Yuzu Essential Oil 5mL

A dry, refined citrus similar to Bergamot in its mood-elevating effects, yet with sweeter, tangier notes. Refreshes the mind and calms nervous tension.

The lively aroma of our strongly aromatic Yuzu essential oil – distilled from the peels of these uniquely scented citrus fruits – is amazingly robust and provides a lasting citrus top note! Two constituents have recently been identified as key to this citrus peel’s unique odor profile that contribute significantly to its unique aromatic aspects: (6Z, 8E)-6,8,10-undecatriene-3-one (yuzunone), also found in Galbanum, and (6Z, 8E)-6,8,10-undecatriene-4-ol (yuzuol). "In particular, yuzunone and yuzuol increase the balsamic, sweet, and floral characteristics that distinguish the Yuzu aroma from other citrus fruits."

Citrus junos is a cold-hardy, evergreen tree known to survive temperatures as low as 15 degrees F due to its C. ichangensis genetic ancestry. It grows wild in its countries of origin, Tibet and Central China, and is cultivated widely in Japan and Korea. Both the Japanese and Korean names for Yuzu are cognates of the Chinese word that means pomelo and underscores its origin in China. In a Japanese tradition that dates back to the early 18^th century, the whole fruits, usually wrapped in cheesecloth, are floated in a hot ceremonial bath to bring out their scent on the night of the winter solstice; this ritual bath is said to guard against colds, invigorate the skin, warm the body, and relax the mind. Yuzu rind and juice are also used in distinctive Japanese and Korean cuisine and for making wines and liqueurs. Roughly 300 kilos of grated Yuzu peel are required to make just 2 kilos of Yuzu essential oil.

A review of the chemical constituents of Citrus junos shows remarkable diversity for any oil – much less a relatively simple citrus peel; some of these constituents have origins (or were first identified in) far from the usual suspects: Yuzu oil contains significant or trace amounts of shared chemistry with Elemi, Ylang Ylang, Citronella, Geranium, Thyme, Caraway, Neroli, Cumin and Lavender! As with all citrus peel oils, Yuzu has a high limonene content, therefore we recommend storage of this oil in the refrigerator and in a dark, airtight glass container to avoid oxidation.Potentially phototoxic coumarins are not present in the essential oil of Yuzu in sufficient quantity to pose a risk – a characteristic shared by only a few other citrus peel oils.

Aromatherapy Uses: Mood elevator, refreshes the mind, calms the nervous system

Aromatic Profile: Bright, strong, faintly floral, aromatic citrus in the manner of bergamot or grapefruit, with a zesty, green citrus/pith backnote that becomes a balsamic sweetness in the drydown; a unique citrus aroma that lasts longer than other citrus oils.

Appearance: Colorless to very pale green, transparent, mobile liquid.

Blends Well With: Basil, Bergamot and other Citrus oils, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Carnation, Champaca, Cistus, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Coriander, Fir oils, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Juniper, Labdanum, Laurel Leaf, Lavender, Lemongrass, Litsea Cubeba, Melissa, Marjoram, Neroli, Orange,  Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Peppermint, Petitgrain oils, Rose absolute, Spearmint, Tagetes, Verbena, Vetiver, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang.

Safety Considerations: Skin sensitization if oxidized; old or oxidized oils should be avoided. Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.