Bergamot Oil
Citrus aurantium var. bergamia is the tree also known as C. bergamia Bergamot. It is the tree from which Bergamot essential oil is extracted. The tree belongs to the Rutaceae family and is commonly known as Bergamot orange. The Bergamot tree grows up to a height of four meters, bearing smooth leaves and star-shaped flowers. The tree gives rise to citrus fruits that resemble a cross between orange and grapefruit, and almost shaped like a pear. When the fruit ripens, it turns from green to yellow. This essential oil smells fresh and finds favor when used in aromatherapy.
Latin Name : Citrus aurantium
Common Names : Bergamot Oil
This tree owes its origin to South East Asia, but was later introduced to Europe. It is also found in the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria and particularly, in Italy. The scent of the oil is exceptionally wonderful citrus, which is fruity, and sweet and is reminiscent of neroli as well as lavender oil with a warm spicy, floral quality. The color of the oil varies from green to greenish-yellow and is not very thick, having a watery viscosity. The oil is extracted from the rind of both ripe and unripe fruits. The various chemical constituents composed in the essential oil includes a-pinene, myrcene, limonene, a-bergaptene, b-bisabolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, geraniol, geraniol acetate and a-terpineol.
Uses: Generally, the oil is widely used in perfumery and toiletry industry, often together with neroli and lavender, in the making of colognes. Besides this, Bergamot oil is also used to flavor Earl Grey tea. In the field of medicine, Bergamot oil is used in the treatment of depression, stress, tension, fear, hysteria, infections of the skin, anorexia, psoriasis, eczema and general convalescence. Bergamot oil drops are used in vapor therapy to reduce the effects of depression, respiratory problems, cold and flu, PMS and SAD. The oil is also used as a massage oil, or diluted in baths for their fragrance. In this way, it also helps to reduce stress, tension, SAD, PMS, skin problems, compulsive eating, postnatal depression, cold and flu, anxiety, depression, and anorexia nervosa. It is used to treat wounds and cuts, psoriasis, oily skin, scabies, eczema, acne, cold sores as well as chicken pox for it forms a major constituent in base creams used for the treatment of the above. Some precautions that you need to take while using Bergamot oil can cause burns when used on a sensitive skin. When exposed to sunlight, the oil has a high content of bergaptene which can cause photo-toxicity.
