Origin: Bergamot essential oils are extracted from the Bergamot orange. The name comes from Bergamo, a city in Italy, where this aromatic oil was first sold.
This citrus tree has its origins in South East Asia. From there it traveled to Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Ivory Coast, and thence to Europe. It now grows profusely in Italy.
The tree is about four meters tall. It has smooth leaves and star-shaped flowers, and bears pear-shaped citrus fruit which is a cross between a grapefruit and an orange. The rind is green but becomes yellow on ripening.
Properties: Oil is extracted from the ripe as well as the unripe rind. The consistency is watery yet viscose. The color ranges from greenish yellow to green. The aroma is a mix of fruity, floral and spicy. It has a warm, fresh and light citrus tang.
Bergamot oil is one of the most popular oils used in the toiletry and perfumery industry. The wonderful Earl Grey tea is flavored with bergamot. The classical fragrance of eau-de-cologne is a blend of bergamot along with lavender and neroli.
Benefits: Bergamot oil has numerous therapeutic benefits. It has antidepressant, anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, anti-depressant and digestive properties and is used effectively in treating and alleviating many problems.
- You can use bergamot essential oil for a body massage. It relieves pain and tiredness in the muscles, along with stress and tension. It also helps to tone up the body.
- Because of its antiseptic properties it is beneficial in treatment of boils, acne, mouth infections, cold sores, sore throat and even rashes of chicken pox.
- Its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial nature make it a good tool for treating skin injuries, skin wounds or skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema.
- It stimulates the spleen, liver and stomach and thereby aids digestion and reduces flatulence.
- It has a healing effect on inflammations like cystitis or urinary tract infections
- Bergamot oil is a great mood enhancer and anti-depressant. Its light fragrance alleviates sorrows and melancholy and creates a cheerful mood. Bergamot has been effectively used to treat depression and those suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder)
- This wonderful essential oil also possesses anti-spasmodic properties, and is used to treat those suffering from nervous or muscular spasms.
- It is a good expectorant and can be used in diseases of the respiratory tract.
How to use: Bergamot oil can be used in many ways.
- It can be blended with a carrier oil for a massage or in bath water.
- It can be blended with creams or lotions and applied to the face and body.
- It can be put in a vaporizer and its aroma inhaled.
Precaution: Bergamot oil has a chemical property called bergaptene, which is very sensitive to sunlight. The oil should be stored in dark bottles away from sunlight. Users should not go out in the sun after applying this oil on the skin, for fear of causing