Bergamot Citrus bergamia from Italy
Bergamot is citrus royalty with a sweet, exotic, bright aroma which lightens the heart. It is a cross of the bitter orange tree (neroli) and the lemon tree giving it a divine uplifting scent. Bergamot is well known from its presence in Earl Grey tea. It’s a powerful mood enhancer and brings the cheer one would expect when experiencing this oil. Incredible for blending perfumes and colognes and brings bright notes into homemade body care preparations.
Bergamot is a powerful mood enhancer and can be used in cases of depression, anxiety, sadness, grief or to increase general enjoyment and mood. Bergamot is calming to the mind and can bring pleasant dreams when used at night. It is good for use in mouthwash and toothpastes and benefits our oral health. It has an affinity for making smooth healthy hair and can be spritzed into the hair for natural highlights. It is antiseptic, anti-fungal and recommended for oily skin, acne and depression.
Bergamot blends beautifully with nearly all essential oils for home formulations and perfumes. It blends with neroli, jasmine, rose, rose geranium, lemon, chamomile, lavender, clary sage, peppermint, sweet orange, frankincense, lemongrass, vetiver, rosemary, ylang ylang, sandalwood and hundreds more.
The peel of the bergamot fruit has been used in herbalism, food and essential oil since 1725 in Italy. Bergamot essential oil is made through cold extraction of the nearly ripe fruit peel. Bergamot has a shelf life for 1-2 years and should be kept away from heat and light in an upright position with the cap on firmly. The essential oil will oxidize with exposure to air, heat and light, over time the color characteristics of the essential oil will change to a nearly clear color.
Over 300 organic compounds make up the chemistry of bergamot essential oil. These include linalyl acetate which is also found in lavender and has a calming and a soothing effect on mind and body. d-limonene which has shown anti-tumor, immune boosting and detoxifying. It also contains bergaptene which is a powerful photosensitizing agent. It is advised that bergamot essential oil not be applied to areas of skin which will receive direct sun exposure and especially not before sunbathing. It like lemon, orange and grapefruit can be drying or irritating to the skin undiluted and is best utilized using a carrier oil, alcohol, water, gel, lotion ect.
RECIPES
Joy blend:
8 drops bergamot
4 drops clary sage
3 drops neroli
1 drop jasmine
Mix this into ½ ounce castor, jojoba or marula oil for an amazing perfume which must be experienced!
Sweet dreams blend:
4 drops bergamot
4 drops clary sage
4 drops lavender
2 drops ylang ylang
In 1 ounce carrier oil. Apply to the skin before bed to bring deeper sleep and pleasant dreams.
