Bergamot
Latin Name
Figure 1: Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia. Image by Dorene Petersen. © 2014
Citrus aurantium (L.) var. bergamia or Citrus bergamia (Risso)[1]
Family
Rutaceae
Common Names
Bergamot, bergamot orange, bergamota, bergamotier, bergamoto, bergamotte, bergamotto bigarade orange, and oleum bergamotte
Do not confuse bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil with the essential oils derived from bitter orange Citrus aurantium(L.) (also called petitgrain) or sweet orange C. sinensis.
Also, do not confuse it with the herb called wild bergamot Monarda spp., a tall perennial with a spiked floret of red or purple flowers. This herb is also known by the name bergamot, but it does not yield an essential oil.
Sources
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil is obtained from the peel of the fruit, or from the whole fruit. It is grown near the Mediterranean, including Southern Italy, Sicily, and Spain. It is also grown and produced in Brazil.
Images
Note: This image set is dynamically generated from photos uploaded to flickr tagged with the Latin binomial. This list is dynamic, so the images change as new images are uploaded. While most of the photos are likely to be of this botanical, there is also a good chance that some of them have been mislabeled by flickr users. This is an authentic and valuable opportunity to enhance your critical thinking and identification skills as there are many “look a likes” in nature and out in the digital ‘wild’ of flickr.
History
The oil of the bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia has a long history of use as an essential ingredient in potpourri, body powders, and perfumes. Christopher Columbus originally discovered it in the Canary Islands. By the 16th century, it was popular throughout Europe and has been mentioned in a number of old herbal texts. In Italian folk tradition, it is a remedy for fever and infection.
Parts Used
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil is obtained from the peel of the inedible fruit by a method known as expression.
Bitter orange oil C. aurantium (or petitgrain) is obtained from the leaf and twigs.
Though it is not very common, it is sometimes used to adulterate neroli essential oil distilled from the flowers of C. aurantium var. amara.
Cultivation
Citrus trees thrive in a warm climate and require well-drained, well-aerated, and moderately fertile soil. Bergamot trees are grafted on stubs of bitter orange. The fruit of this variety is inedible and is about the size of a big orange, but it is lemon shaped. The tree is easily damaged by frost. It bears fruit when it is approximately six to seven years old. If it is grown in hot, dry summers, the ester content is increased and higher quality oil is produced. (An ester is a chemical constituent of essential oils that helps to produce a potent aroma.)
Harvesting & Production
The fruit is allowed to dry and harden before processing. It is then placed in a trough, which is lined with sharp projections long enough to pierce the oil glands in the outer portion of the peel. A fine spray of water washes the oil from the mashed peel while the juice is removed by rotating it at a very high speed. This same process is repeated with the peel only. The oil is separated using a seperatory funnel or an industrial application using a similar technology.
Characteristics
Open your sample of bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia. See if you can identify the following. Note your own experience of the aroma, color, and feel in your notebook.
Active Constituents
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil contains:
Up to 50% limonene (approximately): A common terpene found in many oils, including: Citrus, peppermint ×piperita, caraway Carum carvi (L.), pine P. sylvestris, cardamom Eletteria cardamomum (L.), coriander C. sativum, and juniper J. communis. Terpenes are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal.
Up to 40% linalyl acetate (approximately): An ester and anti-inflammatory, and a main constituent of lavender oil. The percentage of the ester linalyl acetate determines the quality of the oil. Esters are antifungal, antimicrobial, and sedative.
Up to 20% linalool (approximately): A monoterpenol with antibacterial, antifungal, vasoconstrictive, and toning properties.
Bergaptene: A terpene that is a skin irritant. Terpenes are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal. Bergamot is also available with the color and bergaptene removed. (Bergaptene is the constituent that causes skin photosensitivity.) Though it is not necessary to remove the color to remove the bergaptene, many cosmetic manufacturers do not like the green tinge the oil imparts to preparations. Much of bergamot oil available is bergaptene-free because of this potential irritation. If you see it listed as Bergamot BF or Bergamot FCC, it is bergaptene-free. For holistic aromatherapy purposes, it is preferable to have the bergaptene and color present, but use caution with topical application.
