BERGAMOT

(Citrus aurantium var. bergamia - Bitter Orange)

Bergamot oil is obtained by cold pressing the peel of the unusual pear-shaped fruit of the bitter orange. The small tree on which the fruit is found, is part of the Rutaceae (citrus) Family and grows in Italy. It should not be confused with Bee Balm that grows in North America and is also commonly called ‘Bergamot’.

Properties of Bergamot Oil:

• Analgesic,
• Antidepressant,
• Antiseptic,
• Antispasmodic,
• Carminative,
• Cicatrisant,
• Deodorant,
• Digestive,
• Expectorant,
• Febrifuge,
• Sedative,
• Vermufuge, and
• Vulnerary

Uses in Natural Skin Care:

Being antiseptic and wound healing, Bergamot is useful in toning lotions for skin irritations and in cleansers and creams for acne.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

Bergamot has been used as a digestive tonic and a worming agent. As it is reputed to be strongly antiseptic with an affinity for the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, it has also been used for a variety of infections and inflammations of these areas.

It has a refreshing and uplifting odour and is useful in depression and anxiety states, such as PMT, Post-Natal Depression, and can be found in:

• Wildcrafted’s Mellow Mood Massage Blend,
• Energy Balance Massage Blend and
• Wildcrafted Relaxation Blend Hydro Oil.

Other Applications and Uses:

• Skin: Abscess, Acne,Carbuncles, Eczema, Herpes, Psoriasis, Scabies, Skin care, Wounds, and Ulcers (Tisserand, 1992).
• Respiratory: Bronchitis, Respiratory tract infections, Tonsillitis, Tuberculosis, Diphtheria (Tisserand, 1992).
• Other: Colic, Cystitis, Depression, Fevers, Flatulence, Gall stones, Glossitis, Gonorrhoea, Halitosis, Leucorrhoea, Nervous tension, Stomatitis, Urinary tract infections, Vaginal pruritis, and Varicouse ulcers (Tisserand, 1992).

Contraindications and Cautions: Some chemotypes of the essential oil increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and may produce irritation in sensitive skins. Always use in dilution.