BERGAMOT CITRUS BERGAMIA

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BERGAMOT CITRUS BERGAMIA

 

Uplifting, refreshing and relaxing. Encourages cheerful emotions and ideal for

depression. Its delicate, sweet aroma can also be used to freshen and uplift a

room. Citrus Bergamia is a small tree about 4.5m high with smooth oval leaves.

It belongs to the same family as the orange tree. The essential oil comes from

the small round fruits which ripen from green to yellow, similar to oranges in

appearance.

 

Distribution

 

Native to Morocco and tropical Asia it is grown commercially in the Ivory Coast

and is extensively cultivated in Southern Italy. It was first cultivated around

Bergamo, from where it takes its name.

 

History / Traditions

 

The fruit has been used for hundreds of years in Italian folk medicine. However

the fruit was unknown outside Italy and wasn't exported until recent times. The

oil was primarily used for the treatment of fever and intestinal worms.

 

Extraction

 

The essential oil is produced by cold expression of the peel of the nearly ripe

fruit. Although many oils are produced by mechanical processes, the best

quality oil is produced by hand.

 

General Description

 

The oil is a light greenish yellow liquid with an uplifting citrus aroma and

balsamic overtones. On aging the oil turns to a brownish olive color. The oil

is known to have about 300 components the main being linalyl acetate 30-60%;

linalol 11-22% and other alcohols, sesquiterpenes, terpenes, alkanes, and

furocoumarins 0.3-0.39%

 

Aromatherapy uses

 

Bergamot oil has a strong affinity for the urinary tract and is valuable in the

treatment of cystitis and urethritis. It should be used in the bath or as a

local wash at a 1% dilution. In helping with mental and psychological states,

Bergamot is most valuable for its uplifting effects. For tension anxiety or

depression, bergamot should be used in a massage oil or in a dally bath. The

fragrance blends well with lavender, neroli, jasmine, geranium, chamomile,

lemon, cypress and juniper. bergamot can be used in the treatment of tensions

causing dietary problems such as over and under eating. The antiseptic

qualities of Bergamot make it ideal for the treatment of skin complaints such

as acne, oily skin and all infections of the skin. Bergamot is cooling in

feverish conditions and has effective insect repellent properties. Bergamot has

an inhibiting effect on certain viruses, in particular Herpes simplex 1 which

causes cold sores. Bergamot will also reduce the pain of shingles and ease

chicken pox in small children. Bergamot is used extensively as a fragrance and

is also found in toiletries and cologne.

 

Safety data

 

Certain furocumarins (including bergapten found in Bergamot) are photo toxic on

human skin. This causes sensitivity and skin pigmentation when exposed to

sunlight. Therefore exercise caution when using Bergamot in sunny weather.

Bergamot should never be used undiluted on the skin. Severe burning may result.