Bergamot MNB
Bergamota
- Essential Information
- Chemistry
- Therapeutic Properties
- Energetics and TCM
- Blending
- History
- Safety Informaton and Shelf Life
- Related Products
Botany
Bergamot is a small evergreen tree that can grow up to 12 m. tall. It is propagated by grafting, and the best results are obtained by using bitter orange, which produces sturdy long-living trees.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.
Fruits have an uplifting and cleansing effect. They contain a lot of water, and are good for the lymphatic system and for emotional cleansing. They are refreshing, and the oils can be used to bring fresh, clear energy to a space. They bring nourishment and energy! Fruits also protect and nurture the seeds in the plant. Citrus oils can be used to encourage inspiration, fun, creativity, self expression and ease. The oils are often used in blends to lift depression and offer joy to the heart and mind.
Cold expression of the somewhat unripe bergamot fruit rinds. December-March.
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.135
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.1351 kg oil yield from 200-250 kg of the rinds (a moderate yield)
35.5 oz of oil from 200000 – 250000 grams of rinds
1 drop of oil from 11.8 grams
Calming, soothing, sedative, emotionally uplifting
Antispasmodic; regulating and balancing action on the sympathetic nervous system; anti-inflammatory; effective on skin rashes and irritations.They are adaptogenic (helping the body adjust to, and deal with stress)
- Some are good digestive aids (like Cardamom, Roman Chamomile, and Bergamot).
Airborne deodorizers and purifiers; decongestant (respiratory and muscular); some are rubefacients and provide an analgesic effect where muscle pain and stiffness are present; skin penetration enhancers; inhibit the accumulation of toxins; many have anti-inflammatory effects; many are antiviral; reduce stagnation, supporting movement or change in the body.
Tend to be uplifting and energetic
Linalyl acetate 27.62% Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumoral, antiulcerogenic, immunostimulant, sedative.
- Limonene 39.2% Helps activate white blood cells, Immune supportive, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumoral, antiulcerogenic, skin penetration enhancer
- Γ-terpinene 7.63% antioxidant , circulatory
- β-Pinene 6.19% Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic
Antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anxiolytic, calmative,febrifuge.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.
Infections, fever, indigestion, acne, herpes sores, depression, stress, tension, insomnia, fear, emotional crisis, emotional strengthening, convalescence.
Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: over 800 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health, Beauty, and Safe Home and Work Environments. New World Library, 2016.
Emotional disposition, mood swings, irritability, frustration, emotional and mental confusion, pessimistic outlook, depression, sluggish energy in the morning, disorganization, digestive problems worsened by stress, bad breath, oily or lifeless skin.
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.138,139
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.138,139Essential PNEI function and indication: Regulating in dysregulation conditions
Possible brain dynamics: Reduces deep limbic system hyperfunctioning.
Indicated psychological disorders: Bipolar disorder, ADHD, minor depression, addictions and addictive behaviors in general.
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.138,139Tropism: Nervous, digestive, urinary, respiratory systems.
Essential functional and diagnostic indication: Balances and harmonizes dysregulated conditions.
ANS regulator, nervous relaxant and restorative: dysregulated and mildly hypertonic (tense) and weak (atonic) chronic conditions with tension, mood swings, insomnia, anxiety; chronic neurasthenia; all chronic stress-related conditions, bipolar disorder, anorexia.
Biliary and gastric stimulant, cholagogue, spasmolytic, carminative: biliary and gastric deficiency with appetite loss, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, halitosis.
Febrifuge: fevers, esp. from infection, incl. malaria.
Antimicrobial actions:
Antiviral: herpes simplex, herpes zoster/shingles.
Moderate antibacterial: mouth, throat, skin, bladder and respiratory infections (incl. laryngitis, strep throat, tonsillitis)
Mild anthelmintic, vermifuge: intestinal parasites.
“Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute.” Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute, www.aromahead.com/.Digestive discomfort: Bergamot is a powerful antispasmodic, and can be effective in eliminating abdominal cramps. It is also an effective aid for digestion. In blends for digestive discomfort, Bergamot works well with Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Melissa, Sweet Fennel, Sweet Marjoram, Ginger, and distilled Lime.
Emotional health: Bergamot is one of the most valuable oils I’ve used to support emotional health and well-being. Try it in a diffuser. Try it with Clary Sage and Rose, or with Rosemary, to refresh and uplift. To reduce anxiety, consider Neroli, Frankincense, and Ylang Ylang.
