Bergamot essential oil is a light citrus oil that has a sweet scent. Along with lavender, the food-grade variety of bergamot is used to flavour earl grey tea. For aromatherapy purposes, bergamot can be used in a diffuser, to inhale, or mixed with other essential or carrier oils to be applied topically. Let's delve into the origins of bergamot oil and its many applications.

Bergamot Plant Information

Bergamot Plant History

Bergamot is a tropical plant that originated in South East Asia but due to its popularity in the 15^th & 16^th centuries, it migrated Westward. Christopher Columbus introduced Bergamot to Southern Europe when he brought it over from the Canary Islands. Bergamot was extensively cultivated and sold in Bergamo, Italy, and this is one theory of how Bergamot got its name. The other theory is, that Bergamot is Turkish for “The Lord’s Pear.” Medicinally, Bergamot fruit juice was used by Italian natives to treat malaria and intestinal worms and during the 16^th century, the oil had been used as an antiseptic and as an aid to lower fever. 

Bergamot’s oil has also been used to calm acne and skin irritations, alleviate sore throats, urinary tract infections and fever and to support depression and compulsive behaviours. Today, Calabria, Italy makes 80% of worlds Bergamot essential oil and it’s known as being the best quality in the world.

Botanical Information of Bergamot Essential Oil

The scientific name for the Bergamot tree is Citrus Bergamia and belongs to the Rutaceae (Citrus) family. It’s a small tree with oval shaped leaves, white flowers and small fruit. The Bergamot fruit is actually a hybrid of sweet lemon and orange and has a bumpy, yellowish-green peel.

Growing Information of Bergamot Essential Oil

Like all trees belonging to the citrus family, Bergamot thrives the best in warmer climates. If you grow Bergamot in an area that experiences colder weather conditions, it’s best to grow it in a clay pot and bring indoors during colder months. Upon purchasing a Bergamot tree, repot it when you bring it home using one part heath soil and three parts citrus soil mix. The tree will then need to be repotted every 2-3 years during the Spring. Keep the tree in an area that receives adequate sunlight and is sheltered from the elements. Water regularly when needed and allow adequate drainage and during the trees growth phase, add citrus specific organic fertilizer. It is also important to note, to not place the tree near heat vents when indoors as this may dry out the tree. 

How Bergamot Tree Parts Are Used

The fruit of the Bergamot tree is used for many reasons. While this fruit is not edible on its own, it is used to make herbs and the oil that is expressed from the peel is used to flavour black tea, enhance the fragrance of perfumes and medicinally in aromatherapy. 

Bergamot Essential Oil Information

Extraction Method of Bergamot Essential Oil

Like many citrus essential oils, Bergamot oil is cold expressed from the almost ripe peel of the fruit. The peel is either punctured to active oil glands and juices, or squeezed out of the fruit as a whole by applying pressure to the whole fruit. The oil and juice are then separated so the essential oil can be collected. 

Active Ingredients in Bergamot Essential Oil

The chemical composition of Bergamot essential oil is made up of: Limonene, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Pinene, Bergaptene, Terpineol, Nerol, Neryl Acetate, β -Bisabolene, Geraniol, Geraniol Acetate and Myrcene. 

Bergamot Essential Oil Applications

Relief From Constipation or Indigestion

Bergamot oil is a stimulant, which can help get the digestive tract going. If you have feelings of constipation or indigestion, follow these applications below:

• Mix 3 drops Bergamot essential oil in a rollerball with 9ml Avocado oil. Stir oils and rub in a clockwise motion on lower abdomen to help alleviate symptoms. 
• Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil in your diffuser. 
• In a bowl of hot water, add 4 drops Bergamot oil and soak a hot compress. Remove compress and place on lower abdomen, moving it every 10 seconds in a clockwise motion. 

Anxiety & Depression Soother

Since Bergamot is a stimulant, it can offer support to symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

• Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot essential oil and breath deeply or do a meditation.
• In a rollerball, mix 4 drops Bergamot oil with 9ml Grapeseed oil and apply behind ears, base of neck and temples or simply breathe aroma in slowly when feeling anxious or heavy. 
• Apply 4 drops Bergamot oil to a wash cloth, and under warm shower water, rub all over body (avoiding sensitive areas) and inhale aroma. Rinse off and continue with normal shower routine.

Promote Better Healing

Bergamot is also a great antiseptic and can help promote better healing from topical cuts and help detoxify the body when feeling sick. Read below to see how to promote healing with Bergamot:

• Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil to help the body detoxify. 
• Mix 4 drops Bergamot oil in your shower gel or body cream and rub over body, avoiding sensitive areas. 
• Mix 8 drops Bergamot oil in an aromatherapy spritz bottle with 58ml Tamanu oil and spray on cuts or scrapes to help disinfect wound. 

Helps Symptoms of Congestion

Bergamot’s antiseptic properties can also help alleviate symptoms of congestion and stuffy nose. 

• Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil when chest is congested or nose is stuffy from cold season.
• Mix 4 drops Bergamot oil with 10ml Grapeseed oil and rub on chest to help decongest or alleviate stuffy nose by breathing in.
• Add 4 drops Bergamot oil to a bowl of hot water, place face 10 inches from bowl and cover head with towel, inhale steam for a few minutes, repeat as necessary. 

Shopping For Quality Bergamot Oil

When shopping for a quality bergamot oil, be sure that the oil is pure and not diluted. Steam distillation is the preferred method for a pure and potent oil and organic plant matter can also make for a cleaner experience. If applying bergamot topically, it's important to purchase a carrier oil to dilute it in. Avocado oil is a great choice if applying to for a body oil or massage oil and grapeseed oil is great if applying it to your face or want it to absorb quickly.