Our signature Lime Vetiver fragrance blends 10 incredible essential oils to create notes that are rich with the heritage of India. Here we look in-depth at one of these - Bergamot - and discuss what it can do for you.
- Botanical Name Citrus Bergamia
- Aroma Citrusy orange /lemon with light floral tone
- Aromatic Note Top
- Uses Alleviates anxiety and depression, relieves stress, helps prevent acne
Did you know? Bergamot is defined as a hybrid between a sour orange and a lemon. The Calabria region of Italy now produces 90% of the global supply. The oil is taken from the peel of these knobbly fruits by cold-pressing techniques.
What is it used for? Medicinally, it is a true multi-tasker: Bergamot oil is antibacterial, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Bergamot oils the only citrus peel oil that contains up to 30% of the ester linalyl acetate, a sought after molecule for its wide range of psychological and pharmacological benefits.
Will I like it? Aromatically it is bright and refreshing with a tangy, sweet scent similar to orange. It is widely recognised as the aroma and flavour in one of our favourites, Earl Grey tea. Bergamot blends well with most other oils, including citrus oils, lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood. Emotionally, Bergamot’s sweet scent works to calm and relax and to brighten and uplift your mood. As a relaxant, it is a perfect pre-bedtime oil to promote calm and help you release pent up stress. It is often used in the winter months to help combat the blues and can help you feel inspired and motivated.
How can I use it? A Relax and De-stress Pillow Spray Recipe. Bergamot works wonders as a bedtime oil and you can use it in various ways – in bath salts, body butters and massage oils or diffusers in the room throughout the night.
- 8 drops of Bergamot essential oil
- 4 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 4 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil
- Lavender hydrosol
Put the essential oils into a 60ml glass spray bottle and swirl the bottle to combine. Top up the bottle with a lavender hydrosol and shake well, then spritz under your pillowcases and sheets a few minutes before bedtime. Zzzzzzz....
Treat yourself! If you like this oil then head over to Malavara and check out our Lime Vetiver range!
How can I make sure I am using Essential Oils safely?: an understanding of the use of Essential Oils is key. Most people will never experience a negative reaction to essential oils but it can happen and there is nothing we can do to guarantee 100% safety. We have highlighted some guidelines to follow to help minimize the risk in a separate blog, but if you are regularly making your own blends for yourself, your family and others it is worth investing a copy of the “Essential Oil Safety” by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young for a greater understanding across 400 oils and over 200 constituents
And another thing..Bergamot Essential Oil Safety Information: Bergamot is unlikely to irritate the skin, but cold-pressed it is extremely phototoxic. This means that you should not expose skin to sunlight for 12 hours after applying the oil to the skin. With the phototoxic component, bergaptene, removed, bergamot is extremely kind on the skin and often found in acne treatment. If you see Bergamot FCF or ‘bergapten-free’ that means the phototoxic components of the oil have been removed. Read Tisserand and Young's full profile (see below) on this oil for the full lowdown.
Want to find out more?
- “The Heart of Aromatherapy” by my teacher and founder of the Aromahead Institute, Andrea Butje
- “Essential Oil Safety” Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, 2nd edition 2014
- “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy” Valerie Ann Worwood
Disclaimer: before you make any recipe, check the shelf lives of your ingredients and any safety concerns for the essential oils. These blend suggestions are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition and should be used on the understanding that Malavara accepts no responsibility for any adverse reactions caused as a result of following these recipes
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