BERGAMOT

LATIN NAME FAMILY NAME SYNONYMS COLOUR VISCOSITY AROMA NOTE Citrus bergamia, Citrus aurantium subsp. bergamia Rutaceae Bergamot orange Pale greenish, yellow. Turns brownish olive with age Watery Sweet & fruity / uplifting citrus aroma / balsamic overtones / warm spicy floral quality Top

COUNTRIES OF PRODUCTION Native to Morocco & tropical Asia. First cultivated around Bergamo, Italy. Grown commercially in Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia & Algeria, Calabria in Southern Italy PARTS USED EXTRACTION METHOD YIELD Peel of the nearly ripe fruit Cold expression 0.5%

BLENDS WELL WITH Lavender, neroli, jasmine, juniper, chamomile, lemon, geranium, cypress, eucalyptus, jasmine, marjoram, Palmarosa, patchouli, ylang ylang, black pepper, clary sage, frankincense, mandarin, orange, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver

MAIN CHEMICAL COMPONENTS Known to have about 300 components the main being linalyl acetate 30 60%, linalol 11 22%, d- limonene, gamma terpinene, bergaptene, dipentene Other alcohols, sesquiterpenes, terpenes, alkanes furacoumarins 0.3 0.39% WARNINGS & CONTRA INDICATIONS Bergapten (a prominent chemical component of bergamot) is photo toxic on human skin, causing sensitivity & skin pigmentation when exposed to sunlight. Use caution when using bergamot in sunny weather Even when bergaptene (furocoumarin) is removed from the oil to minimise photo toxicity, it is still advisable to keep treated skin out of the sun May irritate skin Never use undiluted on the skin - severe burning may result

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, stomachic, calmative, febrifuge

BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL Irene Rains

THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS EMOTIONAL Used to relieve helplessness, hopelessness, emptiness & grief Valuable for its uplifting, refreshing & relaxing effects Used for tension, anxiety & depression Cooling & refreshing qualities soothe anger & frustration Helpful in treating SAD (season affected disorder) and PMS Generally feeling a bit off, lacking in confidence or feeling shy General convalescence DIGESTIVE Stress related dietary problems over & under eating GENITO-URINARY Bergamot oil has a strong affinity for the urinary tract Valuable in the treatment of cystitis & urethritis Use in the bath or as a local wash at a dilution of 1% or less RESPIRATORY Respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis, bronchitis & tuberculosis SKIN Antiseptic quality makes it ideal for treating skin complaints like acne, oily skin, all infections of the skin, including athletes foot Has an inhibiting effect on certain viruses, in particular Herpes simplex 1 which causes cold sores Reduces pain of shingles and chicken pox OTHER Cooling in feverish conditions Effective insect repellent properties

BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL Irene Rains

METHODS OF APPLICATION AEROSOL Vapour therapy Traditionally used for depression, feeling fed-up, colds, flu PMS SAD BATH / FOOT BATH Bath applications Stress, tension, SAD PMS Skin problems Athletes foot Compulsive eating Postnatal depression Feeling fed-up Anorexia CREAM OR MASSAGE OIL Skin conditions Emotional support for stress, tension, SAD, PMS, compulsive eating, postnatal depression, colds, flu, anxiety, depression, feeling fed-up, anorexia nervosa Wounds, cuts, psoriasis, oily skin, diaper rash, scabies, eczema, acne, cold sores

NOTES Should not be confused with the herb Bergamot (Monarda didyma)

BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL Irene Rains