The aromatherapy tree, botanical name, Citrus aurantium var. amara, is unique to aromatherapy production. The tree earns its name because three different essential oils are obtained from the same plant: Neroli, from the beautiful blossoms; Petitgrain, from the leaves; and Bitter Orange, from the peel of the fruit. Despite the fact that the bitter orange tree looks very similar to Citrus sinensis (the tree from which we obtain Sweet Orange essential oil) they are two separate species and not just cultivated varieties of one species. It is thought that Citrus aurantium probably originated in China, then spread to India and Persia (now Iran) and was introduced to the Mediterranean countries by the Arabs in the 11th century. Read More