| Bergamot has been used for centuries for its mood | | | | depression...Bergamot helps us to relax and let go." |
| brightening effects. It's one of the essential oils that's | | | | Depression due to the stagnation of life-force energy |
| almost guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of of | | | | is often the result of accumulated stress and |
| your friends and family. It's easy to use, readily | | | | repressed emotions of grief, frustration or anger. A |
| available, and inexpensive, even for quality organic | | | | protective oil by nature, Bergamot is indicated |
| varieties. Bergamot is a real hit in the summer season, | | | | whenever the flow of natural energy is disrupted, |
| as it's sweet-tart aroma is cooling and refreshing. | | | | leading to imbalanced states such as irritability, anxiety, |
| Bergamot can be diffused, massaged, or worn as a | | | | and sleep disturbances. Bergamot encourages the |
| perfume; it blends nicely with other citrus oils to create | | | | release of repressed and inhibited feelings, thus helping |
| your own unique aroma. Here's a quick look at | | | | to release and decompress. The impressively bright |
| Bergamot's famous origins, and simple techniques to | | | | aroma belies its calming, centering, and clarifying nature; |
| get you started with this brilliant aromatic. | | | | it is able to bring cheer and sooth simultaneously. |
| Originating in tropical Asia, the Bergamot tree is now | | | | Bergamot is further indicated where anxiety and |
| widely grown in Italy, as well as the Ivory Coast, | | | | stress related symptoms present as a loss or change |
| Guinea, Morocco, and Corsica. Bergamot is named | | | | in appetite. Bergamot's antidepressant properties and |
| after the Italian city of Bergamo in Lombardy, where | | | | its regulatory effect on appetite offer assistance when |
| the essential oil was first sold for perfumery. The fruit | | | | used in cases of eating imbalances such as anorexia |
| is not edible as the pulp is too sour, resulting in the | | | | nervosa, emotional eating, and bulimia. A natural |
| Bergamot tree being primarily cultivated for its essential | | | | carminative, digestive aid and antispasmodic make |
| oils. It is one of the most popular essential oils used in | | | | Bergamot effective in instances of colic as well as |
| perfumery ' approximately one third of men's colognes | | | | helping to reduce and relieve flatulence. The essential |
| contain Bergamot, and nearly one half of women's | | | | oil can be used as a single note, or blended with |
| perfumes. Bergamot imparts the characteristic flavor | | | | companion aromas such as Chamomile, Coriander and |
| to Earl Grey tea, and is used as a flavoring agent in | | | | Fennel in a neutral base, applied using caring-tough |
| pastries, root-beer, chewing gum, and toothpastes. | | | | massage techniques. |
| Fresh Bergamot essential oil has nearly 300 | | | | That Bergamot essential oil has found its way into our |
| compounds: mainly linalyl acetate (30-60 %), linaool | | | | lives in forms that we inhale, splash on ourselves, and |
| (11-22%) and other alcohols, sequiterpenes, terpenes, | | | | even eat is no mistake. Humans have certainly |
| alkalines, and furocoumarins (including bergapten | | | | developed a fondness for its brilliant touch to the |
| 0.30-0.39%). Certain furocourmarins, notably bergapten, | | | | olfactory and gustatory senses. Its most most |
| have been found to be photosensitizing (causing an | | | | important and enticing application may be that of the |
| increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays), hence | | | | natural mood-enhancer; the yellow-green color of the |
| Bergamot should not be heavily used on skin that will | | | | oil hints to its affinity to the heart and solar plexus |
| be significantly exposed to sunlight in the following 72 | | | | chakras, where many of us are challenged to remain |
| hours. A 'bergapten-free' partially-refined variety is | | | | open in our daily routines. It is the opening of the heart |
| available, and is an excellent choice for massage and | | | | and a fluid allowing of the emotions that lies at the |
| skin care formulas. | | | | center of our healing journeys. Using Bergamot through |
| Bergamot is an excellent antiseptic for use in cases of | | | | all primary aromatherapy techniques can assist in this |
| acne, oily skin, and infected skin. As a natural toner and | | | | process, opening us to freedom and joys in our |
| detoxifier, Bergamot may help to prevent premature | | | | everyday lives. |
| aging of the dermis. Bergamot oil is noted to have a | | | | Bergamot essential oil blends well with Chamomile, |
| slightly irritating effect on the skin in high concentrations, | | | | Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Neroli, |
| but the opposite healing effects occur when the oil is | | | | Tangerine, and Ylang Ylang essential oils. It can be |
| used at low concentrations (1% or less in carrier oil). | | | | used through any primary aromatherapy technique, |
| Bergamot's general deodorizing effects derive from its | | | | such as adding a few drops to a bath, mixing in a |
| antiseptic properties, which are also effective against | | | | massage formula, or simple inhalation. |
| bladder and urinary infections. Adding 3- 4 drops of | | | | Here are a few formulas employing the dramatic |
| Bergamot to warm water bath can help bring relief to | | | | antidepressant and emotional-releasing properties using |
| the early stages of urinary tract infections. | | | | some of these companion oils: To release aggravation |
| Bergamot essential oil is foremost a miraculous | | | | and pressure ' 2 parts Roman Chamomile, 2 parts |
| neuro-tonic, and a powerful helper against depression | | | | Bergamot and 2 parts Sweet Orange. To overcome |
| caused by fatigue or unreleased tensions and | | | | nervousness and agitation ' 3 parts Lavender, 2 parts |
| frustrations. Aromatherapy massage - using a | | | | Neroli and 1 part Bergamot. When frustrated and |
| massage oil with a low concentration of essential oil | | | | negative ' 3 parts Bergamot, 2 parts Sweet Orange |
| and any healing massage technique - is exceptionally | | | | and 1 part Neroli. To enhance relaxation and |
| effective for any stress induced disease. As noted by | | | | self-confidence ' 2 parts Lavender and 1 part |
| author and aromatherapist Gabriel Mojay, "Bergamot | | | | Bergamot. |
| oil's psychological action depends on its ability to | | | | These blends may be used in a diffuser, or diluted to |
| disperse stagnant Chi (life-force energy). This condition | | | | 3% total concentration in one or more carrier oils for a |
| can manifest as tension, irritability, and frustration, and if | | | | wonderful aromatherapy massage. |
| never released or processed, can eventually lead to | | | | |