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Psicología del Amor

Bergamot essential oil: all its uses and properties

Surely you have heard of bergamot essential oil on some occasion, especially if you like earl gray teawhich is flavored with bergamot, or if you like perfumes with citrus notes.

Here we will tell you what bergamot is, where it is obtained from essential oilwhat are its health properties and how to use it in different situationsfor example in case of apathy or anxiety, for hair care or even to make your own natural perfume or flavor your teas and infusions.

What is bergamot

Like most citrus fruits, bergamot (​Citrus bergamia) is most likely native to Asia. Today, however, the bergamoto It is mainly grown in Italymostly to extract its precious essential oil. Bergamot essential oil is widely used in perfumery, but it is also very valuable in aromatherapy for its health properties.

For flavor infusions and teas Bergamot bark is mainly used, although it is also known for its therapeutic properties, such as controlling blood cholesterol levels.

Bergamot essential oil It is extracted from the peel of the fruit. Its peculiar and sparkling citrus aroma is very attractive, even irresistible and addictive. Expert noses will appreciate subtle nuances when smelling it, but anyone can enjoy its freshness and lightness.

Properties of bergamot oil

The essence of bergamot very quickly produces a pleasant and comforting feeling in our being. It is considered to be an ideal essential oil for activate the energy of the solar plexus and relax the nervous system.

The aroma of bergamot arouses enthusiasm, pushes us to move and motivates us. It is wonderful for warding off negative emotions and feelings. It is, without a doubt, a fantastic antidote to bad mood.

Regarding its therapeutic properties, the most notable are its relaxing, anxiolytic and antidepressant propertiesbut they are not the only ones. Let’s see them all:

  • Relaxing and antidepressant: The essence of bergamot is the great ally of the nervous system in case of stress. According to a clinical trial, the aroma of bergamot promotes well-being in just 15 minutes. It produces positive feelings, well-being and promotes mental health.
  • Antibacterial: It also offers us interesting antiseptic and antibacterial properties that we can take advantage of by using it. in diffusion.
  • Analgesic: Recent scientific studies have shown that it has interesting anti-pain properties, such as this 2016 study on the ability of some compounds present in bergamot essential oil to reduce the perception of different types of pain, this other 2019 study in which its effectiveness in relieving pain associated with dementia was proven.

When and how to use bergamot

Bergamot essential oil will be very useful in the following situations:

For apathy and lack of motivation

Bergamot essence can be a good option if you feel unmotivated, without much encouragement or with little desire to do anything. This is because, as we have seen before, it is a very useful essential oil to help change your mental state and feel more cheerful.

How to use bergamot essential oil in this case:

  1. Put a few drops of bergamot essential oil in your diffuser and diffuse it throughout the day.
  2. As a complement, prepare an inhaler by placing about 10 drops in it. Then you have to take the time to breathe deeply 5 times in a row at least 5 times a day.

As a remedy for anxiety

The essence of bergamot has a very interesting composition that combines molecules known for their anxiolytic properties: limonene and linalool, which influence dopamine and GABA levels.

When you start to feel anxious, take 2 drops of bergamot essence with a little olive oil 3 times a day for two weeks.

If you take bergamot essential oil this way, You will also notice that you sleep better.

Avoid taking it along with other medications.

To prevent colds and flu

As we have seen, bergamot essential oil has antiseptic properties. You can regularly use the essence in a diffuser to promote a pathogen-free environment both at home and at work.

Bergamot for hair

Bergamot essence is very useful for cleansing the scalp and regulating oil, making it especially useful for oily hair. It can be used in different ways:

  • Add 1 drop of bergamot essence to the shampoo dose, apply and leave on for a couple of minutes before rinsing.
  • Prepare a spray with apple cider vinegar to spray on your hair once rinsed. To do this, in a 200 ml bottle with a spray bottle, put 50 ml of vinegar, 30 drops of bergamot essence and complete with mineral water. Shake before use. Hair will shine and look clean for longer.

Like perfume in a roll-on

There is a distilled version of bergamot bark. He bergamot essential oil without furocoumarins (phototoxic molecules) is the safest option if you are in love with the aroma of bergamot and want to use it as a perfume.

  1. Make sure on the label is clearly indicated “without furocoumarins”.
  2. In a 10 ml roll-on, Add 30 drops of bergamot essential oil without furocoumarins. Complete with jojoba oil.
  3. Apply to your wrists, behind your ears and on your neck and enjoy this great 100% natural perfume And also therapeutic!

To flavor tea and make your own «Earl Grey»

You can choose a loose tea that you like: green tea or black tea are perfect. To aromatize them, the procedure is very simple:

  1. Place 50 grams of tea in a glass jar.
  2. Duck 5 drops of bergamot essence.
  3. Shake the bottle well so that the aroma is distributed.
  4. Wait a few 3 or 4 days before enjoying an “Earl Grey” tea to your liking

Precautions and contraindications

Bergamot essence is phototoxicThat is, in contact with sunlight, skin to which the pure or diluted essence has been applied can cause a significant burn. Therefore, Should not be used on skin if it is exposed to sunlight.

The best is reserve its use for the olfactory route or on occasion orally.

It can be used olfactorily and orally during pregnancy and lactation. It is also suitable for olfactory use in babies and children.

If we are interested in preparing a perfume, then we will choose your version without furocoumarins available for sale.

Scientific references

  • Han X, Gibson J, Eggett DL, Parker TL. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Essential Oil Inhalation Improves Positive Feelings in the Waiting Room of a Mental Health Treatment Center: A Pilot Study. Phytother Res. 2017 May;31(5):812-816.
  • Scuteri D, Rombolá L, Tridico L, Mizoguchi H, Watanabe C, Sakurada T, Sakurada S, Corasaniti MT, Bagetta G, Morrone LA. Neuropharmacological Properties of the Essential Oil of Bergamot for the Clinical Management of Pain-Related BPSDs. Curr Med Chem. 2019;26(20):3764-3774.
  • Rombolà L, Amantea D, Russo R, Adornetto A, Berliocchi L, Tridico L, Corasaniti MT, Sakurada S, Sakurada T, Bagetta G, Morrone LA. Rational Basis for the Use of Bergamot Essential Oil in Complementary Medicine to Treat Chronic Pain.Mini Rev Med Chem. 2016;16(9):721-8.
  • Song Y, Seo S, Lamichhane S, Seo J, Hong JT, Cha HJ, Yun J. Limonene has anti-anxiety activity via adenosine A2A receptor-mediated regulation of dopaminergic and GABAergic neuronal function in the striatum. Phytomedicine. 2021 Mar;83:153474.
  • Harada H, Kashiwadani H, Kanmura Y, Kuwaki T. Linalool Odor-Induced Anxiolytic Effects in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci. 2018 Oct 23;12:241.
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