And we thought Christopher Columbus is only famous for discovering America. He also needs a little applause for this one. For it was he, who took the bergamot tree from his home in the Canary Islands, and transported it to Italy. Because of this, bergamot has been cultivated in Italy ever since.

Bergamot oil is made from the inedible, bitter green, pear shaped citrus fruit of the bergamot tree. The peel of the fruit is cold pressed, which releases the pale emerald green oil. The oil has a light, delicate, citrusy and floral scent and has many uses.

The therapeutic properties of bergamot pure essential oil are euphoric, antiseptic, cooling, and a tonic to the digestive system. The main constituents in bergamot essential oil are limonene, linalyl acetate, nerol, and linalool. All of these substances are antiseptic and astringent. This allows bergamot essential oil to help with many conditions.

One of the conditions bergamot pure essential oil helps with is acne and eczema. You can use the oil in a facial steam bath, which will help cleanse and heal the face. It is fairly easy to make a steam bath. Just apply a few drops of bergamot oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Drape a towel over your head and shoulders, and lean over the bowl. Breathe deeply for 10-15 minutes with eyes closed. CAUTION: Do not use steam bath if you have broken facial capillaries.

Another condition bergamot is known to assist with is cystitis and pruritis. Cystitis is one of the most common urinary track infections and is most commonly caused by the E. Coli bacteria becoming embedded in the bladder lining, thereby causing irritation. Pruritus is a manifestation of dermatologic diseases. To help cope with either of these, add 4-5 drops of bergamot oil to a warm bath. Bathe with the oil once a day until the condition disappears.

Now, bergamot essential oil can also be used for emotional stress: There are 2 basic blends for tension and stress: bergamot and orange pure essential oil, and bergamot and clary-sage pure essential oil. To prepare either one, mix 3 drops of each oil in bathwater when bath is full.

You can also throw away your headache medicine. Bergamot pure essential oil has been noted for headache relief. All you need to do is mix bergamot oil with a carrier oil, such as safflower oil, and rub into your temples and the back of your neck. A few drops will be enough to get rid of the headache, especially if it is tension related.

This is one I have read about but I am not sure if it works. Bergamot oil has also been used as a mosquito repellent. It is said to put the oil on a rag, cloth, or cotton ball and put it in your pocket, and it will naturally keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Safety Conditions

Bergamot is from the citrus family. It contains furo-coumarin, which makes it photosensitive. If you decide to use this on your skin, make sure not to go out in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours (some say 3 hours is long enough, but I recommend 6 hours). This will prevent the brownish spots from appearing on your skin. Also, if using for massage oil, ensure it is diluted with no more than twenty drops of bergamot oil to 4 oz of carrier oil, such as safflower oil.

As you can see, bergamot pure essential oil is excellent antiseptic oil. It has been used for many conditions, from acne to headaches to cystitis. And thanks to Christopher Columbus, as he has allowed the rest of us to find out and use this excellent essential oil to make our lives more natural and healthy.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Aromatherapy
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