Respiratory: Bergamot has antispasmodic actions, so it can be helpful in calming spastic coughing. It can also help combat respiratory infections. In this case, you might like to blend it with ester-rich Clary Sage to enhance antispasmodic activity, or with Juniper Berry to reduce congestion. Oxide-rich Laurel or Cardamom would be perfect for expectorant actions, as would Eucalyptus (of course!), which is active against a range of respiratory pathogens.
Immunostimulant: For compromised immunity, colds, and flu, Bergamot could be blended with Laurel, Clove Bud, Frankincense, and Ginger.
Musculoskeletal: Bergamot works in massage oils to reduce tension and soothe painfully tight muscles, and it’s great for restless leg syndrome. Consider blending it with Basil, Lavender, Clary Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Geranium, Juniper Berry, Black Pepper, or Clove Bud.
Stress and hypertension: Bergamot is useful for soothing depression and anxiety. It blends well with other antidepressant oils such as Geranium, Rose, Patchouli, and Lavender. It can be used in a diffuser or in massage blends.
“Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute.” Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute, www.aromahead.com/.Analgesic: Bergamot has antinociceptive activity, and it’s been established that both linalool and linalyl acetate are important in this respect (Sakurada et al. 2009). There is evidence of neuroprotection in ischemia and pain. It has potential in the treatment of cancer pain and related depression and anxiety (Bagetta et al. 2010).
Anti-inflammatory: Often cited as having anti-inflammatory action given the presence of linalool and d-limonene.
Antibacterial: Bergamot is used in folk medicine to treat infections (Bagetta et al. 2010).
Antidepressant: When inhaled along with Ylang Ylang and Lavender, Bergamot reduced psychological stress responses and serum cortisol levels, and reduced the blood pressure of patients with essential hypertension (Hwang 2006). In a hand massage blend with Lavender and Frankincense, Bergamot helped alleviate pain and depression in cancer patients (Chang 2008).
Antifungal: Bergamot essential oil is active in vitro against common dermatophytes (Sanguinetti et al. 2007), and active in vitro against clinical Candida isolates (Romano et al. 2005).
Antispasmodic: Linalyl acetate can induce relaxation of smooth muscle and has a vasorelaxant effect (Kang et al. 2013).
Carminative: Ability to support digestion and prevent gas. This effect is related to its antispasmodic activity, which is due in part to linalyl acetate.
Cooling: In folk medicine, Bergamot is used as a topical antiseptic and for wound healing (Bagetta et al. 2010). It’s also helpful for superficial pain and itching.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.Antiviral: Bergamot oil inhibits herpes simplex I virus that causes cold sores. It is particularly effective in combination with tea tree and lavender for the treatment of cold sores, chicken pox and shingles.
Digestive system: bergamot oil is particularly beneficial for nervous indigestion and loss of appetite due to emotional stress.
Integumentary system: Bergamot oil’s antiseptic and vulnerary actions makes it useful for treating wounds, burns, herpes and varicose ulcers. Bergamot oil is also recommended for treating eczema and psoriasis.
Psychological: Holmes says that bergamot oil promotes emotional stability. He recommends bergamot oil for reducing irritability, moodiness, frustration, mood swings and emotional instability. Bergamot oil can also be used to alleviate negative thinking, repetitive thinking, pessimism and mild depression.
Holmes suggests that bergamot oil can promote optimism and set the stage for true emotional transformation. He states that bergamot oil is ‘exceptionally harmonising’. He describes it as being able to close the gap between mind, body and emotions. Bergamot is ideal for treating stress related conditions with symptoms that fluctuate between hyper and hypo functioning.
Skin care: Bergamot oil is typically recommended for oily congested skin. However bergamot oil is phototoxic, so please exercise caution when using it in skin care.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.
Uplifting yet calming. Brings positive and cheerful energy. Self love.
of bergamot is young, fresh, caring and considerate. She says that bergamot types may not necessarily be young in age, but they will always be young, at heart and have a joyful approach to life. They do not allow the negative things in life to drag them down. They generally are very confident and have a strong positive attitude. They often find themselves in any role in which they can display their charismatic personality, or in the caring professions that require large amounts of energy, skill and enthusiasm. T
They are very enthusiastic and their joy for life can be contagious. They have a rich imagination and active mind. Their thoughts are always wandering and their mood constantly changing. They can be inspiring and charismatic leaders. They are always involved or in love with someone or something new.
