(Citrus bergamia)
Family: Rutaceae
Description: The bergamot tree was originally grown only in Italy. It produces small citrus fruits that ripen from green to yellow, but the fruit is inedible because it is so sour. Bergamot is the finest of the citrus essential oils and is expressed from the peel of the nearly ripe fruit.
Countries of origin: Corsica, Morocco, Italy
Characteristics: Bergamot has sweet, lemon-fresh top notes and warm, floral, balsamic undertones. It blends well with other citruses and florals, and also with cypress, sandalwood, juniper, coriander, black pepper, ginger, clary sage, rosemary and frankincense.
Main- therapeutic properties: Analgesic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic, carminative, cicatrizant, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, sedative, stomachic, tonic.
Bergamot is the sunny essential oil. As well as being an excellent treatment for depression and anxiety, it is first choice for urinary-tract infections and cystitis, because it is a powerful disinfectant of the urinary system. Chronic
sufferers of cystitis become tense and anxious with the onset of symptoms, and in a local wash bergamot calms the nerves and relieves the symptoms. Overall, bergamot is cheering, uplifting and calming.
The lovely fragrance and powerful antiseptic qualities of bergamot make it a valuable addition to skin-care creams and lotions, and it is especially suited to oily skins and acne. Bergamot has a regulating effect on the appetite, and is useful both in convalescence and for those who are dieting, in a mood perfume or massage oil. Bergamot used in the bath is cooling for feverish conditions.
Psychologically, bergamot is reviving, soothing and balancing. Its sunny, anti-depressant qualities make it useful in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it is cheering generally on cold, grey, winter days. Bergamot is heart-warming and has an affinity with the heart chakra, gently relieving sadness, depression and grief.
Contraindications: Do not use if you have very sensitive skin or before exposure to sunlight. Use no more than 3 drops in the bath.
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