Bergamot essential oil | Citrus aurantium bergamia

Traditional use: Earl Grey is one of the most popular types of tea, named after the British aristocrat Charles Grey. As legend has it, he reportedly received tea leaves with the addition of bergamot as a gift from the Chinese emperor. The infusion was definitely to his liking, so the tradition of enriching tea with bergamot oil was quickly spread and is still cultivated to this day. Besides a wonderful taste, bergamot also has a number of health-promoting properties that make it popular in herbal medicine. The essential oil extracted from the fruit of this plant has a distinct, fresh, citrus fragrance. It is perfect for aromatherapy, as it introduces a pleasant atmosphere full of blissful relaxation. It helps to maintain a good mood and relieves nervous tension. It also has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, as it contributes to lowering blood pressure and regulates cholesterol levels, promoting its “good” HDL fraction. Traditionally, bergamot oil is used for digestive ailments. It provides valuable support in case of constipation, but also speeds up digestion. Moreover, it protects the intestines from pathogenic microorganisms. And since we’re talking about immunity, it’s worth noting that this oil stimulates natural immune reactions triggered in response to infections. In addition, it alleviates the symptoms of a cold by facilitating cleaning of the upper respiratory tract. At the same time, it exhibits antiseptic effects and because of that it has been traditionally used to clean wounds and stimulate their recovery. Bergamot oil is therefore a comprehensive support for vitality and mental comfort.

Occurrence: Bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia), popularly known as bergamot, is a small evergreen tree that grows to a height of nearly 5 meters. The most distinctive feature of this plant are certainly the fruits, which in appearance resemble a lime or lemon. They have a yellow-green, undulating skin, while their taste is usually bitter and sour. The oil obtained from them has a unique aroma, which is most often associated with Earl Grey tea and cosmetics. Bergamot most likely originated in India, while it is now grown almost exclusively in Italy.

Biochemistry: In terms of chemistry, bergamot essential oil is a complex mixture of many organic substances, mainly terpenes, esters, alcohols and aldehydes, including primarily: limonene, linalyl acetate, linalool, gamma-terpinene and beta-pinene. Oxidative heterocyclic compounds such as coumarins and furanocoumarins can also be found in the oil.

The essential oil available in our offer is cold-pressed from the fresh, green peels of bergamot fruit grown on the southern coast of Italy. Thanks to that, each drop contains an optimal concentration of active ingredients and a unique aroma.

Fun fact: The name of bergamot comes from the Italian word “bergamotto”. It is most likely a reference to the name of the Italian city of Bergamo, where Citrus bergamia was commonly grown. There is also a hypothesis according to which the name of this plant comes from the phrase “beg armudu” from the Ottoman language, which can be translated as “prince’s pear.”