If you’re not familiar with Bergamot essential oil yet, you’re in for a treat! This oil has a host of amazing benefits, from reducing stress to fighting indigestion.
Keep reading to learn more about these benefits and how you can start using Bergamot oil today!
What Is Bergamot Oil?
Bergamot essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils, and for good reason! It is a gentle herbal medicine and home remedy. The oil has a wide range of applications, from simple aromatherapy benefits to skin care applications.
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Brief History
Bergamot essential oil is named after the city of Bergamo, in the South of Italy. It was later introduced to other countries such as Turkey, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.
The fruit grows on the Citrus bergamia tree.
Indigenous Italian people extracted the juice of Bergamot fruit to heal malaria and remove intestinal worms from the body.
Traditionally, the essential oil was used in Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine to support the digestive system.
Bergamot became distinctively popular when mixed with black tea, which was later called “Earl Grey” tea.
Plant Family
The Bergamot Fruit
Bergamot essential oil is a part of the citrus family with its scientific name being Citrus bergamia. (1)
The fruit shape looks like a bumpy, smaller-sized orange, lime or lemon. Its color varies between yellow and green, depending on how ripe the fruit is.
Essential Oil Production
In contrast to other essential oils that are extracted via steam distillation, the extraction of Bergamot essential oil is done by fruit peeling and then cold compression.
To this day, the Calabria region of Italy owns the top leading production of Bergamot, with approximately eighty percent of the total world’s production of the essential oil. Bergamot is one of the leading essential oils used because of its numerous benefits.
Bergamot Health Benefits and Uses
Below, you’ll find out how you can start using your bottle of Bergamot essential oil in everyday life. I’ve summarize the top 7 benefits you can expect to enjoy if you use Bergamot regularly.
1. Improve and Maintain the Digestive System
Bergamot essential oil can help the digestive tract to more easily digest food in your stomach.
It can relieve stomach cramps caused by indigestion, constipation, diarrhea etc.
The oil also helps the stomach to better absorb nutrients through the digestive process.
Using Bergamot oil regularly supports a cleansing of toxins within your body, especially in the intestines. It helps to relieve digestive discomfort.
Rub a few drops of this essential oil onto your lower belly for best results and satisfying effects.
2. Relaxes the Nervous System
Bergamot aromatherapy oil may help you relax after a long day at work. Its soothing aroma yields relaxing effects to many.
Inhaling bergamot oil from a diffuser may help stressed people, especially students and workers, to calm down when feeling overwhelmed. Add five drops of the essential oil to your aromatherapy diffuser to relieve tension.
Depression has also become a hot topic when feeling fatigued and generally low. This essential oil could turn depressed feelings to happiness again. It stimulates blood circulation (2), which in turn helps to energize your whole being. Research shows that it is effective in a way that stimulates your body to relax.
3. Fights Off Bacteria
Like some other essential oils, Bergamot combats germs, viruses and worms, too. It can treat intestinal problems that could lead to malnourishment and anaemia, especially in situations of low sanitation (think camping!). Apply two to three drops of oil with an equal amount of carrier oil into your hands and rub it onto your abdomen.
Fever, colds and cough are common illnesses for people of all ages. Bergamot essential oil can support the immune system. Use it as an alternative way to soothe the throat and chest, and to help loosen mucus and phlegm.
4. Nourishes Skin and Hair
Bergamot essential oil would not be the last essential oil to provide smooth and beautiful skin.
It is a cicatrizant that removes and prevents acne break outs and acne marks. It can lighten your dark and white spots and help you avoid developing oily skin. Bergamot can support your naturally glowing skin and can act as a toner as well, to clean the face from chemicals and dandruff.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money going to skin care specialists or salons. Simply add Bergamot oil to your current soap, shampoo or conditioner. Add two to three drops of oil to your current product and leave with more healthy, shiny hair. It can help smooth frizzy hair.
Rubbing Bergamot essential oil with an equal amount of carrier oil can help soothe headaches, migraines and muscle pain.
5. Mouth Wash
As a germ and bacteria fighter, Bergamot essential oil serves as a cavity fighter as well applying it to your toothpaste or simply dab the oil onto your teeth and rub it all over.
If you add Bergamot essential oil to your oral care regime, you can naturally protect your teeth from cavities and avoid tooth decays and gum problems.
Plus, it can be a mouthwash to prevent bad breath. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone!
6. Control Sweating
Another amazing use of Bergamot essential oil is to use it as a deodorant. It can help eliminate body odor caused by germs and bacteria.
Simply add two to three drops of the oil to your current deodorant or even directly to the armpits.
It is a good ingredient for making shampoos, conditioners, soaps, deodorant and air fresheners.
7. Perfume
Bergamot is an ingredient in many commercail lotions and face products.
Because it is used for perfumes, it is also useful as an air freshener. Riding to a taxi or even to private cars you could always smell the citrus flavors covering or deodorizing the odor of your room, furniture and carpets.
Bergamot Oil from Plant Therapy
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Precautions
- Please read and follow any precautionary measures before using Bergamot essential oil. Find the directions on the label of your essential oils bottle.
- Although it has great benefits, it might be sensitive to people who have high sensitivity level. It is always safe to conduct some precautionary measures as advised by your doctor.
- Like many other mentioned essential oils, pregnant women aren’t advised to use Bergamot without first consulting their family physician.
- The essential oil should be kept out of reach of younger children.
- It is also recommended to try a skin sensitivity test to avoid irritation and rashes of the skin.
- It must not be rubbed near the eyes, nose, and other sensitive areas of our skin.
- Always ask advice from your doctor or physician before using aromatherapy products liberally.
Final Thoughts
Bergamot essential oil is a useful natural home remedy, cosmetic and aromatic product. Not only does it smell delicious; its therapeutic benefits make it fun and beneficial to use at home.
References
(1) Citrus bergamia Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergamot_orange
(2) Bergamot stimulates blood circulation: https://infiore.net/blogs/journal/the-ultimate-blood-circulation-booster
People who want to sleep better can use bergamot essential oil and sleep soundly. It has been clinically proven that this essential oil calms you and promotes restful sleep, proving total relaxation and comfort to your body. Bergamot also relieves tension and anxiety, which are the main cause for discomfort.
Bergamot is also used for depression, off balance moods. It brings a sense of hope, relaxation & calm.
I use it for distressed children & homeless individuals. Its lovely for this
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with using Bergamot oil. I am so happy to hear it helped in your situations.