Bergamot: Citrus aurantium var. bergamia (Risso)
Why bergamot? Bergamot has a complex aroma (made famous as the characteristic flavor in Earl Gray tea) that combines a fresh citrus top note with herbaceous undertones. But, bergamot is no diva around the house! This aromatherapy essential oil is a great, citrusy cleaner and is commonly used in household preparations to help refresh and “clear the air,” including diffusions and in surface cleaners. Bergamot can promote radiant skin and is a beautiful addition to DIY skin and personal care items, including bath and massage blends.
Quality Assured:Our certified organic bergamot essential oil is responsibly sourced from Italy. The essential oil is expressed (preferred for therapeutic purposes) from the peel, and may have some wax settled at the bottom (a normal occurrence with expressed oils). Every batch of oil is Certified Organic by Oregon Tilthand produced without the use of genetic engineering, artificial fertilizers, or pesticides. Additionally, our expert aromatherapists here at the Apothecary Shoppe personally assess all of our oils—using touch, taste, smell, and lab analyses—to ensure that your essential oil is suitable for use and entirely free of adulterants.
For instance, a GC of our bergamot oil showed 41.09% of limonene, 4.38% of beta-pinene, 1.27% of alpha-pinene, and 6.58% of gamma-terpinene. It also contains 27.46% of the ester linalyl acetate and 12.94% of the alcohol linalool. In addition, this oil has a specific gravity of .8724 and a refractive index of 1.467 at 20°C.
Independent third-party lab reports including GC/MS and pesticide testing results are available upon request. Please send a request to apothecary@achs.edu and include the essential oil Latin name and lot number; results include a comparative analysis with ISO and the Pharmacopeia when available.
Curious about bottle sizes? Click here.
Benefits: Bergamot aromatherapy essential oil is useful for glowing and radiant skin.
Regulatory Status: Bergamot essential oil is listed on the FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.
How to Store Your Oil: Keep your essential oils stored in a cool dark place. Bergamot (and all citrus oils), pine, and juniper should all be stored in the fridge to prevent oxidation. If an oil spoils from heat and oxidizes, it can cause skin irritation.
Oils That Blend Well With Bergamot: An important and classic perfume material, bergamot aromatherapy essential oil 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. Bergamot blends well with:
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chamomile Roman Chamaemelum nobile
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chamomile German Matricaria recutita
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coriander Coriandrum sativum
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cypress Cupressus sempervirens
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geranium Pelargonium graveolens
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jasmine Jasminum grandiflorum
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juniper Juniperus communis
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lavender Lavandula angustifolia
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lemon Citrus limonum
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neroli Citrus aurantium var. amara
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rose attar Rosa damascena
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sandalwood Santalum album
Formulas:
CITRUS BEDTIME BLEND:
Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil: 10 drops
Clary sage Salvia sclarea oil: 3 drops
Benzoin resinoid Styrax benzoin oil: 2 drops
Chamomile German Matricaria recutita or chamomile Roman Chamaemelum nobile oil: 2 drops
Use two to three drops in bath, or dilute with one-ounce massage oil and rub on the chest.
NOTE: Extreme care should be taken with topical application; bergamot’s bergaptene content can cause abnormal skin pigmentation and possible skin cancer when exposed to the sun. This action is intensified if the bergamot is blended with alcohol. All sunscreens containing bergaptene are banned in Europe. Shirley Price recommends avoiding exposure for at least two hours after using a 1% dilution. We recommend avoiding exposure for at least 12 hours regardless of dilution, as ultraviolet light exposure is increasing with the continued depletion of the ozone layer. Do not use at the same time as photosensitizing drugs, as the bergapten content can compound photosensitizing effects and increase the risk of side effects.
