Bergamot essential oil

 Release and Relax, Uplifting and Cooling, Support Healthy Skin

Bergamot Oil Product Description

Bergamot essential oil is a major component of the original Eau de Cologne composed by Farina at the beginning of the 18th century. The first record of bergamot oil as a fragrance ingredient is from 1714, found in the Farina Archive in Colgne.  Earl Grey tea is simply a black tea that contains bergamot essential oil as a flavouring.
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For years, Italians have used Bergamot for many purposes—to rejuvenate the skin, reduce feelings of stress, and more. There are many unique attributes of Bergamot that set it apart from other citrus oils, including the exclusivity of where it is grown, the fact that it is a bitter fruit that produces sweet oil, and its ability to create an uplifting and calming environment, just to name a few. Commonly used for soothing skin, in massage, and to purify and uplift, Bergamot is a great personal use oil, and has many applications in the health care setting as well, supporting wound care and homeostasis.

In a recent clinical trial, Watanabe, et al. (2015) evaluated the aroma of bergamot essential oil was for its effects on mood and the parasympathetic nervous system. The results suggest that when individuals inhaled with water vapor enhanced with bergamot essential oil, heart rate and cortisol levels in saliva (two indicators of anxiety and stress) were reduced by approximately 6% and 12%, respectively.

Bergamot Oil Uses and Benefits

• Add it to your water! ...or tea!

Like other citrus oils, Bergamot essential oil makes the perfect addition to any glass of water. If you want to give new life to a plain drink of water, consider adding a drop of Bergamot oil along with some cut up pieces of fruit. When you have Bergamot oil on hand, you can enjoy a cup of Earl Grey whenever you want. Remember, when adding essential oils to food or drink, less is more. Start out with a small drop and work your way up from there. If the oil is particularly strong, dip a toothpick in the oil and add it to your water, tea, or dish. This keeps the oil flavor from being too overwhelming.

• Diffuse, when you feel stress levels or tension geting high. 

While the aromas of many citrus oils are known to be stimulating or invigorating, Bergamot oil has unique calming capabilities that can help when tension or stress levels are high.   

• Bergamot for massage or bath, ahhhh 

These calming properties make Bergamot essential oil a popular choice for massage therapy. Not only does the oil promote a calm, serene atmosphere, but it is also purifying for the skin, which is why many massage professionals use Bergamot oil. If you want to use Bergamot oil for massage at home, use a carrier oil or dilute with Fractionated Coconut oil. for best results. 
Another simple, powerful way to experience this oils is in the showere. While in the shower, apply Bergamot oil to your skin and inhale deeply to experience the calming aroma while enjoying the purifying skin benefits of this versatile oil. Apply Bergamot oil to your feet before bedtime and enjoy a sense of calm and harmony as you drift off to dreamland—leaving the cares of your day behind.

To promote healing and reduce scarring of abrasions (scraped skin with little or no bleeding) and minor scabbed wounds, add 3-4 drops of bergamot essential oil to 8 ounces of cool water. Using a clean cloth, wash the wound with the diluted essential oil. Allow to air dry before putting any kind of bandage over the wound.

Enhance the muscle-relaxing benefits of an Epsom salt bath by adding 6 drops of bergamot essential oil and 6 drops lavender essential oil. For best results, add the essential oils into the stream of water that fills the tub. Reduce the number of bergamot and lavender essential oil drops to 3 of each, if using an Epsom salt for relief from rashes or other skin conditions. Or how about a foot massage with a unscented lotion with added Bergamot.

No matter what mood you are in, Bergamot oil can help promote uplifting, relaxing, and confident feelings—particularly when diffused. When diffusing on its own, use three to four drops of Bergamot oil in the diffuser of your choice. Diffusing this oil can help promote a sense of self confidence when you feel frazzled, or a sense of inner peace when feelings of stress abound. Looking for a good diffuser blend that uses the uplifting aroma of Bergamot? Try three drops of Bergamot and three drops of doTERRA Balance® for a relaxing and energizing diffuser blend that lets you escape a mundane or exasperating day. 

Other ideas for Bergamot, check out the doTERRA blog: 
Essential Cologne
Fizzing Bath Bombs
Foaming Hand Soap
Citrus Air Freshener
 
Plant Description
Bergamot essential oil comes from the bergamot fruit, grown primarily in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. Bergamot is unique to Reggio di Calabria because it thrives in the fresh sea-air and acidic soil found in this area. This climate allows growers to harvest high quality fruit that will produce pure essential oil. Different from other citrus fruits, bergamot is actually a bitter-tasting fruit that yields a sweet essential oil. Similar to lemon essential oil, bergamot is produced through cold pressing, where the Bergamot rind is mechanically squeezed—producing pure essential oil.

Chemistry of Bergamot Oil
Main Chemical Components: Limonene, linalyl acetate
As an oil in the citrus family, Bergamot oil includes the chemical component Limonene, which is commonly known for its uplifting aromatic characteristics. The uplifting nature of Bergamot’s chemical makeup is why it is frequently used in massage therapy, as it holds calming benefits. When diffused, the elevating chemical components can help when stress levels are high.


Sourcing
doTERRA sources Bergamot oil from Reggio di Calabria, Italy, where Italian families have run bergamot orchards for decades. Unfortunately, economic downturn has caused many families to abandon their orchards, leaving family tradition behind. Through the doTERRA Co-Impact Sourcing® Initiative in Italy, families can once again receive fair wages and guaranteed work as they produce high quality bergamot fruit in the orchards of Reggio di Calabria. The doTERRA Co-Impact Sourcing initiative in Italy allows families of Reggio di Calabria to provide for their families, boost the economy, and preserve the family tradition of growing some of the finest bergamot fruit in the world.

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Oils that blend well with Bergamot oil
As a citrus essential oil, Bergamot blends well with a variety of other oils. If you are looking for good oils to blend with Bergamot, try Lavender, Patchouli, Lime or another fav of mine, Arborvitae! 
 
​Cautions
Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

Watanabe, E., Kuchta, K., Kimura, M., Rauwald, H., W, Kamei, T., Imanishi, J. (2015). Effects of Bergamot Citrus bergamia Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States, Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity, and Salivary Cortisol Levels in 41 Healthy Females. Complementary Medicine Research,22. 43-49. DOI: 1159/000380989.