Bergamot
Citrus Bergamia
Bergamot Oil is a delicate and fragrant oil that originates from Italy. Used in perfumery and aromatherapy, the unique scent of Bergamot has cemented it in the hearts of many essential oil lovers. It can be used to treat skin sores, infections and digestive issues as an alternative approach, but can also be used to create home made perfumes, soaps, candles and a scent for the home.
History of Bergamot Oil
Bergamot Oil is one of the most prized citrus oils out there! For hundreds of years it has been used in beauty, and originated in Italy. The name ‘Bergamot’ actually comes from the Italian city Bergamo, and that is where the oil was first sold! This citrus fruit grows nearly exclusively in Italy, but can also be found in Argentina, Morocco and Turkey to name a few! It was used by the Italians to treat digestive issues, as well as skin health and fever. It is also used to create Earl Grey tea - which is incredibly popular in the UK! Bergamot Oil is mostly produced in Italy, and around 75% of all Bergamot Oil has come from there!
So, why has Bergamot Oil survived through the ages and is still popular today?
Bergamot Oil has continued to be a staple for a lot of countries and cultures because of its versatility, and pleasant scent that a lot of people enjoy. Also, due to the fact that it is used in teas and perfumes means that it has cemented itself in modern culture. Earl Grey has been a popular tea for decades, and the distinctive taste and scent comes from adding Bergamot to the tea leaves.
The bergamot fruit can also be used for its juice and rind, aside from its oil; This means that it is seen as less of a luxury and more something that people can get complete use from as they are able to make juices and other concoctions from the whole fruit. Bergamot Oil has a history of treating infections such as skin sores, bladder infections and gingivitis, which for those who are against using man made medicines, know they can rely on Bergamot Oil in their collection to help them with often painful conditions! It really is the jack of all trades, meaning that Bergamot Oil is a staple for many.
Extracting Bergamot Oil
Like other citrus essential oils on the market, there are a number of ways in which Bergamot Oil can be extracted, but the most popular method commercially is via cold pressing. This involves using a pressing method which uses pressure to squeeze out the oil from the fruits’ rind, leaving you with the oil. Other ways of extracting the oil (although less popular on mass scale) can be achieved through steam distillation or using alcohol. Cold pressing is the most popular as you yield the most oil through this method, and this is done right before the fruit ripens!
Can I make Bergamot Oil at home?
Yes - you can! Although it does come with its challenges, as you would need to grow the bergamot fruit at home (the trees take many years to grow before they even produce fruit) or buy it at a supermarket. In some countries, accessing the bergamot fruit may be difficult due to growing conditions and location, but if you do access it, you can create the oil at home. Like other citrus oils, you can extract the oil using pure alcohol to draw the oils out from the peel. This involves combining the washed peel of the fruit in a glass, UV protected jar with alcohol (enough to cover the rinds). You then leave the mixture for 1-2 weeks and after that point, the alcohol would have evaporated and you must strain the peels from the liquid, and what you are left with is the oil.
In summary, like with most essential oils - you are probably better off buying them unless you already own the tools to make the oil at home. Nevertheless, a lot of the Essentially Yours team love experimenting and creating their own blends at home, so why not!
Can I make Bergamot Oil at home?
Yes - you can! Although it does come with its challenges, as you would need to grow the bergamot fruit at home (the trees take many years to grow before they even produce fruit) or buy it at a supermarket. In some countries, accessing the bergamot fruit may be difficult due to growing conditions and location, but if you do access it, you can create the oil at home. Like other citrus oils, you can extract the oil using pure alcohol to draw the oils out from the peel. This involves combining the washed peel of the fruit in a glass, UV protected jar with alcohol (enough to cover the rinds). You then leave the mixture for 1-2 weeks and after that point, the alcohol would have evaporated and you must strain the peels from the liquid, and what you are left with is the oil.
In summary, like with most essential oils - you are probably better off buying them unless you already own the tools to make the oil at home. Nevertheless, a lot of the Essentially Yours team love experimenting and creating their own blends at home, so why not!
