Columbus Discovered Bergamot Oil
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.