The Generosity of Citrus aurantium or Bitter Orange

During the month of February I wanted to focus on essential oils related to the heart and neroli (Citrus aurantium) fills that bill in several ways.

As an aromatherapist I know that a very special aspect of the evergreen tree that sports sharp spines and fragrant white flowers that are steam distilled to produce neroli essential oil is that it also supplies us with bitter orange and petitgrain essential oils.

But I hadn't thought about it in a way a fellow aromatherapist pointed out -- the tree is very generous.

While many plants, fruits, leaves, flowers, smell incredible of the nearly 390,000 plant species on Earth, only a tiny, remarkable few have the ability to produce true essential oils.

While many plants carry faint aromatic molecules, only a small fraction create the concentrated, volatile compounds that can be captured through distillation. The lavender, frankincense, and citrus oils we cherish come from an elite circle of botanical alchemists — a rare gift from just a sliver of the plant kingdom.

And this very generous tree provides us with three.

I also wondered why neroli had an association with the heart. Salvatore Battaglia notes that neroli has been shown effective at "diminishing the amplitude of heart muscle contraction, benefiting people who suffer from palpitations or other types of cardiac spasms." He also notes that "the oil was found to reduce the symptoms associated with post-cardiac surgery patients." 1

In his book The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy he goes on to note that esteemed aromatherapist Gabriel Mojay considers neroli "one of the best oils to calm and stabilise the heart and mind."

By Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen - List of Koehler Images, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=255310

 Battaglia also notes that neroli regulates heart rhythm, helps reduce cramp-like nervous heart conditions, and is indicated for hypertension and palpitations.

Neroli’s exquisite aroma is more than beautiful — it reflects a chemistry deeply intertwined with the nervous system and vascular tone. The oil is typically rich in linalool, supported by linalyl acetate, gentle monoterpenes like limonene, and trace sesquiterpenols such as nerolidol. Together, these constituents are known for their calming, relaxing, and regulatory effects on the body.

Research on linalool suggests it can help soften sympathetic nervous system activity — the “fight or flight” response — while encouraging vascular relaxation.

Small human studies using neroli aromatherapy have observed reductions in blood pressure and perceived stress. While neroli is not a cardiac remedy in the pharmaceutical sense, its chemistry points toward a meaningful role in supporting cardiovascular wellness through stress modulation and autonomic balance.

In this way, neroli gently bridges the emotional and the physical heart — calming tension, easing overwhelm, and creating the internal conditions where the heart can function with greater ease.

I have several citrus trees that grow in my SoCal back yard -- a Meyer lemon, a tangerine, and orange tree. I enjoy their gorgeous flowers and their beautiful aroma, the buzzing of the bees visiting the flowers, the fruit as it grows from a tiny green nub into a colorful fruit, and the vibrant green foliage of these rather small trees in my small, very landscaped back yard.

And while I simply use the lemons to flavor and cook and the oranges and tangerines to eat and make marmalade it's a chance to experience the wonder of citrus. I don't yet distill my own essential oils or hydrosols but as I explore the heart related essential oils I am in awe of Citrus aurantium and its generosity in supplying us with three beautiful essential oils including heart-felt neroli that supports physical and emotional well-being of the mind, heart, and body.

What plant or oil most inspires you?

Aromatic blessings,

Tricia