Essential Oil of the Month- Bergamot

[Guest guest]

Essential Oil of the Month- Bergamot

Botanical Name: Citrus bergamia

 

Bergamot oil is cold pressed from the fruit produced from the small

Bergamot tree. The fruit resembles a miniature orange and like other

citrus oils, Bergamot is light, very uplifting and has a fresh

fragrance. The tree that was originally cultivated in Italy is now

grown mainly for the essential oil within its peel, with the blossoms

being used as the flavoring in Earl Grey Tea.

 

This Bergamot essential oil, Citrus bergamia, should not to be

confused with Bee Balm Bergamot (Monarda didyma), which is a member

of the mint family. They do have similar uplifting healing

properties, but to avoid confusion, the Bergamot we are talking about

comes from the citrus family and blends well with all other citrus

oils.

 

While we do not recommend using essential oils internally without

supervision of a professional, Bergamot is quite useful for the

digestive system. So perhaps a nice cup of Earl Grey tea after

dinner would be ideal if you suffer from indigestion, flatulence or

the common cold as it helps sore throats, tonsillitis, bronchitis and

strengthens the immune system.

 

Externally, Bergamot's antiseptic and astringent properties are

beneficial for most skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis,

and other skin infections including boils, cold sores and minor

itching due to a variety of irritations including insect bites.

 

Bergamot is the perfect oil to help balance and regenerate the mind.

It is very uplifting and helps for most mental, emotional and

psychological problems. Simply inhaling the oil from the bottle can

be calming, lower anxiety, help with depression and PMS. Useful for

leveling mood swings and lessening anger, frustration and emotional

addictions.

 

These emotional benefits make Bergamot a great oil for bath or

massage. Use it when you are not feeling well whether from cold or

flu symptoms or if you are feeling down emotionally.

 

Bergamot's Medicinal Properties Include: Analgesic, antidepressant,

anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic,

Antiviral, antifungal, astringent, bactericide, carminative,

digestive, diuretic, deodorant, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide,

laxative, parasiticide, stomachic, tonic, vulnerary.

 

Bergamot Blends Well With - Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium,

Lavender, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Petitgrain,

Rose, Ylang Ylang and other Citrus Oils.

 

Pure Essential Oil Usage

Inhalation - Add a drop or two to a tissue and inhale whenever

feeling fatigued, angered, frustrated or simply depressed.

Skin Care - Add 5 drops to a bowl of water and use as a facial

splash. Great for oily complexion and acne. Put in a spritzer bottle

for added convenience.

Mouth- Gargle to heal mouth sores and combat bad breath.

Bath - Add to the bath, for most skin infections including relieving

itching from chicken pox, shingles and eczema. Or use as an anti-

depression bath. Great during PMS. Also helps with varicose veins.

Massage - Very uplifting and regenerating to the skin as well as the

mind.

Other Uses - Add to your favorite lotion for a natural insect

repellent.

 

Caution: Phototoxic. Do not use if the area of application will be

exposed to sunlight due to its phototoxicity.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Recipes

As mentioned, Bergamot oil is said to be a natural mosquito

repellent. Place 2 drops on a cotton ball and put it in a pocket or

use the oil in an aromatherapy lamp.

 

Stress Buster

Lime's tangy and lively oil aroma mixes well with Bergamot.

8 Drops Bergamot essential oil

5 Drops Lime essential oil

Place the two oils together in a diffuser or oil warmer.

 

Neck Wrap

This is helpful for a stiff neck or swollen glands.

2 Drops Lavender essential oil

2 Drops Bergamot essential oil

1 Drop Tea Tree essential oil

2 Cups hot water

Mix together. While still warm, soak a soft cloth, flannel is best,

in the water and wring it out. Wrap it around the neck. Cover with a

towel to hold in the heat. Remove before it becomes cold. Repeat as

desired.

 

Clarity Blend

This blend uses oils with balancing and mildly energizing aromas.

28 Drops Patchouli essential oil

28 Drops Lavender essential oil

29 Drops Bergamot essential oil

10 Drops Clary Sage essential oil

5 Drops Rosemary essential oil

Diffuse into the air or add three drops of this blend to one ounce

carrier oil and use as a massage oil.

 

Digestive Stimulant

1 ounce Grapeseed oil

5 drops Bergamot

3 drops Ginger

3 drops Roman Chamomile

Blend oils and massage stomach and intestinal area in a clockwise

direction using small circular movements.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ease The Stress - Exercise For Stress Relief

 

It is well known that exercise helps to alleviate stress. In fact,

the American Council on Exercise reminds Americans that one of the

most effective methods of stress relief is exercise. The National

Heart, Lung and Blood Association endorses exercise as a way to

reduce stress, and recommends cardiovascular exercise that elevates

the heart rate for 15 to 30 minutes - three to four times per week.

 

Physically, exercise improves your cardiovascular functions by

strengthening and enlarging the heart, causing greater elasticity of

the blood vessels, increasing oxygen throughout your body, and

lowering your blood levels of fats such as cholesterol and

triglycerides. In addition to reducing stress, exercising also

decreases the chance of developing heart conditions, strokes, or high

blood pressure.

 

Mentally, exercise provides an outlet for negative emotions such as

frustration, anger and irritability, promoting a more positive mood

and outlook. Exercise improves mood by producing positive

biochemical changes in the body and brain. Regular exercise reduces

the amount of adrenal hormones your body releases in response to

stress. Also, with exercise, your body releases greater amounts of

endorphins, the powerful, pain-relieving, mood-elevating chemicals in

the brain. Depressed people often lack these neurochemicals.

Endorphins are natural pain killers and also help lift your mood.

 

While different forms of exercise have different benefits, there is

no one best exercise for stress relief. It all depends on your

individual skills and interests. Determine whether you prefer

exercising alone or doing activities with others. If the exercise is

too easy, you will get bored. If it's too strenuous you will just

feel more anxious and stressed. The key is discovering what works

best for you and finding the right balance. Most importantly,

choose activities that you enjoy and that are available and feasible

for you to do regularly.

 

Aromatherapy can add a pleasant dimension to exercising. Diffusing

essential oils into the atmosphere while working out is very

energizing physically, mentally and emotionally. Try Eucalyptus,

Lime, Peppermint or Spearmint essential oils to uplift and energize

you as you work out. We tend to repeat experiences that we enjoy

and scent creates powerful associations which can help us establish

pleasurable rituals combining stimulating aromas and exercise.

 

It's always a good idea to see your doctor before starting an

exercise program. If you have not exercised regularly for some time,

begin slowly with low impact exercise and gradually increase your

activity. If you experience any adverse side effects like cramps,

dizziness or chest pain, stop exercising and consult your physician.

 

Thinking of exercise as a form of self care instead of a burden or

unpleasant task can assist you in establishing a permanent place for

fitness in your life. Exercise is a great way to ease your tension,

release anxieties, clear your mind and keep your systems functioning

properly. After a short time of consistent exercise you will feel

so much better, you'll wonder what took you so long to get started.

Enjoy!