Bergamot Essential Oil

1. Bergamot Essential Oil Bergamot is a unique, hybrid fruit that provides a sweet citrus, floral like aroma. Many people are familiar with Bergamot because it is used to flavour black tea, better known as Earl gray. This essential oil has great qualities for repelling insects, neutralizing body odor, improving digestion, relieving stress and promoting better health when diffused or applied topically. Plant Information Plant History Bergamot is a tropical plant that originated in South East Asia but due to its popularity in the 15th & 16th centuries, it migrated Westward. Christopher Columbus introduced Bergamot to Southern Europe when he brought it over from the Canary Islands. Bergamot was extensively cultivated and sold in Bergamo, Italy, and this is one theory of how Bergamot got its name. The other theory is, that Bergamot is Turkish for “The Lord’s Pear.” Medicinally, Bergamot fruit juice was used by Italian natives to treat malaria and intestinal worms and during the 16th century, the oil had been used as an antiseptic and as an aid to lower fever. Bergamot’s oil has also been used to calm acne and skin irritations, alleviate sore throats, urinary tract infections and fever and to support depression and compulsive behaviours. Today, Calabria, Italy makes 80% of worlds Bergamot oil and it’s known as being the best quality in the world. Botanical Information The scientific name for the Bergamot tree is Citrus Bergamia and belongs to the Rutaceae (Citrus) family. It’s a small tree with oval shaped leaves, white flowers and small fruit. The Bergamot fruit is actually a hybrid of sweet lemon and orange and has a bumpy, yellowish-green peel. Growing Information Like all trees belonging to the citrus family, Bergamot thrives the best in warmer climates. If you grow Bergamot in an area that experiences colder weather conditions, it’s best to grow it in a clay pot and bring indoors during colder months. Upon purchasing a Bergamot tree, repot it when you bring it home using one part heath soil and three parts citrus soil mix. The tree will then need to be repotted every 2-3 years during the Spring. Keep the tree in an area that receives adequate sunlight and is sheltered from the elements. Water regularly when needed and allow adequate drainage and during the trees growth phase, add citrus specific organic fertilizer. It is also important to note, to not place the tree near heat vents when indoors as this may dry out the tree. Parts Used The fruit of the Bergamot tree is used for many reasons. While this fruit is not edible on its own, it is used to make herbs and the oil that is expressed from the peel is used to flavour black tea, enhance the fragrance of perfumes and medicinally in aromatherapy.

2. 2 Oil Information Extraction Method Like many citrus essential oils, Bergamot oil is cold expressed from the almost ripe peel of the fruit. The peel is either punctured to active oil glands and juices, or squeezed out of the fruit as a whole by applying pressure to the whole fruit. The oil and juice are then separated so the essential oil can be collected. Active Ingredients The chemical composition of Bergamot oil is made up of: Limonene, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Pinene, Bergaptene, Terpineol, Nerol, Neryl Acetate, β -Bisabolene, Geraniol, Geraniol Acetate and Myrcene. Applications DIGESTIVE SUPPORT Bergamot oil is a stimulant, which can help get the digestive tract going. If you have feelings of constipation or indigestion, follow these applications below: • Mix 3 drops Bergamot oil in a rollerball with 9ml Avocado oil. Stir oils and rub in a clockwise motion on lower abdomen to help alleviate symptoms. • Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil in your diffuser. • In a bowl of hot water, add 4 drops Bergamot oil and soak a hot compress. Remove compress and place on lower abdomen, moving it every 10 seconds in a clockwise motion. ANXIETY & DEPRESSION SOOTHER Since Bergamot is a stimulant, it can offer support to symptoms of depression and anxiety. • Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil and breath deeply or do a meditation. • In a rollerball, mix 4 drops Bergamot oil with 9ml Grapeseed oil and apply behind ears, base of neck and temples or simply breathe aroma in slowly when feeling anxious or heavy. • Apply 4 drops Bergamot oil to a wash cloth, and under warm shower water, rub all over body (avoiding sensitive areas) and inhale aroma. Rinse off and continue with normal shower routine. BETTER HEALING Bergamot is also a great antiseptic and can help promote better healing from topical cuts and help detoxify the body when feeling sick. Read below to see how to promote healing with Bergamot: • • Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil to help the body detoxify. Mix 4 drops Bergamot oil in your shower gel or body cream and rub over body, avoiding sensitive areas. Mix 8 drops Bergamot oil in an aromatherapy spritz bottle with 58ml Tamanu oil and spray on cuts or scrapes to help disinfect wound. • CONGESTION RELIEF Bergamot’s antiseptic properties can also help alleviate symptoms of congestion and stuffy nose. • • Diffuse 10 drops Bergamot oil when chest is congested or nose is stuffy from cold season. Mix 4 drops Bergamot oil with 10ml Grapeseed oil and rub on chest to help decongest or alleviate stuffy nose by breathing in. Add 4 drops Bergamot oil to a bowl of hot water, place face 10 inches from bowl and cover head with towel, inhale steam for a few minutes, repeat as necessary. •

