Aromas of Leaves for Clarity

Aromas of Leaves improve physical well-being and promote emotional release.  The word “clarity” aptly points to the speed of an odor that can open the mind, release the breath, promote the Shen or spiritual connection.

Morphology connotes structure and shape, pointing to the forms and characteristics of physical things. More specifically, Plant Morphology is seen as the shapes, structures, and parts of plants.

We’re familiar with the plant parts or the morphology of these living beings. The flowers, leaves, woods and barks, roots and resins, seeds and fruits of all plants constitute plant morphology at the physical level.  Especially with aromatic plants, we anticipate the specific therapeutics of each plant part.  Thus certain plant parts become visual signatures of the therapeutics we seek at a given moment.

A Fascination with Leaves

Just inhaling the leafy aromas from the highly scented trees, grasses, and herbs is a pleasure.  They represent a range of fragrance and scents.  The aromas of leaves ranges from soft and mellow to bright and energetic and everything in between, as anti-microbial, anti-infectious scented components. They are found in many perfume formulations from medieval times onwards, are the main flavorful herbs in the Western diet (and more), offering the brilliant, cleansing, and energizing aromas that rejuvenate and renew.

Citrus leaf

Petitgrain – Citrus x aurantium, or Citrus aurantium var. amara

Family: Rutaceae, from Rue family, or group of Citrus trees and shrubs.

Origin and Biological status: cross between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), possibly in Europe or before introduction from its native Southeast Asia.

Part distilled is the leaves and small twigs of the bitter orange tree, Citrus x aurantium var. amara.

Adulteration: possibly high since the cultivation of the “petitgrain” odor is proprietary, or planned.  Referring to both the practical nature of admixtures of plant parts, the addition of floral oils, or substitution with poorer quality oils is common.

Season: Harvested in Spring after the tree blooms, March, April and May*.

Energetics: the essential oil is balanced, with sweet and root-like aromatic notes.  It’s neutral with regard to heat.

Illustrations are from wikipedia.  The top image depicts fruits and leaves of a Bitter Orange tree.  The image below it represents the ideal hesperides, or golden apple, which often epitomizes the fruits of the Orange trees.

Petitgrain in Rituals and Medicines: Petitgrain is specific to perfumery and aromatherapy, rather than to cultural activities of ritual and medicine.  However, the tree from which Petitgrain is distilled, the Bitter Orange tree, produces a fruit that Chinese medicine adds to soups or herbal formulas.  Bitter Orange fruits are known as Seville Oranges, the main ingredient in the fruit jam marmelade.  I have not found the use of the leaves themselves as a condiment, however it may be possible, in some cuisines.

Perfumes: Petitgrain became popular in perfume formulas and floral waters.  Eau de Cologne features Petitgrain among its citrus components.

Unusual charactistics:  the name petitgrain applies to essential oils made from the leaves of other Citrus, such as Mandarin orange, Kaffir Lime, Clementine, Bergamot, and Lemon.  Petitgrain is a French term for small grains, or fruits.  Petitgrain referred to a method of distillation which combined the small fruits, leaves and twigs that was common until the mid-20^th century.  Oils made with the small fruits had a more pronounced fruity or sweet odor.

Olfactive features:  inhaling this essential oil conveys regulating, relaxing and curative actions to the nervous system**

Aromatic characteristics: sweet-woody, rooty, and slightly spicy may describe Petitgrain Bigarade oil which is deemed the highest quality. If during distillation, the purity of petitgrain is diminished by the addition of other material, it will be obvious to a perfumer’s nose.

NOTES: References for the above include Peter Holmes, Aromatica, Vol 2, published by Singing Dragon Press; Stephan Arctander, Perfumes and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Pierre Laszlo, Citrus, a History.