GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Petitgrain
Citrus aurantium L.
Chemotype: linalyl acetate / linalool type
- PLANT PART
- leaves, twigs and small green fruits
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- top
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 55 / 100
- Note layer
- top
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- No restriction cited
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- low
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
Unlike many citrus peel oils, steam-distilled petitgrain leaf/twig oil is not considered phototoxic in the reviewed sources.
Contraindications & cautions
- minorPetitgrain contains the allergenic constituents citral, geraniol, linalool, and limonene, which may produce an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals; patch testing is advised before broad dermal use.
- minorFor external use only; do not use undiluted on the skin and avoid contact with sensitive areas such as the eyes.
- moderateDo not use petitgrain on children under 3 years old.
- minorConsult a healthcare professional before using petitgrain essential oil during pregnancy and nursing.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This profile is anchored to ISO 8901:2003 for cultivated bitter orange petitgrain rather than the distinct Paraguayan type covered by ISO 3064. The normative profile is ester-rich and led by linalyl acetate and linalool, with alpha-terpineol, geraniol, geranyl acetate, limonene, and trans-beta-ocimene as characteristic markers.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limonene | 3.5% | 1–6% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 166: Limonene 1-6%) |
| trans-beta-Ocimene | 2.5% | 1–4% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 167: trans-beta-Ocimene 1-4%) |
| Linalool | 21% | 10–32% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 168: Linalol 10-32%) |
| Linalyl acetate | 56% | 40–72% | monoterpene ester | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 169: Linalyl acetate 40-72%) |
| alpha-Terpineol | 4% | 1–7% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 170: alpha-Terpineol 1-7%) |
| Geraniol | 2.5% | 1–4% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 171: Geraniol 1-4%) |
| Geranyl acetate | 3.5% | 1.5–5.5% | monoterpene ester | View sourceISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.) https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf (Table 1, PDF p.5 / line 172: Geranyl acetate 1.5-5.5%) |
Profile source: ISO 8901:2003 Oil of bitter orange petitgrain, cultivated (Citrus aurantium L.); AromaWeb Petitgrain Bigarade Essential Oil profile · https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/28586/1340051f980e4da09f867f41ab9c2ec5/ISO-8901-2003.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/petitgrain-essential-oil.php
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for calming, stress-easing effect
- reported to support restful sleep and relaxation
- used in perfumery as a fresh, green-floral, slightly bitter citrus-leaf note
- traditionally associated with easing occasional tension and nervous fatigue
- used in massage and bath blends for a soothing, balancing aroma
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 3 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- max_dermal_pct 100 is an archive normalization of unrestricted public safety guidance rather than a source-native numeric leave-on maximum.
- Odor intensity 55 is an archive normalization of AromaWeb's qualitative strength band `Medium`; no source-native 0-100 scale was publicly available in this pass.
- No public source reviewed in this pass provided verified volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values.