Bergamot Oil Varieties
Bergamot Oil Varieties
The number of varieties of Bergamot is unknown, as there are theories that the tree is a cross between orange and lemon - so in essence there could be thousands of varieties! Seeing as the majority of Bergamot Oil comes from Italy, you can expect to have the most choice from brands that purchase from a supplier in Italy. Like most essential oils, Bergamot Oil should not be ingested, as the only part of the fruit you can ingest is the flesh or the juice (as it is used in cooking mostly). The oil itself is used in aromatherapy, as well as for skincare and hair care.
So, how do I know which variety of Bergamot Oil I should use?
With most essential oils that don’t have distinctive varieties that you can purchase, the best thing you can do is look into the reviews of the oil online and see exactly what it is described to target. Everybody has different goals that they are looking to achieve with essential oils, and that could be general wellbeing all the way to creating all-natural cleaning products to live a chemical free lifestyle. Naturally, the more expensive varieties of oil can be relative to how rare that type of oil is, but it also may be down to the brand you are purchasing from.
Also, it’s important to know that if you live in a country/location where a type of essential oil is harder to source, that you may only have a limited option and it could be more expensive. This is why we recommend doing your research first, and also - if you live in Italy and have access to cheap bergamot fruit, you could even make your own essential oil at home!
Everybody’s skin, hair and body can react differently to essential oils, so it’s key to find what works for you personally, too!
So, how do I know which variety of Bergamot Oil I should use?
With most essential oils that don’t have distinctive varieties that you can purchase, the best thing you can do is look into the reviews of the oil online and see exactly what it is described to target. Everybody has different goals that they are looking to achieve with essential oils, and that could be general wellbeing all the way to creating all-natural cleaning products to live a chemical free lifestyle. Naturally, the more expensive varieties of oil can be relative to how rare that type of oil is, but it also may be down to the brand you are purchasing from.
Also, it’s important to know that if you live in a country/location where a type of essential oil is harder to source, that you may only have a limited option and it could be more expensive. This is why we recommend doing your research first, and also - if you live in Italy and have access to cheap bergamot fruit, you could even make your own essential oil at home!
Everybody’s skin, hair and body can react differently to essential oils, so it’s key to find what works for you personally, too!
Benefits of Bergamot Oil
Bergamot Oil is a popular citrus oil that originates from Italy, and is used in cooking, beauty, alternative medicine and part of ancient treatments that date back hundreds of years. It’s delicate but fragrant scent is commonly known to be used in perfumes, as well as the flavouring creating the unique taste of Earl Grey tea! It’s an oil that blends beautifully with others in your collection, and can also be used on its own.
So, what are the benefits of using Bergamot Oil?
Natural Antibacterial
To avoid infection on your skin and scalp, Bergamot Oil can be mixed with a carrier oil and used topically to eliminate bacteria. Please note that this can be used for some skin conditions such as eczema too but you must consult with a dermatologist first.
Non-chemical cleaner and personal hygiene
Its beautiful scent can be used as a natural deodorant, or to mix together with other natural products in the house (vinegar, hot water) to create a home cleaner.
Natural antioxidant
Bergamot Oil has antioxidant properties, and when inhaled can help the digestive system as well as stimulating the mind. This pushes out the toxins that can secrete in your bowel and make you feel energised and clear headed.
Relieves stress and anxiety
Like most essential oils on the market, Bergamot Oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and anxiety, and can calm the mind. You’ll notice that products that aid restful sleep will include essential oils such as bergamot, lavender and chamomile.
Improved complexion and skin health
With all of the aforementioned properties that Bergamot Oil contains, it’s no wonder that this works magic for a lot of people’s complexions. Mixed with carrier oils or used to create masks, your complexion can improve with just a few uses. Also, it's 100% natural, so you aren’t putting any nasties on your face!
These are just some of the benefits of using Bergamot Oil, so we picked our favourites. You’ll see that it pairs beautifully with other oils, but can also be used as a standalone oil as it can do so much just on its own!
Please note that benefits will differ from person to person, and if you are using Bergamot Oil for application on to your skin, scalp or as a natural deodorizer, to do a small patch test beforehand.
