All Natural Wednesdays: Natural Herbs - Bergamot Oil

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The French call the bergamot citrons doux which translates to "sweet lemons".


Bergamots (citrus bergamia risso) start out green and as they ripen, the peel becomes an orangey yellow. The French bergamot  has a yellow meat to it, and is less fragrant that the Italian Bergamot, whose meat is a pale green. They grow to about the size of an orange, and can be used for several things including cooking, fragrance, and medicine. It is also used as a companion plant, deterring pests that attack the roots of vegetable plants.


Bergamot is most notably used in Earl Grey tea, having a slightly sweet lemon taste. It's juices are used as an herbal remedy for treating Malaria.  


Bergamot should not to be confused with the herb that shares it's name. (The herb is a member of the mint family.)


The rind of a bergamot contains a large amount of essential oil, which is cold pressed from a nearly ripe fruit. The oil has a fresh, citrusy, happy, clean, energizing scent, making it a great deodorizer. 


Be cautious of sun exposure when using bergamot oil directly on skin, as it contains a chemical bergaptene, making it photo toxic. Bergapten, has been shown to alter potassium channel currents, causing twitching and muscle cramps. There is a case report of a man 44 years of age who experienced muscle cramps, fasciculations, paresthesias, and blurred vision after consuming up to 4 L (approximately 1 gallon) of Earl Grey tea (flavored with bergamot oil) daily. All symptoms disappeared after switching to pure black tea. Bergamot oil which has been distilled is known BF (bergaptene free) is also available. However, even with distillation traces of bergaptene will remain.


Theraputic properties of bergamot oil include: analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, stomachic, calmative, cicatrizant , deodorant, appetite stimulant, febrifuge , vulnerary, and vermifuge. Some of its components are useful in therapy for psoriasis and vitiligo. Bergamot oil can be used in soaps, bathwater, shampoo, teas, and mixed with other essential oils as well as a carrier oil for topical use and room fragrance. 


For more information about Bergamot oil, you can check out these links:
WebMD
Organic Facts
Wood Spirits
Aura Cacia
The Kitchn