A range of constituents in smaller quantities.
Storage
Storage is very important, as citrus oils can oxidize quickly and spoil. Store in the refrigerator in a dark, airtight glass bottle.
Therapeutic Uses
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil may provide support for: Abdominal cramping, abscesses, acne, anger, anxiety, bad breath, boils, sinus and head congestion, cramps, cystitis, depression, emotional imbalances, fear, frustration, halitosis, herpes (mouth), indigestion, infection, inflammation, insect bites, insect repellent, loss of appetite, mouth infections, oily skin, scabies, shingles, skin infections, slow circulation, sore throat, stings, ulcers (skin), varicose veins, and wounds.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia is useful for several skin issues (such as abscesses, acne, and shingles) because of its analgesic[2] and vulnerary actions. Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia is also an insecticide (it can be used to destroy insects) and an insect repellent (which can help to prevent future insect bites). Mix five drops of essential oil with one ounce of base oil and apply.
For herpes, blend bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia with eucalyptus E. globulus and geranium P. graveolens for optimal effect. For herpes of the mouth, apply with a cotton ball directly. Gargle with two drops in one-half cup of warm water for a sore throat.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil’s astringent action makes it useful for oily skin and varicose veins. Use a cold compress (see the Formulas section) or add two drops to a warm bath.
It is also stimulating and rubefacient, increasing circulation and bringing increased blood flow to the skin. These therapeutic actions make it helpful for slow circulation. Add five drops to one ounce of base oil and apply.
Further, bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia has an antidepressant action. Note that this action is historical and anecdotal, and has not been proven in large studies. However, a recent study with 58 hospice patients was able to demonstrate bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil’s antidepressant and analgesic actions. The hospice patients were given hand massages once a day for one week with an essential oil blend in 1.5% dilution with sweet almond oil. The essential oil blend consisted of bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia, frankincense Boswellia carterii (Birdw.), and lavender L. angustifolia essential oils in equal ratios. All patients receiving the aromatherapy hand massage reported less pain and depression[3]. For depression, bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia can also be blended with rose attar R. damascena and sandalwood S. album. Add three drops to a full bath.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia is considered one of the most effective oils for mental, emotional, and psychological problems. A study with 36 female high school students showed inhaling bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil daily helped with stress management when compared to inhaling a non-scented vegetable oil[4].
Another study with schoolteachers also showed daily inhalation of bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil helped with lowering anxiety[5]. Researchers even demonstrated in an animal study with mice that bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil’s anxiety relieving properties can be as strong as diazepam (valium)[6]. However, in this animal study, mice received injections of bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil and this does not mimic standard aromatherapy protocols of inhalation or topical application. Add two drops bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil to a warm bath or mix five drops with one ounce of base oil and apply.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia is antibacterial (destroys or suppresses the growth or reproduction of bacteria) and antiseptic (prevents, resists, and counteracts decay)[7]. It can be dispersed in air, greatly reducing the presence of micro-organisms and is anti-inflammatory (capable of counteracting or suppressing inflammation). All of these actions make it very helpful for use with infections. It is also useful for colds, flu, and coughs because of its expectorant action (encourages the discharge of mucus from bronchio-pulmonary passages). For sinus and head congestion, use one to two drops on a tissue and inhale.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia is useful for indigestion due to its digestive (aids in the digestion of food), carminative (stimulates intestinal peristalsis, relieves and promotes the expulsion of gas from the gastrointestinal tract), and antispasmodic (relieves nervous irritability and reduces or prevents excessive involuntary muscular contractions and spasms) actions. For indigestion, gas, or abdominal cramping, add one drop to one teaspoon of base oil and massage the stomach area clockwise.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil’s aperitive (stimulates the appetite) action makes it helpful for loss of appetite. Try adding two drops to a warm bath.
In addition, bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia essential oil’s deodorant action, along with its antibacterial action, make it helpful for halitosis, or bad breath. Put one drop in one-half glass of warm water. Stir rapidly, and then use to rinse the mouth.
