# Petitgrain essential oil

> Petitgrain is steam-distilled from bitter orange leaves and twigs — a green, slightly floral citrus oil distinct from neroli or orange peel oil.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/petitgrain

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Citrus aurantium
- **Plant part:** Leaves and twigs
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Green, woody, softly floral
- **Origin:** Mediterranean
- **Blends with:** Neroli, bergamot

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 15 GC-MS samples from 9 peer-reviewed papers (2016–2026); Moderate evidence base. 64 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 33.35 | 3.86–85.33 | 95.3 | 7 |
| linalyl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 22.23 | 6.84–40.87 | 57.13 | 4 |
| linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 7.69 | 1.5–26.35 | 30.2 | 7 |
| geranyl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 4.83 | 2.7–5.95 | 10.12 | 5 |
| α-terpineol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 3.75 | 2.1–5.39 | 7.06 | 6 |
| nerolidol | Oxygenated sesquiterpene | 4.61 | 3.44–5.21 | 6.91 | 4 |
| myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.33 | 1.05–1.69 | 3.5 | 8 |
| β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.99 | 0.78–1.61 | 3.98 | 7 |
| β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 0.36 | 0.21–0.95 | 1 | 5 |
| terpinolene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.43 | 0.33–0.44 | 0.44 | 4 |
| α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.24 | 0.16–0.33 | 0.4 | 4 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: limonene (33% of samples), linalyl acetate (27% of samples), linalool (13% of samples), caryophyllene oxide (13% of samples), d-limonene (9) (7% of samples), 1,8-cineole (7% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Linalyl acetate** (40-55%) — The dominant ester, giving petitgrain a soft, sweet-green character
- **Linalool** (20-30%) — Adds a floral-woody softness beneath the ester note

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops is a refreshing, daytime-friendly scent that layers with florals and woodsy notes.
- **On skin:** Dilute to 2–4% in a carrier oil; also popular in scalp and hair-care blends.

## Safety

- As a leaf oil rather than an expressed peel oil, petitgrain doesn't carry citrus phototoxicity concerns — still, dilute and patch-test before use.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- A gentle, well-tolerated oil; it contains linalool and linalyl acetate, so patch-test if you have sensitive skin.
- Not phototoxic — distilled from leaves, it carries none of the phototoxic coumarins of citrus peel oils.
- Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Petitgrain shares its calming, linalool-and-linalyl-acetate chemistry with lavender and neroli. Its relaxing reputation is traditional and preliminary rather than clinically established. — Italian Citrus Petitgrain Oils study (1997) (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1997.10554241)

## Evidence

- Petitgrain is an ester-rich oil dominated by linalyl acetate and linalool — a soft, green-floral profile close to neroli's, from the same tree. — Italian Citrus Petitgrain Oils study (1997) (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1997.10554241)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is petitgrain made from?

Petitgrain is distilled from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium) — the same tree that gives neroli (from the blossoms) and bitter orange (from the peel). Three oils, three plant parts.

### Is petitgrain phototoxic?

No — because it's distilled from leaves rather than pressed from peel, it carries no phototoxic coumarins. There's no sun-exposure restriction.

### How is petitgrain different from neroli?

Both are ester-rich and calming, but petitgrain (leaves/twigs) is greener, fresher, and far more affordable, while neroli (blossoms) is softer, sweeter, and much pricier.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Elhawary EA, Nilofar N, Zengin G, Eldahshan OA. Variation of the essential oil components of Citrus aurantium leaves upon using different distillation techniques and evaluation of their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effect against Alzheimer's disease. _BMC complementary medicine and therapies_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10835836
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the leaves of Citrus × aurantium L. (petitgrain bigarade oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8193547
- Ellouze I, Ben Akacha B, Mekinić IG, Ben Saad R, Kačániová M, Kluz MI, Mnif W, Garzoli S, Ben Hsouna A. Enhancing Antibacterial Efficacy: Synergistic Effects of Citrus aurantium Essential Oil Mixtures against Escherichia coli for Food Preservation. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11475270
- Zhang Q, Song W, Tao G, Li Q, Wang L, Huang W, Gao L, Yin L, Ye Y. Comparison of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities for the Immature Fruits of Citrus changshan-huyou Y.B. Chang and Citrus aurantium L. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10343504
- Elmaidomy AH, Mohamed EM, El-Dien RTM, Abou-Zied HA, Mostafa AA, Taha RH, El-Badry MA, Abdelmohsen UR, Youssif KA. Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oils from Citrus limon, Citrus aurantium, and Citrus margarita against Musca domestica. _Scientific reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13096227
- Ailli A, Handaq N, Touijer H, Gourich AA, Drioiche A, Zibouh K, Eddamsyry B, El Makhoukhi F, Mouradi A, Bin Jardan YA, Bourhia M, Elomri A, Zair T. Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Essential Oils from Six Aromatic Medicinal Plants with Cosmetic Properties. _Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10135202
- Taiti C, Di Sotto A, Stefano G, Percaccio E, Iannone M, Marianelli A, Garzoli S. Identification of Volatile Molecules and Bioactivity of Gruyt Craft Beer Enriched with Citrus aurantium var. dulcis L. Essential Oil. _International journal of molecular sciences_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10779301
- Badalamenti N, Bruno M, Schicchi R, Geraci A, Leporini M, Gervasi L, Tundis R, Loizzo MR. Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils, and Their Combinations, Obtained from Flavedo By-Product of Seven Cultivars of Sicilian Citrus aurantium L. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8911714
- Sanei-Dehkordi A, Sedaghat MM, Vatandoost H, Abai MR. Chemical Compositions of the Peel Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium and Its Natural Larvicidal Activity against the Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Comparison with Citrus paradisi. _Journal of arthropod-borne diseases_, 2016. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC5186748

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._