The tree is now grown in Italy, Morocco and Egypt, the best quality oils coming from southern France. As well as essential oil production, the most popular use of the peel of the bitter orange tree is for its use in marmalade.

Neroli Oil History

Neroli was named after Anna Maria de La Tremoille, princess of Nerole. She introduced orange blossom oil into Italian society in the 17th century. She used it to perfume her shawl, gloves, ribbons and stationary and in the bath.

Properties

It is: antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cicatrisant, digestive, stimulant. The trees have a life span of 80 to100 years. They are considered valuable family possessions as the farms are passed down through the generations. No flowers are harvested in the first three to four years. For the next 10 years, the tree produces a medium harvest, about six kilograms per tree and going up to 20 kilograms. The average yield of trees in France is about 10 kilograms of blossoms. The blossoms are picked by hand, in the spring, usually in the mornings. Just like rose oil, the essential oils that are responsible for the delicate aroma are most concentrated in the blossoms early in the morning, attracting the pollinators before the heat of the day. The best oil is obtained as the bud is beginning to open on a warm, sunny day. Flowers collected on cloudy or rainy days yield inferior quality oil. It is the high labor costs that contribute to the high price of quality Neroli essential oil – and the fact that one kilogram of flowers produces only one gram of essential oil and one liter of distillation water or Orange Flower water. The flower water is very fragrant; it is sold as a hydrosol or hydrolate, having excellent properties and uses in skin care.

Mind and Spirit

Neroli is famous for its ability to relieve emotional depression, acute and chronic stress, accompanied by acute or chronic anxiety. It also helps with shock, instilling a feeling of peace. Along with its hypnotic and euphoric effects, it can help reconnect the link between mind and body. Recommended for the emotionally intense who may be unstable or easily alarmed or agitated, Neroli calms highly charged emotional states. This person has the potential to become emotionally exhausted and has a tendency to feel depressed as a result. If in addition, there is unexpressed anger or feelings of unconscious resentment, depression may turn into deep despair that is very deep and all encompassing. Through all this Neroli brings comfort and strength assisting in release of repressed emotions.

It is the high labor costs that contribute to the high price of quality Neroli essential oil
- and the fact that a kilogram of flowers produces only one gram of essential oil and
one liter of distillation water or Orange Flower water.

Gabriel Mojay describes Neroli for any "deep emotional pain that robs us of hope and joy." Together with Rose, Lavender and Melissa it is one of the best essential oils to calm and stabilize the heart and mind... Suzanne Fischer-Rizzi describes Neroli as "reaching deep down into the soul to stabilize and regenerate. It provided relief and strength for long standing psychological tension, exhaustion and seemingly hopeless situations."

Body

Medicinally, Neroli is valued as a gentle tonic of the nervous system. It is particularly good for hot, agitated conditions of the heart characterized by restlessness, insomnia and palpitations and is indicated for hypertension. For insomnia (caused particularly by anxiety), it is best used in a bath before bedtime.
A recent clinical trial in England involved the use of Neroli oil and foot massage for cardiac surgery patients. The result of the trial confirmed Neroli's antispasmodic properties. Neroli was effective in diminishing the amplitude of heart muscle contraction, thus benefiting people who suffer from palpitations and other types of cardiac spasm.
For others that carry their stress in the abdominal area, it is also useful for potential chronic diarrhea. Neroli is considered safe for babies and small children and it is indicated for infantile colic. It can be used in a massage blend for the baby after delivery to help with shock.

Skin

Neroli has wonderful toning and rejuvenating skin properties, stimulating cellular growth. It is ideal for scars, stretch marks and the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. It is generally considered as suitable for all skin types but particularly for the treatment of mature skin and the treatment of sensitive and inflamed skin. For mature skin blend Neroli with rosewood, lavender and frankincense in base oils such as Soya, Avocado, calendula or Wheat germ. Neroli hydrosol makes an excellent toner on its own or combined with Rock Rose; it helps clear acne and irritations. Use it in face masks or wear it as a natural perfume. It is an affordable alternative to the pure essential oil.
Neroli blends well with: bergamot, clary sage, German and Roman chamomile, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, palmarosa, rose, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, tangerine and ylang ylang.

Petitgrain

Petitgrain essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the bitter orange tree. The trees are pruned after the blossoms have been collected and the resulting leaf material is used for petigrain essential oil production. While French Petitgrain is considered the best quality due to botanical purity of the trees, the bulk of the world production comes from Paraguay.
Often called poor man's Neroli, this oil has a fresh floral, citrus scent and a woody herbaceous undertone. Available at a much more reasonable cost, this oil still carries the rich, well balanced aroma of its more exotic sister. Easy to blend with and affordable, it is an oil that is recommended for those new to custom blending essential oils. As a derivative of the same tree, the oils do bear some resemblance to each other both in smell, chemistry and therapeutic actions.
Petitgrain is a balancing oil that relaxes the body while lifting the spirits. It has a sedative effect on the nervous system and like Neroli is indicated for calming anger and panic; however Neroli is considered more effective with serious states of depression. Again like Neroli, Petitgrain is indicated for rapid heartbeat and insomnia.
Patricia Davis suggests that "while Neroli activates the highest psychic or spiritual levels of the mind, Petitgrain relates more to the conscious, intellectual aspect of the mind.

Tip: Blend together Neroli, Orange and Petitgrain in equel quantites and add a drop
of Sandalwood to ground it. Use it in a burner and/or add to mild and then add it to the 
bath water for an ultimate citrus experience. Add to sweet almond oil for a great massage.

It has a particular affinity to the male psyche and can be helpful in treating male depression and work-related fatigue. Where Petitgrain does differ is in the treatment of the skin. It has a greater affinity to the treatment of skin blemishes and acne. Pettigrain blends well with: bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, lavender, lime, jasmine, neroli, orange, palmarosa, rosewood, sandalwood, ylang ylang.

Trish Green is a Homeopath, certified clinical and medically trained Aromatherapist. She recently completed her education in Aromatherapy for use in Oncology practice. She is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Eve Taylor North America.