Aroma: Sweet, citrusy and a bit spicy
Production method: Cold pressed
Part used: Bergamot peel/rind
Main benefits:
Bergamot essential oil is both uplifting and soothing. Aromatherapists use it to cope with nervousness, sad feelings and grief. On a physical level, the benefits of the bergamot essential oil include purifying and calming the skin, including healing scars. Additionally, bergamot oil is good for fighting bacteria, alleviating headaches and muscle tension, as well as stimulating digestive juices.
MAIN CONSTITUENTS
Limonene, linalyl acetate, linalool, terpinene, β-pinene
BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS
Often, the fragrance industry uses bergamot to harmonize scents in perfumes. If you are looking for ideas on bergamot oil blends, you may consider mixing bergamot oil with black pepper, frankincense, geranium, orange, ylang-ylang and patchouli.
HISTORY OF BERGAMOT
Bergamot is a cross-breed between the orange and lemon citrus trees. The inedible hybrid fruit is native to countries in Southeast Asia, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Bergamot essential oil is obtained through cold-pressing and distillation of the evergreen citrus tree peels.
There are two main narratives around the origin and the name of the bergamot. The first one claims that Citrus bergamia is named after the Italian city of Bergamo. In fact, the Calabria region in Italy is said to provide more than 90% of the world supply today. According to other sources, Bergamot gets its name from the Turkish words “beg-armudi, " meaning “The Prince’s Pear”.
In old times, bergamot was used as a flavoring in the tea industry and as a harmonizing scent in the fragrance industry. It was exclusively reserved for the rich and royal families.
Helps release emotional distress
Relieve chronic stress and anxiety by using bergamot oil in a diffuser. You can use it solo or blend it with lavender. Furthermore, for a quick effect, you can apply bergamot oil topically to ease stress by rubbing 1 to 2 drops directly onto your temples and wrists.
Copes with depression and mood swings
Bergamot oil can help you manage depressive episodes, as it uplifts your nervous system. Like most citrus essential oils, it energizes the mind and it is a great choice in case you suffer from mental fatigue. The bergamot essential oil creates feelings of joy, while it reduces cortisol levels in the body.
Soothes skin inflammation
Bergamot essential oil when blended with other essential oils such as lavender or chamomile may calm irritated skin and reduce the appearance of redness. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, Bergamot oil is good for coping with skin problems such as eczema, some types of dermatitis, or psoriasis.
Relieves joint and muscle tension
As bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia) is rich in linalool, this makes bergamot oil a great way to relieve symptoms such as sprains and muscle and joint aches. Researchers have shown that linalool has a positive effect on neurological and inflammatory pain. So, next time you feel tension and stiffness in your muscles or joints, consider rubbing five drops of bergamot oil blended with one spoon of carrier oil, for example - almond or hemp oil.
Supports immunity
Bergamot oil exhibits antibacterial properties. Some clinical trials suggest that bergamot essential oil can neutralize some bacteria strains and fungi, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Candida species. To prevent harmful bacterial illness, diffuse bergamot essential oil or add a few drops to a warm-water bath. It is a much better, natural alternative to conventional antibiotics to which our bodies are becoming resistant.
MEDICINAL USES OF BERGAMOT OIL
Due to its active constituents, bergamot essential oil exhibits analgesic, antibacterial and sedative effects on our body and mind. It is used to treat conditions such as acne, anxiety, cystitis, depression, eczema, halitosis, infections, rashes, oily skin, pain, psoriasis and respiratory ailments.
A 2011 study suggested that applying a blend of lavender and bergamot oils helped manage depression or anxiety. Compared with the placebo group, the bergamot essential oil blend caused a significant decrease in pulse rate and blood pressure. Another clinical research suggests that bergamot oil can cope with chronic pain in the body.
- Use in the bath for aromatherapy benefits
- Diffuse for the emotional and mental benefits
- Massage, well diluted, for physical ailments
BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL - PRECAUTIONS
You should avoid exposure to direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after the topical application of bergamot oil. Also, bergamot essential oil could mess up your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes and take medications.
Please keep in mind that all the information hereby is provided for informational purposes. Self-administration of high doses of bergamot oil for long periods can harm your health, especially if you have chronic diseases, are pregnant, or take medications.
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, please consult a professional aromatherapist or a medical doctor if you want to include bergamot oil as an alternative or complementary remedy to your prescribed medications.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: Bergamot oil is a highly concentrated product and should only be used with extreme caution. Please note that all information is provided for informational purposes and we always recommend additional consultation with a specialist before usage, especially when used in childhood, during pregnancy, breastfeeding or if you suffer from chronic diseases! Avoid contact with eyes, mucous membranes, inner ear and other sensitive parts of the body! Keep out of reach of children!
Energizing bergamot diffuser blend
Use an aroma diffuser to mix:
Bedtime soothing blend
Use a spoon of carrier oil (almond, for example) and add:
Blend well and massage your body to relax tense muscles and joints.
And if you have a bathtub, mix:
Let this good-night-sleep blend soak all worries and anxiety away. Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat.
Bergamot essence for hair growth
Although it is mostly used for relaxation and pain management, bergamot oil can also be applied to the scalp to stimulate blood flow and microcirculation and to clean the skin from bacteria that may be causing dandruff or itching. The stimulating and antibacterial properties of bergamot oil make it a good choice if you want to revive and nourish your hair. Here are a couple of easy recipes to try at home:
Apply and massage your scalp well. Leave the mixture for at least 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
If you suffer from hair loss or your hair is very thin and prone to breakage, try this:
Apply and massage your scalp well. Leave the mixture for 1 hour and then rinse thoroughly.
Bergamot oil for skin
Bergamot oil can help you cope with oily skin and has a lightening effect on the skin. If you want to use it to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, keep in mind that you should avoid the sun for at least 12 hours after applying bergamot oil to the skin. Generally, it is recommended to use skin-lightening cosmetics during fall and winter, when the UV index is much lower.
Try this home-made facial scrub:
Mix bergamot essential oil and carrier oil and then add the sugar. Stir well and store in a jar. Wash your face with the mixture twice a week.
Please keep in mind that all the information hereby is provided for informational purposes. Self-administration of high doses of bergamot oil for long periods can harm your health, especially if you have chronic diseases, are pregnant, or take medications.
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, please consult a professional aromatherapist or a medical doctor if you want to include bergamot oil as an alternative or complementary remedy to your prescribed medications.
The scent is phenomenal! I love it!