Uses of Bergamot Oil
Bergamot Oil originates in Italy, and has a beautiful, fragrant scent which makes it so distinct when used in aromatherapy or in beauty products. Commonly known for being used in Earl Grey tea, the Bergamot fruit resembles a lemon/lime, and is part of the citrus family. It is a staple for a lot of cultures because the whole fruit can be used - whether this is the juice/flesh in cooking, or the cold-pressed oil to create candles, moisturisers, household cleaners or hair products. It’s a versatile oil that works well on its own, but can also be layered with other essential oils should you wish to create your own unique blend.
So, what can you use Bergamot Oil for?
Aromatherapy
Bergamot Oil is popular in aromatherapy as it can be used as a standalone oil or mixed with others to provide different outcomes. For example, when mixed with Lavender Oil it can aid restful sleep, and when mixed with Basil it can act as a stress reliever. Where Bergamot Oil layers well with other essential oils in your collection, it can really enhance your aromatherapy experience.
Home-made beauty products
Whether it’s a body oil, natural deodorant, or facial toner - Bergamot Oil is popular to create home-made beauty products because the scent is refreshing and palatable due to it being a citrus oil, and it is also incredibly effective as a standalone oil. If you wish to mix with other oils, there are a ton of blends out there that can target specific issues such as acne-prone skin, or excessive dryness. You can also mix bergamot or another oil into a plain lip-balm to give it a fragrant lift, too!
Home-made household fresheners
Creating a home-made bergamot candle, or dropping some into an electric diffuser makes a beautiful home-made household air freshener. You can also soak cedarwood balls in Bergamot Oil and store them in your underwear drawers/closet to have fresh-smelling clothes all year round.
Surface cleaner
Like most essential oils, Bergamot Oil is effective if you want to make an anti-bacterial and non-chemical surface cleaner.
Fragrance
Putting a couple of drops on your wrist - and you have a long-lasting fragrance which will trump some of your high end perfumes.
Muscle aches and body pains
Mixed with a carrier oil and massaged into the area that is in pain will help to relieve those symptoms and loosen your muscles.
Blends well with
We hope you love these blends and that they work for you. As always, the Essentially Yours team loves hearing about the blends that you’ve tried at home, so feel free to contact us to submit them!
Jojoba Oil
This is a carrier oil that is suitable for all skin types, as the makeup of this oil is similar to the natural oils we find in our skin. This means even if you are acne-prone, you can use an oil to either moisturise or soothe your skin without excess buildup. It blends perfectly with Bergamot Oil and can be used as a moisturiser or to create a soothing rub for areas where you are feeling pain.
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Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is a multi-use oil, making it inexpensive if you consider how much you can use it for. Mixing Coconut Oil with Bergamot Oil can make the basis of a beautiful home made soap, moisturiser or cuticle/hand oil before bed. It can also be used to create an overnight hair mask.
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Almond Oil
This is another carrier oil that works beautifully with Bergamot Oil. It has a slightly thicker consistency meaning that this works well to create hair masks or scalp rubs that can be left overnight to work its magic! Bergamot Oil can stimulate hair growth, so combining this with an oil like Almond (rich in vitamins and nutrients for the hair) it’s a win-win!
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Geranium Oil
Bergamot and Geranium in our opinion are the yin and yang of essential oil combinations. Whether you combine these in an electric diffuser or create your own candle, the aromatics and spices of these two oils work perfectly.
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Lavender Oil
Packed with benefits, and universally known to go with most essential oils on the market, create a calming blend with Lavender Oil and Bergamot Oil.
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Patchouli Oil
One of the more luxurious oils, Patchouli and Bergamot pair well together to create a DIY perfume at a fraction of the price point. Most high-end perfumes will have Bergamot or Patchouli notes, so combining these with a little carrier oil and massaging into the wrists and neck work as your own high-end scent.
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Jasmine Oil
Bergamot and Jasmine are both equally as fragrant as each other, so combined you can really feel the benefits of these when used in aromatherapy or through diffusing them. Jasmine and Bergamot both help to alleviate stress and headaches, so using this blend before bend will work wonders.
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