To any soul, bergamot brings freshness and illumination, lifting us from stagnation, bringing an awareness that the light will rescue us and take us ever forward to the realms of peace and joy.”
bergamot will help heal and cheer our soul, encouraging us to explore our deeper innermost feeling.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.Worwood beautifully describes the subtle qualities of bergamot:
“It brings eternal youth and happiness, even to those who have put aside their problems, ignoring them until they have become so overwhelming that the person feels that they cannot ask for help… we my cry inside, our hearts aching, but bergamot will lighten the heart, and dispel self-criticism and blame. To any soul, bergamot brings freshness and illumination, lifting us from stagnation, bringing an awareness that the light will rescue us and take us ever forward to the realms of peace and joy.”
If your spirit is flat, sad or depressed, Zeck says that bergamot will help heal and cheer our soul, encouraging us to explore our deeper innermost feeling. Holmes beautifully summarises the subtle qualities of bergamot:
“ Ultimately, then, we can say that bergamot’s highest gift is to assist in staying with our own experience and to be ever open, curious and in wonder of each moment of life as it arises, each wonder of each moment of life as it arises, each now as it unfolds – without the burden of previous feelings and concepts. As a light-filled refresher of the mind and soul,
bergamot simply suggests that the mind and soul, bergamot simply suggests that to experience life in a balanced way, we need to start by accepting the experience of each moment for that it is, without prior expectations.”The green colour of bergamot has an affinity with the heart chakra. It is useful when the heart chakra is affected by grief.
Keim, J., & Bull, R. (2016, November 10). Aromatherapy Anointing Oils, Revised & Expanded: Spiritual Blessings, Ceremonies, and Affirmations (2nd ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
“Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute.” Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute, www.aromahead.com/.Relaxing, restorative, calming
Emotionally uplifting
Supports the release of repressed emotion
Helps reduce insomnia and anxiety
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.138,139
- Aroma energy: Sweet, lemony
- Movement: Circulating
- Warmth: Neutral to warm
- Meridian tropism: Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Heart
- Five-Element affinity: Wood, Fire
- Essential function: To regulate the Qi and harmonize the Shen.
- Liver Qi, constraint with Shen disharmony, with distraction, confusion, irritability, mood swings, frustration: Mandarin / Spearmint / Grapefruit / Basil ct. chavicol.
- Liver and Heart Qi, constraint with Shen disharmony, with distraction, restlessness, overstimulation, insomnia, palpitations, irritability, anxiety with possible depression: Blue Tansy / Marjoram / Ylang Ylang / Jasmine sambac
- Liver-Stomach disharmony / Qi stagnation with epigastric fullness, bloating, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting: Peppermint / May Chang / Fennel / Ginger
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.Fischer-Rizzi perfectly describes the character of bergamot.
Thanks to bergamot’s sunny and warming disposition, the oil helps people regain self confidence, and it uplifts and refreshens the spirit. The gentle fragrance, like a bouquet of flowers, evokes joy and warms the heart.
The personality of bergamot is young, fresh, caring and considerate. She says that bergamot types may not necessarily be young in age, but they will always be young, at heart and have a joyful approach to life. They do not allow the negative things in life to drag them down. They generally are very confident and have a strong positive attitude. They often find themselves in any role in which they can display their charismatic personality, or in the caring professions that require large amounts of energy, skill and enthusiasm. The bergamot personality is very good with children as their energy levels are very compatible.
When bergamot personality types become stressed, they may suffer from depression; however, they rarely allow anyone to really see just how down they can be or how sad they are feeling. Worwood says that nobody may suspect that behind the mask, a bergamot may be inwardly crying, with emotional pain, only the empathy that they display towards others who are feeling distressed may give them away.
According to Myers-Briggs personality types, the bergamot personality is likely to be an ENFP. ENFPs are outgoing, lively and spontaneous. They are very enthusiastic and their joy for life can be contagious. They have a rich imagination and active mind. Their thoughts are always wandering and their mood constantly changing. They can be inspiring and charismatic leaders. They are always involved or in love with someone or something new. They know how to establish instant rapport and make people feel comfortable. They love emotional intensity and enjoy expressing their feelings. They can be charming and flirtatious. They relate with warmth to many people and can appear overly enthusiastic, positive and optimistic.
Holmes, Peter, et al. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, an Imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016. p.137,138
- Bergamot + Mandarin: nervous sedative for all acute or chronic stress-related conditions, esp. anxiety, insomnia.
- Bergamot + Lavender: nervous sedative, hypnotic, biliary and gastric stimulant in all hyperactive, stress-related conditions, esp. with upper digestive deficiency.
- Bergamot + Lemongrass: antipyretic for fevers in general.
