, nonphototoxic, nonsensitizing, cross sensitivity with balsams.