(also referred to as...)
Bergamot BF
Latin Name: Citrus bergamia
Description
Citrus Bergamia is a small 4.5m high tree with smooth oval leaves. It belongs to the same family as the orange tree and is native to Morocco and tropical Asia. Bergamot is commercially grown on the Ivory Coast and is extensively cultivated in Calabria, Southern Italy. It was first cultivated around Bergamo, from where it takes its name.
The fruit has been used for hundreds of years in Italian folk medicine. It was historically unknown outside Italy and was not exported until recent times. The oil was primarily used for the treatment of fever and intestinal worms.
Bergamot oil is well documented in old herbal texts. Traditional uses include relieving anxiety and stress, supporting the nervous system, lifting melancholy, promoting sleep, and healing cold sores, psoriasis, and eczema. It was also used as an anti-viral agent and insect repellent.
The essential oil is obtained from the small, round, fruits that ripen from green to yellow. The oil is a light greenish yellow and has an uplifting citrus aroma with balsamic overtones. On aging, it turns a brownish olive colour.
Bergamot is a lovely green light citrus/floral note. It is fruity and warm, clear and fresh, and is often used by perfumeries as a top note. Bergamot is also used to flavour Earl Grey tea.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Bergamot is encouraging, uplifting, and balancing to the spirit and is helpful in dealing with a variety of mental and psychological states. For anxiety, depression, or tension, bergamot should be used in a massage oil or in a daily bath. It combats fatigue due to stress, tension and anxiety and also supports the immune system. It can also be used in the treatment of tensions causing dietary problems such as over and under eating.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bergamot contains cool and dry Qi characteristics. It is a wood element and is used to relieve helplessness, hopelessness, emptiness, and grief.
Bergamot has an inhibiting effect on certain viruses, including Herpes simplex 1 which causes cold sores. Bergamot will also allay the pain of shingles, ease chickenpox in small children and help with eczema and psoriasis. NOTE: Special care must be used when applying bergamot to the skin due to the risk of photosensitivity.
Bergamot oil has a strong affinity for the urinary tract and is valuable in the treatment of cystitis and urethritis. It should be used in the bath or as a local wash at 1% dilution.
Bergamot's antiseptic and astringent qualities make it ideal for the treatment of skin complaints such as acne, oily skin and all skin infections.
Bergamot is cooling in feverish conditions and has effective insect repellent properties.
Source
The essential oil is produced by cold expression of the peel of nearly ripe fruit. Although there are a number of oils produced by mechanical processes, the best quality oil remains that which is produced by hand.
Preparations
Atomizer/Spritzer: Add 6 drops to every 30mL of spring water. Shake well before each use. It is best to add the essential oil to one teaspoon of vodka to help it disperse in the water.
Bath: For anxiety, depression, or tension, add 10 to 12 drops to 15mL (1 tbsp.) bath oil. May also be used as a massage oil.
Facial Wash: For acne, oily skin, and other skin conditions/infections, and 20 drops essential oil to100mL cleanser. NOTE: Bergamot contains bergaptene, a constituent that can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Effects include increased photosensitivity and skin pigmentation. Use Bergaptene-free (BF) oils instead.
Massage: For anxiety, depression, or tension, add 6 to 10 drops to 15mL/1 tbsp. unscented massage oil.
Bergamot blends well with chamomile, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, neroli (and other florals), patchouli, peppermint, and ylang ylang.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Bergamot should never be used undiluted on the skin. Severe burning may result.
Never apply bergamot to skin that will be exposed to the sun. Certain furocumarins (including bergaptene found in Bergamot) are photo toxic on human skin. This causes sensitivity and skin pigmentation when exposed to sunlight. Exercise caution when using bergamot in sunny weather. As previously mentioned, bergaptene-free (BF) oils are available as an alternative.
Ailment / Situation Listing