Household Uses
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil is added to Earl Grey tea, giving it its characteristic flavor. Hard candy is flavored with bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia for its sweet and fruity, yet refreshing flavor. It is also used to fragrance tobaccos, especially pipe tobaccos and potpourri.
In commercial foods, bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil is widely used as a citrus flavoring agent, including up to 0.02% in gelatins and puddings.
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil that is bergaptene-free is used in cosmetics manufacturing (up to 3% in perfumes and 0.25% in creams and lotions), in soaps, and suntan oils.
Other household and culinary uses include:
Bathroom cleaner, room spray, or surface cleaner: Use two to three drops undiluted on a damp cleaning cloth to wipe surfaces; add five drops to two cups of white vinegar to make a surface cleaner; or make a paste with one-half cup of baking soda (add enough water to form a paste, and then add eight drops of bergamot) and use to clean bathroom surfaces.
Carpet cleaner: Add eight drops of oil to one-half cup baking soda. Sprinkle on carpet: Wait 10 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.
Clothes dryer: Add two drops to a small cloth and add to dryer.
Washing machine: Add two to five drops with softener or in the final rinse.
Refrigerator: Put one drop on a wet cloth, and then wipe down surfaces to deodorize your refrigerator.
Dishwashing liquid: Because it is an antibacterial (also called a bactericide), bergamot is useful added to dishwashing liquid: Add eight drops to a bottle of dishwashing liquid and shake before use.
Perfumery
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia is an important and classic perfume material. It gives a delicate top note, along with strength and body, to a fragrance blend.
Unlike most citrus oils, it does have a certain fixative effect when used in high concentrations. It imparts a refreshing characteristic eau de cologne fragrance. The fresh citrus fragrance has an uplifting effect on the mind.
Oils that blend well with bergamot include:
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia blends well with chamomile Roman C. nobile, coriander C. sativum, cypress C. sempervirens, geranium P. graveolens, jasmine J. grandiflorum, juniper J. communis, lavender L. angustifolia, lemon C. limonum, neroli C. aurantium var. amara, rose attar R. damascena, sandalwood S. album, and violet Viola odorata (L.).
Cautions and Contraindications
Bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil has Generally Recognized as Safe status (GRAS) for use in foods in the U.S.[8], which means it is likely safe when consumed orally in amounts commonly found in foods.
Care should be taken with topical application, because of the bergaptene content it can cause abnormal skin pigmentation when skin is exposed to sunlight or sunbed, and it may even lead to malignant changes in the skin[9][10]. This action is intensified if the bergamot C.aurantium var. bergamia is blended with alcohol. The quantity of bergamot essential oil in a finished product intended for topical use should be 0.4%. If you do use a product that contains bergamot essential oil and it is not bergaptene-free, wait for at least 12 hours before exposing skin to the sun or using a tanning bed[11]. Note, the bergamot in your Essential Oil Kit includes bergaptene, so use care when applying externally.
Some authors recommend avoiding bergamot during pregnancy and nursing. However, Tisserand concludes that it can be used during pregnancy due to the low toxicity of limonene and linalool[12]. He also states there is a suggestion that (+)- limonene crosses the placenta, and that it may have beneficial effects on fetal health, for example in smokers[13].
We recommend caution. While many things cross the placental barrier, if it is not essential to use bergamot essential oil during pregnancy why risk exposing a baby to another substance since the effects are not truly known.
As with all essential oils, bergamot C. aurantium var. bergamia oil is likely unsafe when ingested by children in large amounts[14].
Do not use at the same time as photosensitizing drugs, because the bergaptene content can compound photosensitizing effects and increase the risk of side effects[15].
Formulas
Indigestion/Loss of Appetite Rub
Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil: 5 drops
Chamomile Roman Chamaemelum nobile oil: 3 drops
Ginger Zingiber officinale oil: 3 drops
Sweet almond oil: 1 ounce
Blend oils, then massage the stomach and intestinal areas in a clockwise direction using small, circular movements.
Varicose Veins Rub
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia oil: 10 drops
Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil: 5 drops
Ginger Zingiber officinale oil: 4 drops
Sweet almond oil: 2 ounces
Blend the oils and massage gently into veins, avoiding bruised or swollen areas.
