Coming from the leaves of the bitter orange tree, Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil has remarkable effects on the nervous system. A true anti-stress oil, it will promote relaxation and calming with its smell which, according to people, will evoke orange blossom. In cosmetics, it will be the ally of oily skin. Latin name: Citrus × aurantium ssp. amara (Link) Engl. Distilled part: leaves and small branches.
This article was updated on 16/05/2023- Properties of Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil
- In case of Anguish, Anxiety, Stress
- In case of aerophagia, bloating, flatulence
- In case of sleep disorders, insomnia
- In case of Hyperactivity (children)
- Other renowned applications of Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil
- How to recognize a good Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil?
- Petit Grain Bigarade, Neroli, Bitter Orange: what is their connection?
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil does not present any particular risks, all ways of use are possible. It is only not recommended for babies under 3 months and pregnant women under 3 months. However, it contains a significant quantity of linalool which is an allergenic compound. People with allergic conditions must therefore be vigilant. It is contraindicated in cases of severe hypotension. Finally, people with asthma should seek medical advice before using it.
People with asthma should seek medical advice before use.
This essential oil is not recommended in cases of severe hypotension.
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil contains four allergenic biochemical components.
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before using it (two drops in the crook of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check that there is no reaction). Also ensure that storage conditions are respected to avoid any risk of oxidation, which could cause the formation of secondary sensitizing compounds.
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil is highly concentrated in linalyl acetate, linalool, alpha terpineol and geranyl acetate. These different molecules give it the following main properties:
antispasmodic ++++ (linalyl acetate):
petit Grain Bigarade essential oil controls spasms of nervous, thoracic and gynecological origin. Linalyl acetate is also an antispasmodic of vascular smooth muscle by activation of nitric oxide.
calming, anxiolytic, sedative, nervous rebalancing ++++ (linalool, linalyl acetate):
petit Grain Bigarade essential oil is best known for helping to manage stress while promoting sustained attention and concentration. Studies have notably confirmed its anxiolytic and sedative effects, and demonstrated a reduction in the level of cortisol, the stress hormone.
anti-infectious ++ (linalool, α-terpineol):
petit Grain Bigarade essential oil is a mild anti-infective, acting more on respiratory tract conditions.
analgesic, local anesthetic ++ (linalool):
petit Grain Bigarade essential oil calms pain of nervous origin, such as certain rheumatisms. It acts on muscarinic, opioid and dopamine receptors at the same time.
But also these secondary properties:
Efficiency: ++++
From 3 years old.
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, apply 1 drop of the mixture to the solar plexus and 1 drop to the inside of each wrist. Repeat the operation 2 to 3 times a day as needed. For prolonged use or for sensitive skin, dilute in vegetable oil.
More details and other users: essential oils against stress.
Efficiency: ++++
For adults and adolescents. Dermal, mix 20 drops of Petit Grain Bigarade in 60 mL of vegetable oil (Grape Seed or Jojoba). Apply 1 to 3 drops of the mixture morning and evening to the face. Take a one-week break after 3 weeks of use.
From 6 years old. Through the skin, apply 4 drops of the mixture to the parts of the body where your skin is the oiliest (face, chest, back). Repeat the operation every evening until visible improvement.
More details or other users: essential oils against oily skin.
Efficiency: +++
From 6 years old, on medical advice. In olfaction, place 1 drop of essential oil on the inside of the wrists, then take deep breaths, as soon as the need arises in situations caused by stress. It is also possible to place a few drops on a tissue, use an inhaler stick or breathe directly above the bottle.
Does not replace treatment for hypertension or heart rhythm disorders.
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil is useful for its calming and soothing properties but theylang Ylang essential oil will be even more specific to this problem in the case of stress-related disorders. Using the skin, apply 1 drop of Ylang Ylang essential oil to the inside of the wrists, then take deep breaths as needed (medical advice required for long-term use). Does not replace treatment for hypertension or heart rhythm disorders.
Efficiency: +++
From 3 months. Through the skin, 1 drop of Petit Grain Bigarade in 9 drops of vegetable oil, to apply in a circular massage on the stomach, up to 3 times a day for 5 days.
Reserved for ages 6+. Orally, 1 drop of Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil on a neutral support, 3 times a day until improvement. Take a 1 week break after 3 weeks of use.
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil is effective but cardamom essential oil is more effective in cases of aerophagia, bloating or flatulence. For those over 6 years old, orally: 1 drop of Cardomom in a teaspoon of olive oil or honey 3 times a day.
Reserved for ages 3+. Orally, on days when the symptoms of aerophagia are triggered, ingest 2 drops of this synergy, 3 times a day before a meal, in a small spoon of honey or olive oil. Do not use this synergy for a prolonged period without the advice of a therapist.
For more details or other users: essential oils against aerophagia.
