Saturday 4 July 2015

Bergamot Oil ❧


Bergamot oil is a cold-pressed essential oil produced by cells inside the rind of a bergamot orange fruit. It is common in perfumes. Earl Grey tea is a type of black tea that contains bergamot essential oil as a flavoring.

Bergamot oil is a major component of the original Eau de Cologne composed by Farina at the beginning of 18th-century Germany. The first record of bergamot oil as fragrance ingredient is 1714, to be found in the Farina Archive in Cologne. One hundred bergamot oranges will yield about three ounces (85 grams) of bergamot oil. The scent of bergamot essential oil is similar to a sweet light orange peel oil with a floral note.

The slow-folding process (sfumatura) was the traditional technique for manually extracting the bergamot oil. A clear liquid (sometimes with a deposit consisting of waxes) in color from green to greenish yellow. Chemically it is a highly complex mixture of many classes of organic substances, particularly for the volatile fraction terpenes, esters, alcohols and aldehydes, and for the non-volatile fraction, oxygenated heterocyclic compounds as coumarins and furanocoumarins. Linalyl acetate and linalool are qualitatively the most important components of the bergamot oil.

BERGAMOT OIL USES

Bergamot oil is widely used in cosmetics such as perfumes, lotions, suntan oils, and soaps and as a flavoring in foods. It has beneficial active chemicals, which are effectively used in a bath or as an inhalant to help reduce stress; or applied topically to soothe pain, insect bites and treat fungal infections and other skin irritants. It can also be ingested to reduce fever. It has been used as an insecticide to protect the body against lice and other parasites. Inhalation (aromatherapy) of bergamot oil is sometimes used to reduce anxiety during radiation treatment.

Bergamot oil blends well with sage, frankincense, jasmine, cypress, geranium, lavender, nutmeg, sandalwood, rosemary, and ylang-ylang oils, and is complementary with other citrus oils.




Age Spots & Acne Scars - Applying bergamot oil to the skin can diminish age spots and scars, and other skin disorders, such as acne, by distributing pigment and melanin uniformly. Apply directly to the discolored area(s) at bedtime, leaving it on the skin overnight, and washing it off in the morning.

Anxiety & Depression - Bergamot oil is powerful on neurological and mental conditions. Used in vapor therapy, bergamot oil’s stimulating properties provide relief from stress by improving blood circulation and stimulating hormonal secretions, boosting the digestive and respiratory systems.

Cholesterol - Bergamot oil carries polyphenols which possess statin-like principles. It scrapes off excess cholesterol and dramatically improves overall health of the cardiovascular system.

Deodorant - Bergamot essential oil’s refreshing aroma and disinfectant properties make it an excellent and effective deodorant. The antibiotic and disinfectant components of bergamot oil effectively prevent skin infections (inhibiting growth of virus, germs, and fungi), if used regularly in a bath or in soaps.

The powerful citrus aroma can overcome or eliminate many odors, making it a great room freshener in a diffuser or as a spray.

Digestion - Enhances and quickens the digestive functions by stimulating the digestive acids and enzymes. Also, eases hiccups, colic, constipation and flatulence. For treatment of gas, indigestion, and flatulence, use bergamot oil, mixed with chamomile oil, to massage the abdominal area.

Fever - Bergamot oil works as an antibiotic to reduce fever, lower body temperature, and fight infection from viruses and bacteria, such as flu and malaria. It also reduces toxicity of the body through perspiration, cleaning out glands of any foreign toxins that can result in a variety of skin conditions.




Headaches/Migraines - Diffuse aromatically to relieve pain or massage into the temples, and/or base of neck. It is also useful on muscle aches and sprains when massaged on the affected area.

Insecticide - Bergamot oil is used as a natural mosquito and black fly repellant, and works well as a salve for insect bites.

The bergamot plant, whose roots have a potent odor, is grown as a companion crop near vegetable gardens to repel pests.

Insomnia - The sedative properties of bergamot oil release serotonin, which is then converted into melatonin, helping to sooth and calm, relieving tension and anxiety to induce sleep.

Intestinal & Oral - The bacterial effects of bergamot oil can also be used as a mouthwash to kill oral germs, speeding up the healing process for cold sores, mouth ulcers, and herpes (cankers), or applied on infected teeth to protect teeth from development of cavities. Bergamot oil has similar antibacterial effects on shingles and chickenpox, which are caused by the herpes virus. It is also effective for curing infections in the colon, intestines (kills intestinal worms), urinary tract and kidneys.

Muscle Pain - As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, bergamot oil relaxes nerves and muscles, giving quick relief for cramps, convulsions, and painful contractions. There is also evidence that it assists circulation and aids muscular tension.

Respiratory - Bergamot oil can also be used as a tonic to tone the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and nervous system, as well as skin and muscles. As a decongestant, it is used in a vaporizer to loosen phlegm and mucus brought on by colds and respiratory infections.

Skin Irritants - The disinfectant and antibiotic properties of bergamot oil make it a good antiseptic, promoting fast healing of wounds; cracked, dry skin and heels; ulcers; eczema; and itching. It not only treats and heals, but inhibits reoccurring infection. Simply use a few drops of bergamot oil diluted in olive oil, massaging around the affected area, or soak in a bath for immediate relief.




Urinary infections - Bergamot oil can produce positive results against bacteria such as urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis. Add bergamot oil to a sitz bath to help prevent the spread of bacterial infections from the urethra into the bladder.

SIDE EFFECTS

The use of bergamot oil is generally safe; however, one should always take precautions when using essential oils. Before adding any new elements into your health regimen, it is advisable to speak to a health professional about mixing essential oils with any present medications or conditions.

Bergamot oil has several active chemicals that, when used topically, can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. When bergamot oil is used along with medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight, could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering or rashes on exposed skin. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.

As with other essential oils, bergamot oil should not be taken during pregnancy or while breast feeding. Bergamot may lower blood sugar levels, affecting people with diabetes.

Bergamot oil is possibly unsafe for children ingested in large amounts, with serious side effects, including convulsion and death.

Taking bergamot oil orally is also not advisable for individuals with existing potassium deficiency, depleting potassium stores in the body causing muscle cramps and twitching.



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