A relative of the orange, bergamot oil comes from a small, yellow-green citrus that emits an enticing floral aroma. Perhaps best known as the flavor and aroma of Earl Grey tea, its aromatherapy uses include:
- Promoting glowing skin health.
- Soothing occasional stress and tension while uplifting moods.
- Promoting positive energy and zesty optimism.
What is Bergamot?
Imagine a steaming cup of warming Earl Grey tea, with its familiar floral aroma and tangy, yet fruity flavor. This tangy profile is all thanks to bergamot, a small, yellow-green citrus with a distinctly textured rind and round, pear-like shape. Bergamot is a bitter fruit native to the tropics of Asia, though it is primarily cultivated in Italy’s Calabria region. It is harvested from the Citrus bergamia tree, which sports smooth leaves and eye-catching star-like flowers, and has been a staple of Italian folk practices for generations.
The name bergamot is derived from the city of Bergamo in Lombardy, Italy, where the first vial of bergamot essential oil is believed to have been sold. Its history of use for various practices is vast, and according to legend the fruit was first brought to the Caribbean in the 14th century, where voodoo practices adopted the fruit for its believed protection from misfortune and to keep travelers safe from the various physical and mental dangers of wayfaring. In 1714, during the reign of Napoleon, the pleasantly uplifting aroma was first introduced into perfumery and has been a staple fragrance in Eau de Cologne ever since.
Bergamot Essential Oil
It takes approximately 100 bergamot oranges to create 3 ounces of its beloved essential oil. Cold pressed from the rind of the fruit, bergamot oil is popular in aromatherapy for more than just its long prized citrus-sweet bouquet of fragrance!
When inhaling bergamot oil’s rich aroma, it can be wonderfully elevating and rejuvenating. It is revered for its ability to promote positive energy while offering an ease of emotionally and physically draining stress and worry that we all feel from time to time. Its soothing aroma can also stimulate zesty optimism reminiscent of the fruit itself, making it a popular oil to use alongside mindful meditation. Combined with a carrier oil and applied topically, bergamot oil can offer soothing physical benefits for the skin as well.
Blending essential oils opens up a world of wellness possibilities! Other oils that complement bergamot’s citrusy fragrance include: cedar, chamomile, coriander, geranium, lavender, lemon, lime, neroli, orange, and ylang ylang oils.
Piping Rock 100% pure Bergamot Oil is available in 1/2 oz., 2 oz. & 16 oz. bottles.
Bergamot Oil Directions for Use
Add 3-5 drops of Bergamot Oil to a diffuser or vaporizer, to a bowl of steaming water or a hot bath to fill a room with its tangy scent. To use topically, add ~5 drops of Bergamot Oil to ~10 mL of any Piping Rock carrier oil.
Bergamot Oil is for external use only and should be diluted in a carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed or avocado oil before being used topically. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin. Always consult your trusted physician before adding any essential oil to your regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications. Discontinue use and alert your doctor should an adverse reaction occur. Keep out of reach of children and away from eyes and mouth. Essential oils are flammable.
