The invention discloses pericarpium citri reticulatae viride extract for cigarettes and an application of the extract. The pericarpium citri reticulatae viride extract for cigarettes takes pericarpium citri reticulatae viride as a raw material and is prepared through solvent extraction and steam distillation. After the obtained pericarpium citri reticulatae viride extract for cigarettes is added into flue-cured type cigarette leaf groups, the extract exerts an important function of improving the quality of the cigarettes, according to sensory evaluation. A preparation method of the pericarpium citri reticulatae viride extract for cigarettes is simple in process. Simple equipment are employed; the cost is low; and the pollution is little. The component analysis indicates that the obtained extract is high in total content of aroma components, and the aroma components are of abundant types. According to the organoleptic evaluation, the obtained extract can effectively improve the smoke quality of the cigarettes.