Essential Oil Database

Photo: Citrus Bergamia

Bergamot

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Citrus Bergamia

Family Name:

Rutaceae

Source Country:

Italy

Plant Parts Used:

Fruit peel

Extraction Method:

Cold expression

Major Constituents:

Linalyl acetate, linalool, limonene, dipentene, sesquiterpenes, terpenes, furocoumarins.

Botanical Description

Photo: Citrus Bergamia

Citrus Bergamia is native to, and cultivated in, Calabria, Italy. It is a small evergreen tree commonly known as Bergamot growing up to 4 meters tall. The tree bears pear shaped sour citrus fruit which are harvested for the production of Bergamot oil.

Bergamot oil is used in perfumery for its scent and is widely used in preserves, marmalades and as a flavouring in Earl Grey Tea.

Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the fruit’s rind by cold expression, and then further distilled to remove bergaptene.

Photo: Citrus Bergamia

Fragrance

Bergamot essential oil has a fresh, sweet, citrus and slightly spicy scent.

Bergamot essential oil is a greenish yellow liquid.

Bergamot blends well with basil, cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, elemi, frankincense, geranium, ginger, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, neroli, sweet orange, rose, sandalwood, vetiver.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Citrus Bergamia

Properties: analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, laxative, stimulant.

Aids: appetite.

Alleviates: acne, anxiety, boils, cold sores, colds, depression, fever, flatulence, flu, halitosis, insect bites, spots, stress, wounds

Bergamot has been traditionally used as a tonic for skin conditions.

Bergamot is said to lift the mood.

Safety Data

May cause skin irritation in sunlight.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.