Citrus bergamia Crude fruit peel, cold pressed, from Italy.
Aroma: Fresh, orange/lemon/citrusy, slightly floral, warm and spicy, bergamot is the most intriguing of the citrus scents and is reminiscent of Neroli and Lavender oil.
History: The name Bergamot is derived from the city Bergamo in Lombardy where the oil was first sold. This tree is native to South East Asia but was introduced to Europe, and particularly Italy, and is also found in the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
Colour: Green/Golden
Consistency: Thin
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Common Uses: Bergamot essential oil can be used in the treatment of depression, stress, tension, fear, hysteria, infection (all types including skin), anorexia, psoriasis, eczema and general convalescence.
Possible Uses: Acne, abscesses, anxiety, boils, cold sores, cystitis, depression, halitosis, itching, loss of appetite, oily skin, psoriasis, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.] This oil is a brilliant anti-depressant! - TTF
Constituents: a-pinene, B-pinene, myrcene, limonene, a-bergaptene, B-bisabolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, geraniol, geraniol acetate, a-terpineol. [B. Lawrence, "Bergamot Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, October/November 1982, 43, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 145.]
Cautions: Bergamot oil can cause severe burns when used on sensitive skin that has been exposed to sunlight due to the high bergaptene content.
Safety Information: Phototoxic. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 121.] Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.
Photo thanks to K reger and Wikimedia.org.