Bergamot Essential Oils

Bergamot essential oils have a famous flavor and scent responsible for the distinct taste in Earl Grey Teas. Bergamot essential oils are derived from a small citrus fruit that grows on small trees about 15 feet high. With smooth oval leaves, this tree bears small round fruit that ripens from green to yellow, looking like a miniature orange. Bergamot tropical trees originally came from South East Asia but were introduced to Italy and Europe, and are found in Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria as well as the Ivory Coast. The flowers are star shaped on this citrus tree. The fruit from whence come Bergamot essential oils looks like a cross between grapefruit and oranges but can be pear shaped. Commercially, Bergamot essential oils are obtained from plants grown in southern Italy and the Ivory Coast.

The fruit peel of the nearly ripe fruit from this plant Citrus Bergamia (botanical name) is used from which to extract Bergamot essential oils by cold compression. Bergamot is part of the citrus family Rutaceae. Bergamot essential oils are thin oils that varies in color from light yellowish green to a yellowish brown. When Bergamot essential oils are aged, it turns a browning olive color. The scent has a middle note, and its strength varies between low to medium.

The fragrance of Bergamot essential oils is a citrus scent; it is fresh, and sweet, fruity and has a slightly spicy balsamic undertone. The city of Bergamot in the Lombardy area of Italy was the first to sell Bergamot essential oils and thereby gained its name. In Italian folk medicine Bergamot essential oils has been used for many years for treatment of malaria, fever and worms. For hundreds of years, Bergamot essential oils have been used to work with skin conditions related to oily complexions in the Middle East. The distinctive flavor of Earl Grey Tea comes from the use of Bergamot essential oil as a flavoring.

In her book, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless describes the key qualities of Bergamot essential oils as “Reviving, refreshing, calming, soothing, uplifting, sedative, regulating, balancing, anti-depressant.”

Some of the common uses of Bergamot essential oils have been depression, tension, insomnia, agitation, hysteria, stress, tension, infection, anorexia, eczema, psoriasis, viral infections (Herpes, cold sore) and intestinal parasites. Some other uses for Bergamot essential oils have been suggested for bronchitis, oily complexions, coughs, sore throats, tonsillitis, respiratory infections, thrush, and urinary infections.

One cautionary note on Bergamot essential oils is that it should not be used on skin that could be exposed to sunshine or UV lighting within 36 hours after application, because pigmentation changes can occur. Bergamot essential oils are very photo-sensitive.

Blends of Bergamot essential oils work especially well with Jasmine, Lavender, geranium, chamomile, cypress, neroli, lemon, juniper, coriander and violet.

Action of Bergamot essential oils are described by Julia Lawless as “analgesic, anathematic, anti-depressant, antiseptic (pulmonary, genitor-urinary), antispasmodic, antitoxic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, deodorant” and a few others. Bergamot essential oils have been used extensively as a fragrance and in many eau-de-colognes. Bergamot essential oils have wide usage in many food categories and beverages.

Bergamot is one of the top most popular Essential Oils used worldwide. Click to purchase Bergamot essential oil.

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