- Bergamot + Rosemary/Peppermint: cholagogue, spasmolytic, carminative in upper digestive deficiency with indigestion, bloating, flatulence.
- Bergamot + Naouli + Peppermint: antiviral for shingles and other viral conditions.
Rhind, Jennifer. Aromatherapeutic Blending: Essential Oils in Synergy. Singing Dragon, 2016.Musculoskeletal: for pain, including pain due to inflammation, blend with true lavender, clary sage, geranium, juniper berry, black pepper, long pepper, pink pepper, coriander seed, or cinnamon leaf or clove bud.
Skin: for itching or pain, blend with true lavender, geranium, immortelle, and consider also citral-rich oils such as may chang (Litsea cubeba) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), or bergamot mint and peppermint or spearmint.
Psyche: for anxiety and depression, perhaps accompanied by pain and stress, consider blending with true lavender, ylang ylang and frankincense; for a refreshing aroma, blend bergamot with lemon, orange, petitgrain bigarade, rosemary and a small amount of neroli – these are classic ‘eau de cologne’ aromatics.
Energetic: evaporate to difffuse an atmosphere of anger and frustration.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.Bergamot oil has a calming and relaxing influence and it can also be an uplifting and energising oil. The pleasant, refreshing citrusy and floral aroma of bergamot gives it a beautiful uplifting and yet relaxing quality. Lavabre states that bergamot oil is a blend enhancer.
To alleviate fatigue, lethargy and mental exhaustion, consider blending bergamot oil with essential oils such as basil, geranium, ginger, lemon, lemongrass, cold-pressed lime, peppermint or rosemary.
To alleviate anxiety, nervous tension and stress, consider blending bergamot oil with essential oils such as coriander seed, frankincense, lavender, geranium, mandarin, neroli, sweet orange, sandalwood or ylang ylang.
To create an antiseptic blend for use in a vaporiser, consider blending bergamot oil with essential oils such as bay laurel, cajeput, lemon, 1,8-cineole rich eucalyptus, lemon-scented eucalyptus, fragonia, manuka, myrtle, pine or tea tree.
Fischer-Rizzi recommends using bergamot oil for balancing those essential oils with good psychological effect but with unpleasant odour that some people may consider unpleasant or too strong such as cypress, cistus, everlasting, frankincense or yarrow.
Worwood, V. A. (2016). In The Complete Book of Essential Oils and aromatherapy. Over 800 natural, nontoxic, and fragrant recipes to create health, beauty, and safe home and Work Environments. story, New World Library.8 drops Vetiver
6 drops Bergamot
3 drops Cistus
First blend the essential oils together. For baths:dilute 1-2 drops in a little carrier oil before adding to the bathwater. For massage oil: dilute 1-2 drops in each teaspoon (5ml) of carrier oil, and use as small amount each time.
6 drops Geranium
7 drops Bergamot
3 drops Lavender
First blend the essential oils together. For baths: dilute 2-3 drops in a little carrier oil before adding to the bathwater. For massage oil: dilute 2-3 drops in each teaspoon (5ml) of carrier oil, and use a small amount each time.
“Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute.” Aromatherapy School and Courses – Aromahead Institute, www.aromahead.com/.2 drops Bergamot
4 drops Lavender (angustifolia)
5 drops Roman Chamomile
3 drops Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
4 drops Sweet Orange
Blend into 1 oz (28 gm) cream or carrier oil. Massage a capful gently into belly.
Battaglia, Salvatore. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy – Foundations & Materia Medica. Third ed., I, Black Pepper Creative Pty Ltd, 2018.Bergamot was cultivated as an ornamental at the end of the seventeenth century. It is believed to have been first cultivated for the fragrance of its fruits towards 1750 near Reggio Calabria. The first documented use of bergamot essential oil in perfumery was in 1693 in Le Parfumeur Francois, printed in Lyon. It was used in perfume called Essence de Cedre ou Bergamotte.
Weiss states that bergamot essential oil was on the main ingredients used in the original eau de cologne made by the Feminis family in the sixteenth century. Bergamot expressed oil was well established in Italy by the mid-eighteenth century.
Tisserand, Robert, et al. Essential Oil Safety: a Guide for Health Care Professionals. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2014.Phototoxic (moderate risk); may be photo carcinogenic.If applied to the skin at over maximum level, skin must not be exposed to the sunlight or sunbed rays for 12 hours.
Maximum dermal use level: 0.4% to avoid phototoxicity. (approx. 1-2 drops)
4 years
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