Bergamot Oil Benefits

Bergamot essential oil is the extract of the yellow rind or peel of citrus bergamia or bergamot orange. Citrus bergamia plants are widely grown in southern Italy for its oil from the rind. Even though it looks a little like an orange, tastes a little less sour than a lemon and has a citrus fragrant, the fruit and juice aren't consumed except when the juice is used as remedy to treat malaria.

The famous Earl Grey tea uses oil of bergamot for its flavor and aroma. It became known during the British Prime Minister in the 1830s. The oil of bergamot is also used as a base for eau de cologne or cologne water. It was introduced in cologne water way back in the early 1700 and is now available in perfumes, room sprays and other types of fragrances.

Bergamot essential oil is extensively used in aromatherapy for its healing effect. It is also an added ingredient in skin care and hair treatment products. This is due to its antiseptic, anti fungal activities and its ability to induce a calm and relaxed feeling.

Benefits and Uses of Bergamot Oil

1. One of its uses is to relieve anxiety, fatigue and stress as it helps you feel uplifted. You can soak in a warm bath added with a few drops of bergamot essential oil or disperse the fragrance of the oil of bergamot in your room using a diffuser or humidifier. For a more relaxing effect, add bergamot with lavender, chamomile or patchouli essential oil to your bath or diffuser. Another option is to use a bergamot stress relief aromatherapy body patch which includes ginger, rosemary and lavender essential oils. You can also get someone to give you a massage using diluted bergamot essential oil.
   
   
   
2. Since bergamot essential oil has antiseptic activity, it may help treat skin problems and inflammations such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. If you want to use it to treat acne, apply diluted oil of bergamot on the zit and leave it overnight. Before using this remedy, apply a little bit first inside of your wrist or elbow and leave it for a while to see if there is negative reaction.
   
   
   
3. Oil of bergamot is also a natural insect repellent and is safer than using chemical based repellent. Dilute the oil in a spray bottle and spray it on your hands and legs or apply the oil that is diluted with any carrier oil.
   
   
   
4. Fungi such as mold and mildew grow on moist areas and fabrics, cardboards, upholstery and wallpapers. To remove them, spray a mixture of 15 drops of bergamot essential oil with ½ cup of white distilled vinegar.

When buying bergamot essential oil, check the label and choose one that states that it is bergapten free. Bergapten is one of the chemicals in bergamot which when applied to the skin may cause high sensitivity to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If you have sensitive skin, even the bergapten free oil may cause irritation. To solve the problem, mix oil of bergamot with a carrier oil such as jojoba, grapeseed oil or almond oil.

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