25 Uses and Benefits of Bergamot Oil Include Urinary Tract Infections, Skin Diseases, Respiratory Problems

By Essential Oils Informer June 30, 2015 Essential Oils, Essential Oils for Aromatherapy, Essential Oils for Breathing, Essential Oils for Healing, Guest Post 0 Comments

By: Mary Link-Madani

The use of bergamot is growing in popularity for its healing properties. With toxic chemicals found in most household and medicinal products, many people are looking for all-natural and effective products to treat a number of problems. Bergamot Essential Oil can solve many health issues naturally. Read more about bergamot’s uses and benefits.

What Is the History of Bergamot?
Like all essential oils, the essential oil of bergamot has a interesting past. Although a native plant of tropical East Asia. Bergamot is now extensively cultivated in the southern part of Italy, in the Calabria region. It is also found in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and the Ivory Coast.It is thought that Christopher Columbus brought the tree from the Canary Islands to Spain and Italy. Its name is from an Italian city, Bergamo in Lombardy where the essential oil was originally sold. The scientific name of the plant is of the Rutaceae family, Citrus Aurantium var. or Citrus Bergamia.

What Is Its Chemical Composition?
Bergamot oil includes Alpha Pinene, Alpha Bergapten, Alpha Terpineol, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Nerol, Neryl Acetate, Beta Bisabolene, Geraniol, Geraniol Acetate and Myrcene.

How to Make Bergamot Essential Oil
Unlike other essential oils that are made through distillation, bergamot essential oil is derived through cold compression from the rind of nearly ripe fruit of the bergamot tree. The tree is small with long, oval green leaves with white star shape flowers. Watch this video as a guide to the oil.
The bergamot bears a small round fruit that is yellow when ripe. Its a small, round fruit is bitter and when raw, is inedible . The fruit looks like a miniature orange with a pear shape. Color ranges from yellow to orange when ripe. With a citrus-like aroma, the oil is sweet with spicy undertones and has a watery viscosity the color ranges from green to greenish-yellow oil. It has a refreshing scent. The Italians have used bergamot since the 16th Century in early medicine as a remedy for fever and as an antiseptic. It is also renowned for being used as the flavoring in Earl Grey Tea.

Bergamot Oil’s Benefits and Uses Are Listed
Bergamot oil has many benefits for us and our body. It has a high content of esters and alcohols, making it a gentle oil to use. In recent years Italian research has shown that Bergamot essential oil has a wide variety of uses in aromatherapy applications.
● Respiratory problems
● Skin diseases
● Mouth infections
● Urinary tract infections
● Digestive difficulties
● Stress reliever
● Infectious wounds
● Insect repellent
● Cystitis
● Analgesic
● Stimulant
● Diuretic
● Antiseptic
● Antidepressant
● Deodorant
● Boosting the liver
● Boosting the spleen
● Reducing colic
● Reducing oily skin
● Controlling acne
● Calming psoriasis flare ups
● Calming eczema flare ups
● Treating cold sores
● Tonic
● Perfumes
● Earl Grey Tea

What Cautions Should You Take Using Bergamot Oil?
Bergamot oil is known to be one of the most phototoxic essential oils and should be used with care in sunlight, hot climates and with ultraviolet light. Photo sensitivity is caused by the presence of furocoumarins, most notably bergapten, found in essential oil of bergamot. It is still considered to be a relatively non-toxic and a non-irritant essential oil. Before you purchase any essential oil, should know what you are getting. This video explains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRn_pbJAuQk
Case Study: Use Bergamot in Soap
I have used bergamot when making soap. It is a refreshing eye opening morning fragrance used alone or with a couple drops of Ylang Ylang. It makes a great face soap for teens and those with oily skin. It can be mixed with witch hazel for a astringent. Always follow with a moisturizing sunscreen. When used in a diffuser it can effectively help relieve seasonal affected disorder or generally feeling unmotivated. Visit MARY’s PICKS And GIVEAWAYS — THE HISTORY OF BERGAMOT: The essential oil.

Sources:
Organic Facts, Wise Geek and Aroma Blog. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-bergamot-essential-oil.html