3. 3 Recipes Chest Rub In a glass jar without a lid mix: ¼ cup Shea Butter ½ Teaspoon Vegetable Glycerin 3 drops Eucalyptus oil 1 tablespoon Witch Hazel 6 drops Bergamot oil 3 drops Oregano oil • Place glass jar in a pot and add ½ cup of water to the pot (not the jar with contents). Bring water to a boil and stir contents often. • Once contents are liquified, carefully remove jar from pot. Caution, it will be hot. • Pour contents into an opaque jar with lid (rest lid on jar, do not seal) and let sit at room temperature to solidify. • Once hardened, tighten lid and store in a cool, dry place and rub on chest when needed. Body Wash In a bowl mix: 1 and ¼ cup of unscented Castile soap ½ tablespoon Avocado oil 1 drop of Tea Tree oil 2 drops of Sweet Orange oil 3 drops of Bergamot oil 2 tablespoons Witch hazel ½ tablespoon Tamanu oil 1 drop of Peppermint oil 2 drops of Grapefruit oil • Stir well or heat on very low and stir to help ingredients blend together. • Pour contents into an opaque bottle with pump lid and use as regular shower gel or hand soap. Body Mist Or Body Oil In a 60ml, opaque spritz bottle mix: 1 tablespoon Witch hazel 21ml Grapeseed oil 5 drops Sweet Orange oil 3 drops Lemon oil 21ml Tamanu oil 5 drops Bergamot oil 5 drops Rose blend oil • Stir well and shake before each use. • Spritz all over body.

4. 4 Topical Oil Blends APPLICATION ESSENTIAL OILS CARRIER OIL NOTES Bergamot Oil (5 Drops) Peppermint Oil (2 Drops) Ginger Oil (5 Drops) Grapeseed Oil (30ml) In A Dark Bottle With Lid, Add Essential Oils, Then Add Carrier Oil. Stir Or Shake To Mix And Pour A Small Amount Onto Palm. Massage Into Lower Abdomen In A Clockwise Direction. Digest Ease Bergamot Oil (3 Drops) Orange Oil (3 Drops) Grapefruit Oil (4 Drops) Bergamot Oil (3 Drops) Orange (3 Drops) Grapefruit (4 Drops) Vanilla Oil (5 Drops) Avocado Oil (30ml) In An Opaque Jar With Lid, Roller Ball Or Spritz Bottle; Add Essential Oils Then Pour Carrier Oil. Stir And Apply To Hot Points (Wrists, Inner Elbow, Behind Ears). Citrus Perfume Bergamot Oil (4 Drops) Peppermint Oil (3 Drops) Frankincense Oil (5 Drops) Almond Oil (30ml) In A Dark Aromatherapy Bottle, Add Essential Oils And Carrier Oil And Shake Or Stir To Blend. Apply A Small Amount To The Bottoms Of Feet And Back Of Neck To Support Fever Relief. Fever Support Bergamot Oil (6 Drops) Lemon Oil (3 Drops) Rosemary Oil (4 Drops) Tamanu Oil (30ml) In An Opaque Bottle, Add Essential Oils, Then Mix Carrier Oil. Stir And Apply To Cuts, Scrapes Or Acne To Help Kill Bacteria. First Aid Support

5. 5 Diffuser Blends BLEND ESSENTIAL OILS REMEDY Citronella Oil (3 Drops) Lemongrass Oil (2 Drops) Lavender Oil (6 Drops) Add Essential Oils To Diffuser Water And Diffuse In Backyard Or House For Up To 30 Minutes. Mood Enhancer Bergamot Oil (6 Drops) Eucalyptus Oil (3 Drops) Lavender Oil (4 Drops) Add Oils To Diffuser And Run When Suffering From Cold, Flu Or Bacteria Infection To Help Support Detoxification. Healing Properties Bergamot Oil (4 Drops) Vetiver Oil (3 Drops) Sweet Orange Oil (4 Drops) Blend Oils In Diffuser And Run When Feeling Anxious Or Stressed. These Oils Help Promote A Sense Of Calm, Focus And Support Cognitive Functioning. Stress Buster Bergamot Oil (4 Drops) Sweet Orange Oil (4 Drops) Grapefruit Oil (4 Drops) Vetiver Oil (3 Drops) Allspice Oil (2 Drops) Blend This Recipe In A Diffuser When You Want To Fill Your Home With A Warm, Fresh Aroma That Will Smell Like You’ve Been Baking All Day Long. Citrus Spice Cautions When not diluted properly, essential oils can cause severe skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset and even liver damage in the long term. If you have pets, make sure you’re using essential oils that have been deemed safe to use around animals. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, consult a health care practitioner prior to use. Do not ingest essential oils under any circumstance.