Efficiency: +++
Reserved for ages 6+, in addition to medical care.
Reserved for ages 6+. For skin application, in addition to medical treatment, place 1 drop of the mixture on the solar plexus and 1 drop on the inside of the wrists 2 to 3 times a day. For prolonged use or for sensitive skin, dilute in vegetable oil.
More details : essential oils against depression.
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil will be effective in cases of depression, but if you have neroli essential oil, it will be even more effective. Dermal, from 6 years old: 1 drop of Neroli in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply on the inside of the wrists and on the thorax, morning and evening. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.
Efficiency: +++
From 3 months.
From 3 years old. It is possible to use it diffused or cutaneously as above. Inhalation is also possible; breathe the essential oil directly above the bottle, slowly and deeply, and renew if necessary. In addition, it is possible to place 1 drop of Petit Grain Bigarade on the pillow or on a tissue on the bedside table.
Petit Grain Bigarade can be effective against insomnia, but theroman Chamomile essential oil is more effective. It can be used from the age of 3 months in diffusion for example, 10 minutes before bedtime or cutaneously, 1 drop diluted in 9 drops of vegetable oil, in massage on the solar plexus and/or the soles.
For adults and adolescents. Use the mixture by diffusion or inhalation. It is also possible to use it cutaneously, 1 drop on the inside of the wrists, or add 4 mL of vegetable oil for sensitive skin, applying to the wrists, solar plexus or soles of the feet.
More details or other users: essential oils for insomnia.
Efficiency: +++
From 3 years old. When inhaled, breathe the essential oil directly above the bottle, slowly and deeply, and repeat as many times as necessary
From 3 months:
From 3 months. Ptake the time to massage the different areas of the body: the back, the trapezius, the legs, the feet (preferred area for babies). Perform a massage from bottom to top. Favor this massage at the end of the day. :
More details or other users: essential oils in case of stress.
The essential oil of Petit Grain Bigarade can be replaced by that of True or Fine Lavender for this indication, according to the child's preferences, respecting the same advice for use as above.
Petit Grain Bigarade essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly linked to its anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, deodorizing or nervous rebalancing properties. For most of the following uses it will be effective, but without necessarily being the best essential oil. We therefore indicate to you the best replacement for Petit Grain Bigarade for the following different problems.
Petit Grain Bigarade effective but… It is better to use lemon Eucalyptus essential oil : via the skin, 1 drop of Lemon Eucalyptus in 4 drops of vegetable oil, 3 to 4 times a day on the painful area, until improvement.
Petit Grain Bigarade effective but… It is better to use thetea Tree essential oil : cutaneously, 1 pure drop on the pimple morning and evening after cleaning the face. In case of extensive acne, dilute in 5% Nigella vegetable oil for the face (1 drop of essential oil in 20 drops of HV) or 10% for the back and shoulders (1 drop of essential oil in 9 drops of HV). Take a week's break after 3 weeks of use
Petit Grain Bigarade effective but… It is better to use palmarosa essential oil : via the skin, 1 pure drop under each armpit, once a day after a shower. Take a 1 week break after 3 weeks of use.
The sour orange or bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium var. amara) is a particularly interesting tree since it alone is capable of offering 3 different essential oils:
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Publication: Teneva, D., Denkova-Kostova, R., Goranov, B., Hristova-Ivanova, Y., Slavchev, A., Denkova, Z., & Kostov, G. (2019). Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Citrus aurantium L zest against some pathogenic microorganisms. Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C, 0(0). doi:10.1515/znc-2018-0062
Publication: Shen, C.-Y., Jiang, J.-G., Zhu, W., & Ou-Yang, Q. (2017). Anti-inflammatory Effect of Essential Oil from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(39), 8586–8594. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.7b02586
Publication: Igarashi, T. (2013). Physical and Psychological Effects of Aromatherapy Inhalation on Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(10), 805–810. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2012.0103
Publication: Huang, L., & Capdevila, L. (2017). Aromatherapy Improves Work Performance Through Balancing the Autonomic Nervous System. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(3), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0061
Publication: Goes, TC, Antunes, FD, Alves, PB, & Teixeira-Silva, F. (2012). Effect of Sweet Orange Aroma on Experimental Anxiety in Humans. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(8), 798–804. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0551
Work : Baudoux, D. (2013). Practical guide to Aromatherapy: diffusion. Edition JOM sa
Work : Franchomme, P., Jollois, R., & Pénoël, D. (1990). Aromatherapy exactly: encyclopedia of the therapeutic use of essential oils: foundations, demonstration, illustration and applications of a natural medical science. France: R. Jollo
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Zahalka, J. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Editions du Dauphin.
Website : Bitter orange tree - WikiPhyto. (nd). http://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Oranger_amer
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This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.