Compress for Varicose Veins
Ginger Zingiber officinale oil: 6 drops
Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil: 5 drops
Lemon Citrus limonum oil: 5 drops
Filtered water: 1 cup
Mix the oils into boiled water that has cooled to room temperature. Wring out a square of soft cotton in the mixture and place over affected area. Leave compress on for at least 15 minutes, and then replace.
Body Powder
This body powder is a good alternative to commercial powders. (These usually contain talc or French chalk, which is finely ground magnesium silicate and can cause lung problems with prolonged inhalation. The chemical composition is similar to asbestos, a known carcinogen and lung irritant.) The cornstarch deodorizes, absorbs, and draws out moisture. You can replace bergamot with any essential oil or a blend of your choice.
Comfrey Symphytum officinale root powder (optional): 1¼ cup
White clay: 1 cup
Corn starch or arrowroot powder: 1 cup
Slippery elm Ulmus fulva powder (optional): ¼ cup
Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil: 8 to 15 drops
Mix the powders. Sprinkle the essential oil over the powder and mix. To begin with, the scent should be stronger than you would prefer; it will reduce as it dries out. Sift[16] the powders two or three times to ensure they are fine and free of lumps. It can be placed in body powder tubes with a shaker top. Check that it sprinkles freely from the container. If it has too much clay, it will not flow freely.
Notes and References
[1] According to Nemeth, M. & Michele Potter. (Eds.). (1989). The Citrus Industry (revised edition). CA: University of California Board of Regents: “While the distinctive fruit of the bergamot (bergamotto of Italy, bergamote of France) is sometimes referred to as an orange, its resemblances to the oranges are so remote or lacking that it seems best to employ the European usage. Both the origin of the name and its significance are obscure. It appears to be a hybrid of the sour orange, however, for which reason it has commonly been regarded as a botanical variety of C. aurantium L. Since the differences are numerous and marked and a wide degree of variation is exhibited, separate species standing seems to be justified.” (See: http://lib.ucr.edu/agnic/webber/Vol1/Chapter4.html)
[2] Sakurada, T., Mizoguchi, H., Kuwahata, H., Katsuyama, S., Komatsu, T., Morrone, L.A., et. al. (2010). Intraplantar injection of bergamot essential oil induces peripheral antinociception mediated by opioid mechanism. Pharmacol Biochem Behav., 97(3):436-43.
[3] Chang, S.Y. (2008). Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi., 38(4):493-502.
[4] Seo, J.Y. (2009). The effects of aromatherapy on stress and stress responses in adolescents. J Korean Acad Nurs., 39(3):357-65.
[5] Chang, K.M. & Shen, C.W. (2011). Aromatherapy benefits autonomic nervous system regulation for elementary school faculty in Taiwan. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2011:946537.
[6] Saiyudthong, S. & Marsden, C.A. (2011). Acute effects of bergamot oil on anxiety-related behaviour and corticosterone level in rats. Phytother Res., 25(6):858-62.
[7] Fisher, K. & Phillips, C. (2009). In vitro inhibition of vancomycin-susceptible and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis in the presence of citrus essential oils. Br J Biomed Sci., 66(4):180-5.
[8] FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Premarket Approval, EAFUS: A food additive database. Available at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/eafus.html.
[9] The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
[10] Kejlová, K., Jírová, D., Bendová, H., Gajdoš, P., & Kolářová, H. (2010). Phototoxicity of essential oils intended for cosmetic use. Toxicol In Vitro, 24(8):2084-9.
[11] NOTE: We do not recommend tanning beds. Read more here: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/tanning (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
[12] Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2013). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. (2nd Ed.). Churchill Livingstone: 212.
[13] Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier: 583.
[14] McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., & Goldberg, A. (Eds.). (1997). American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Florida: CRC Press.
[15] Vitetta, L., Thomsen, M., & Sali, A. (2003). Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust., 178:411-2.
[16] If you don’t have a sifter or sieve, you can stir the ingredients or gently shake the bowl.
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