Bergamot Essential Oil Uses

Bergamot, citrus bergamia, is a cold pressed essential oil from the rind of the citrus fruit of the Citrus aurantium tree of the Rutaceae family. The majority of the oils available are machine extracted while the finest quality oil is hand pressed.

It takes it's name from Bergamo, Italy where the oil was first sold as a food ingredient.  Christopher Columbus is credited for the introduction of the bergamot tree to Italy. It is now grown in Calabria, Italy.

                                                                                              

Bergamot is most commonly used for the treatment of depression, as a calming sedative and for skin care.

When used in blending it is considered a "Middle Note"

WARNING - Sunlight should be avoided after the use of bergamot on the skin as it is photo-toxic.

Therapeutic properties of bergamot oil include:
Analgesic - for muscular pain
Antidepressant - uplifting, helps to alleviate depression
Antiseptic - cleaning minor cuts and abrasions, acne, and eczema
Antibiotic - used to treat urinary tract infections
Anti-spasmodic - used for menstrual cramps
Stomachic - helps with nervous stomach conditions
Calmative - reduces anxiety
Cicatrisant - promotes the growth of scar tissue in healing wounds
Deoderant - eliminates odours
Digestive - helps to calm indigestion and regulate the appetite
Febrifuge - helps to reduce fevers
Sedative - helps to relieve anxiety and helps with relaxation
Vermifuge - expels intestinal worms
Vulnerary - used in the treatment of wounds

 Photo used under the GNU Free Documentation License    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Citrus_aurantium.jpg