Benefits of Bergamot Orange Oil

Bergamot belongs to the citrus fruit plant family, small in size and resembles a pear. Bergamot is popular on account of its distinctive fragrance, the flowers blossom in the spring season. On account of its aromatic qualities it is used in grey tea, medicines and in aromatherapy. It is known for its herbal qualities and is one of the essential oils.

This essential oil has a-pinene, a-bergaptene, myrcene, b-bisabolene, linalyl acetate, nerol, limonene, linalool, neryl acetate, a-terpineol, geraniol and gernaiol acetate. The scent of the oil is fruity and sweet. It has a spicy floral quality and which resembles lavender oil and neroli. Pure bergamot color may range from green to greenish yellow. The oil has viscosity of water.

The essence is extracted from the skin of the sour fruit which is aromatic; it is used in earl grey, confectionary and grey teas. The bergamot peel is used in perfumes as it easily mingles with various combinations and produces the desired bouquet of aromas. About 1/3 of men’s perfume and ½ of females perfume constitutes with this essential oil.

In the 17th century bergamot was essential component in the eau de cologne. The bergamot peel is also used in treating depression; it acts as a digestive aid. Previously the psoralen that is removed from bergamot oil was used in sunscreens and tanning accelerators. Psoralen that is now used is basically for the treatment of certain skin ailments and conditions, especially in PUVA therapy. Oil from bergamot is believed to reduce the excitotoxic harm to the neuronal cells and hence it is widely used in neuro-protective properties.

Bergamot oil should be used with precaution as it can lead to burns on sensitive skin. This happens due to bergaptene which causes photo-toxicity. Among the therapeutic qualities it is used as analgesic, antibiotic, antiseptic, stomachic, anti-depressant, calmative, anti-spasmodic, febrifuge, vulnerary and vermifuge.