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Materia Aromatica – Bergamot – 5ml

£7.16

Bergamot essential oil has a lovely fresh, citrus-like, slightly bitter aroma and has strong antiseptic properties.

Bergamot has strong antiseptic properties. It is also carminative (relieving flatulence) and analgesic (providing pain relief). It has a strong effect on the mind, being uplifting and antidepressant. It imparts a feeling of optimism and spontaneity and helps us to relax and let go of accumulated tensions and unexpressed anger, which if not released or processed can eventually result in depression, anxiety, mood swings and insomnia. Great for infections and inflammations such as cystitis, cold sores, acne, chicken pox and shingles; to promote digestion as well as bowel function so is of assistance with spastic colon or irritable bowel syndrome, belching and flatulence; as an antiseptic in cases of bronchitis, tonsillitis and tuberculosis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the oil’s cool and dry energy is used chiefly to regulate qi, be it in the liver, stomach, intestines, uterus or lungs. It clears damp heat from the body, restrains infection and benefits the skin. Bergamot is associated with the liver and wood element so is indicated for use when feeling stressed, irritable, restless or suffering with PMT.

 

 

 

 

1 in stock

Description

Bergamot has a lovely fresh, citrus-like, slightly bitter aroma and blends well with many others oils, particularly flowers, fruits, woods and spices.

Therapeutic benefits

The medicinal properties are:

  • anti-depressive
  • antispasmodic
  • calmative
  • carminative (relieving flatulence)
  • digestive stimulant
  • stomachic (promoting appetite and aiding digestion)
  • antiseptic
  • analgesic (pain relief)

Uses

Bergamot is typically used:

  • to soothe anger, frustration and depression, by decreasing the action on the sympathetic nervous system.
  • for infections and inflammations such as cystitis, cold sores, acne, chicken pox and shingles.
  • to promote digestion as well as bowel function so is of assistance with spastic colon or irritable bowel syndrome, belching and flatulence
  • as an antiseptic in cases of bronchitis, tonsillitis and tuberculosis.
  • In Traditional Chinese Medicine the oil’s cool and dry energy is used chiefly to regulate qi, be it in the liver, stomach, intestines, uterus or lungs. It clears damp heat from the body, restrains infection and benefits the skin.
  • Bergamot is associated with the liver and wood element so is indicated for use when feeling stressed, irritable, restless or suffering with PMT.

Bergamot has strong antiseptic properties. It is also carminative (relieving flatulence) and analgesic (providing pain relief). It has a strong effect on the mind, being uplifting and antidepressant. It imparts a feeling of optimism and spontaneity and helps us to relax and let go of accumulated tensions and unexpressed anger, which if not released or processed can eventually result in depression, anxiety, mood swings and insomnia.

Suggestions for use: Bergamot’s sedative yet uplifting effects make it ideal for an evening bath or massage after a stressful day. It can be used in inhalations with eucalyptus radiata and rosemary for respiratory tract infections, or combined with tea in a gel for topical application for cold sores, acne, chicken pox and shingles.

Folklore

Bergamot oil was a key remedy in Italian folk medicine and from the 16th century appeared in a number of European herbals as a medicine to reduce fever and antiseptic. It became popular as a perfume in Napoleonic times and was a key ingredient of the classical toilet water eau de cologne. It is still used in perfumery today as a harmoniser and it provides the delicate yet distinct aroma to earl grey tea.

Chemical constituents

Bergamot is a subspecies of the bitter orange tree (citrus aurantium var. amara) and the two main cultivars are castagnaro and femmenillo. It is completely unrelated to the herbaceous perennial red bergamot or ‘bee balm’. Other members of the citrus genus include sweet orange, mandarin, lemon, lime and grapefruit. The oil may be named after Bergamo in Italy, where the oil was first distilled, or else due to the fruit’s shape which resembles the bergamot pear.

It contains close to 50% linalyl acetate along with bergamotine, bergaptene, limonene and linalol. The bergaptene & bergamotine content (furocomarin) means that the oil is phototoxic and will cause burns to the skin if exposed to sunlight.

Caution Bergamot is phototoxic and should not be used in stay-on products or prior to going into the sun. To use as an ingredient in creams and ointments, use the bergapten-free bergamot.

Soil Association Organic Certified - Logo

Citrus aurantium, ssp bergamia

From southern Italy

Organic – Soil Association certified

The oil is produced from the rind of the bitter orange tree by cold expression. It is nearly exclusively cultivated in southern Italy in the Calabria region. The fruits are harvested from November to January.