Neroli-Petitgrain Organic Co-distillation by Floracopeia 1 Dram

Well-rounded and complex, our neroli petitgrain co-distillation skillfully blends the honeyed fragrance of neroli oil with the pungent, slightly bitter notes of petitgrain. Organically distilling both the blossoms, leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree produces an aromatic matrix of floral citrus which is uniquely euphoric and sensual.

Unlike neroli, petitgrain does not have a long history of therapeutic use. Until recently it was used exclusively for perfumery purposes. Both neroli and petitgrain, however, are notable for their calming, centering, uplifting effect. Both are supportive to all body systems, and are known to promote comfort in the muscles and joints and encourage a balanced monthly cycle for women. Employed in direct inhalation, this oil will settle cramps or an upset belly. Similarly applied, both the emotional and physical heart may be soothed and supported by the use of neroli petitgrain oil. This blend is well suited for use when convalescing after illness. Petitgrain and neroli co-distillation is lovely for enhancing skin health and balance, improving tone, texture and clarity.

The calming and settling effect of neroli petitgrain renders it useful to promote relaxation, uplift the mood, reduce stress, and support the body to stabilize after shock or trauma. A tonic and restorative to the brain, diffused neroli petitgrain soothes and uplifts the mind while relaxing the body. Neroli petitgrain can also promote deep, restful sleep. A well-known oil used to inspire sensual moods, neroli/petitgrain can be used in a bath or diluted in a massage oil to celebrate a loved one.

Petitgrain refers to the steam distillation of organic neroli leaves and twigs. Floracopeia’s Neroli Petitgrain is a codistillation of organic neroli blossoms and the petitgrain green parts of the plant.

• Direct Palm Inhalation: Use two drops of neroli petitgrain in direct palm inhalation to settle the heart and promote tranquility.

Neroli petitgrain essential oil can be applied topically, as a compress, in the bath, through direct inhalation, or in the diffuser. Neroli should be used sparingly, as its effects are significant.

• Glowing Skin: Blend neroli petitgrain oil in marula oil with a drop of helichrysum to support smooth, even, radiant skin.
• Balancing Bath: Add two drops to bathwater to support feelings of well being and to soothe the skin.
• Relax and Rest Diffuser: Diffuse 2 drops with 5 drops lavender to encourage deep, restful sleep and feelings of calm and tranquility.

Please use safety precautions, because citrus and the sun are incompatible. Citrus oils, including petitgrain, are phototoxic, and can damage your skin if rubbed on the skin and exposed to sunlight. Read more about citrus oil and the sun.

• Soothing Massage Blend: 2 drops neroli, 4 drops orange, 6 drops ginger, 2 drops black pepper, in 15 mL jojoba oil
• Smooth Skin Blend: 3 drops neroli, 6 drops mandarin, 10 drops helichrysum, 3 drops lavender, in 15 mL rosehip seed and tamanu oil

Neroli comes from the bitter orange tree, whose blossoms are picked and must immediately be put to distillation to avoid decay due to the delicacy of the flowers. Typically the blossoms are distilled first, producing neroli essential oil. The water soluble component is bottled as orange blossom water. Next follows distillation of the leaves, resulting in petitgrain oil. The rind of the fruit, at maturity, is expeller pressed to produce bitter orange oil. One hundred kilograms of flowers produces a maximum of 1,000 grams (1 kilogram) of neroli oil, making it a very precious and costly oil. Owing to its high cost, neroli oil is very commonly adulterated, either with petitgrain or synthetics, which compromises both the therapeutic qualities and aromatic profile.

Petitgrain refers to the distillation of leaves, and sometimes twigs, of a citrus tree. In earlier days petitgrain oil was extracted from the small, unripe green fruit of various citrus trees. This proved economically unviable, however, as it resulted in a much smaller harvest of ripe fruit, so the name was transferred to the distillation of leaves and twigs. Petitgrain oil may be produced from bergamot, lemon, mandarin, and sweet orange leaves. Petitgrain of neroli is a classic ingredient in traditional French eau de cologne and has been used extensively in the perfumery industry, particularly as a substitute for the more costly neroli oil.

Neroli oil is used in expensive colognes and perfumes, and was given its name after the Countess of Nerola, an Italian Princess from the 17th century who used it to perfume her gloves and bathwater. The history of the tree itself, however, predates this association, as Arab conquerors are known to have been cultivating the plant in the 10th and 11th centuries. One study sites that the inhalation of neroli oil has sedative effects on mice, which is greatest during first 30 minutes of inhalation.

David Crow on Neroli: Neroli is the fragrance of orange trees blossoming under the Moroccan and Tunisian sun. It is the fragrance that greets farmers as they begin another spring day of harvesting, gently plucking the tiny golden gems that shine from inside green citrus foliage. Many factors will influence the quality of the neroli oil: each blossom must be plucked when it is just starting to open; the buds must be gathered only on warm sunny days; the flowers cannot be bruised; leaflets and petioles must not be mixed in. By the end of the day, the clothing and weather-aged hands of the dark-skinned harvesters will be saturated with an intoxicating aroma desired by queens and empresses, sheiks and maharajas.

Read the full article on Neroli here.