| citrus bergamia | | | | Aromatherapy uses: |
| Rutacaea family | | | | Bergamot oil has a strong affinity for the urinary |
| Description: | | | | tract and is valuable in the treatment of cystitis and |
| Citrus Bergamia is a small tree about 4.5m high with | | | | urethritis. It should be used in the bath or as a local |
| smooth oval leaves. It belongs to the same family as | | | | wash at a 1% dilution. |
| the orange tree. The essential oil comes from the | | | | In helping with mental and psychological states |
| small round fruits which ripen from green to yellow, | | | | Bergamot is most valuable for its uplifting effects. For |
| similar to oranges in appearance. The Rutacaea family | | | | tension anxiety or depression bergamot should be |
| is extremely large covering over 30 genera. | | | | used in a massage oil or in a dally bath. |
| Distribution: | | | | The fragrance blends well with lavender, neroli, |
| Native to Morocco and tropical Asia it is grown | | | | jasmine, geranium, chamomile, lemon, cypress and |
| commercially in the Ivory Coast and is extensively | | | | juniper. bergamot can be used in the treatment of |
| cultivated in Calabria in Southern Italy. It was first | | | | tensions causing dietary problems such as over and |
| cultivated around Bergamo, from where it takes its | | | | under eating. |
| name. | | | | The antiseptic qualities of Bergamot make it ideal for |
| History / Traditions: | | | | the treatment of skin complaints such as acne, oily |
| The fruit has been used for hundreds of years in | | | | skin and all infections of the skin. |
| Italian folk medicine however the fruit was unknown | | | | Bergamot is cooling in feverish conditions and has |
| outside Italy and the fruit was not exported until | | | | effective insect repellent properties. |
| recent times. The oil was primarily used for the | | | | Bergamot has an inhibiting effect on certain viruses in |
| treatment of fever and intestinal worms. | | | | particular Herpes simplex 1 which causes cold sores. |
| Extraction: | | | | Bergamot will also allay the pain of shingles and ease |
| The essential oil is produced by cold expression of | | | | chicken pox in small children. |
| the peel of the nearly ripe fruit. Although there have | | | | Other Uses: |
| been many oils produce by mechanical processes the | | | | Bergamot is used extensively as a fragrance and is |
| best quality oil remains that which is produced by | | | | also found in toiletries and cologne. |
| hand. | | | | Safety data: |
| General Description: | | | | Certain furocumarins (including bergapten found in |
| The oil is a light greenish yellow liquid with an uplifting | | | | Bergamot) are photo toxic on human skin. This |
| citrus aroma and balsamic overtones. On aging the oil | | | | causes sensitivity and skin pigmentation when |
| turns to a brownish olive colour. | | | | exposed to sunlight. Therefore exercise caution when |
| The oil is known to have about 300 components the | | | | using Bergamot in sunny weather. Bergamot should |
| main being linalyl acetate 30-60%; linalol 11-22% and | | | | never be used undiluted on the skin. Severe burning |
| other alcohols, sesquiterpenes, terpenes, alkanes, and | | | | may result. |
| furocoumarins 0.3-0.39% | | | | |