Plant name (Latin): Citrus bergamia
Plant family: Rutaceae, commonly known as the Rue or fruit family
Native region: Southern Italy, Guinea, Morocco, Corsica
Growing habit: Bergamot prefers to grow in an area of full sun with well-drained soil
Parts used: Citrus rind Essential oil extraction method: Cold Pressing
About Bergamot Oil
Bergamot essential oil, with its fruity, fresh scent is uplifting and calming at
the same time. It has many benefits for both the physical and emotional parts
of us.
Description of Aroma
Bergamot oil is sweet, fresh, and citrusy in scent with the slightest floral
undertone. It’s a green to gold-colored essential oil that is thin in consistency
and considered to have a medium aroma. In perfumery, it is considered a top
note.
Why Use Bergamot?
Bergamot is a wonderful smelling essential oil with an affinity for the skin
and for emotions. It’s uplifting, yet calming at the same time.
How and Where Bergamot Grows?
Bergamot grows natively in Southern Italy, where it prefers copious sunshine
with rich soil that is well-drained. The bergamot tree is considered to be an
evergreen tree that grows to approximately 12 meters high with numerous
branches coming off its main trunk. The bergamot fruit is globoid in shape
with a smooth green rind that yellows when it ripens. The peel of the
bergamot fruit is thin and tough. The bergamot fruit is not considered to be an
edible fruit because its flesh is incredibly sour so the bergamot tree is
cultivated primarily for its essential oil.
Bergamot Uses
Bergamot essential oil is very helpful for viral conditions such as cold sores,
herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. It also has an affinity for the digestive
system, where it’s a great oil to use for colic, flatulence, and indigestion, and
can help regulate the appetite, and decrease bad breath. Bergamot is also
helpful in cases of UTI and cystitis.
Bergamot essential oil can help regulate oily skin and ease the symptoms of
eczema and psoriasis. It’s particularly great for helping reduce the occurrence
of acne and is a great oil to aid in wound healing. Due to its antiviral activity,
it is helpful when dealing with a skin abscess or boils. It can also help
alleviate the discomfort of itchy skin. When mixed with your favorite carrier
oil it makes a great massage oil that calms and uplifts at the same time.
Bergamot essential oil really shines when it comes to emotions. Due to its
high linalyl-acetate it is calming, soothing, and relaxing, yet at the same time
uplifting, encouraging, and motivating. It’s a great oil to use to overcome
emotional frustration and to help you release things that may be holding you
back. It helps decrease tension, irritability, stress, anger, anxiety, insomnia,
and depression. It can help prevent sudden mood swings and decrease
nervous energy.
It’s a cheerful oil that can help increase feelings of joy, refresh the senses, and
restore the mind and body. If you’re lacking in confidence or concentration it
can ground you and help you focus and develop greater self-esteem. Its
affinity for the emotions and ability to help regulate appetite makes it a great
oil to help support those with eating disorders as they are seeking
professional treatment.
History of Bergamot
The history of Bergamot is very unclear, however, the most commonly
believed history is that Christopher Columbus first brought the bergamot tree
from the Canary Islands to the city of Berga in Barcelona, Spain. From there
it found itself in Calabria, which is in Southern Italy.
Bergamot first became popular in the perfumery industry, which went on to
stimulate the cultivation of the tree. It’s believed that its rise to popularity
came due to it being the main scent in eau-de-cologne, with was first made in
Italy by the Feminis family. Today, it is still prized in the perfumery industry
but is also extensively used in the food and beverage industry, where it’s most
notably known as the flavoring being the popular tea, Earl Gray.
The Science of Bergamot
Bergamot is made up of linalyl acetate, alpha and beta-pinene, myrcene,
limonene, linalool, neryl acetate, and geraniol. It is approximately 30%
linalyl acetate, an ester, which gives Bergamot oil its signature calming and
soothing affinity.
Safety
Bergamot essential oil is phototoxic and should not be used topically when
you plan to be outdoors. It contains a component called bergapten that gives
it its phototoxic property.
A non-photo toxic Bergamot does exist called FCF (furanocoumarin free)
Bergamot, which removes the bergapten in the oil.
Do not digest bergamot essential oil.
Blend Suggestions
Bergamot and Lavender blend well to give you a soothing, calming blend that
is citrusy, fresh, and floral.
Bergamot, Sweet Orange, and Grapefruit mixed together is very fruity and
uplifting and can be great for an energy boost.
Bergamot and Peppermint will give you a blend that is calming and
energizing at the same time.
Add 3 drops to your favorite carrier oil for an uplifting and calming massage
blend. (Remember: don’t go out in the sun for 12 hours after doing this unless
you’re using FCF Bergamot).
