Specifics

Personal Experience, Research, Possible Actions

Bergamot is fantastic as an ingredient in massage oils as it helps to reduce tension and soothe painfully tight muscles. Bergamot has additional antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system. 

The oil offers an emotionally uplifting effect to combat stress and depression and calms the nervous system. It is one of the most valuable oils I have used to support emotional health and well-being. It is also used to inhibit herpes viruses.

Try using Bergamot in a diffuser, especially for depression, as it adds a light, uplifting, and lovely aroma to the room.

Check out the blog post from a trip to Italy to see Bergamot being produced.

Learn More

Therapeutic Properties

• Antidepressant - helps prevent and alleviate depression
• Anti-inflammatory - alleviates inflammation, promotes cooling
• Antispasmodic - relieves spasms and cramps
• Antiviral- destructive to viruses
• Carminative - settles digestion and may assist in preventing gas
• CNS tonic, sedative

Emotional and Energetic Qualities

Relaxing, restorative, calming
Emotionally uplifting
Supports the release of repressed emotion
Helps reduce insomnia and anxiety

Recipe idea

For Abdominal Cramps
9 drops Bergamot
3 drops Lavender (angustifolia)
4 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Sweet Marjoram (Origanum marjorana)

Blend into 1 oz cream or carrier oil. Massage a capful gently into belly.

References:

1. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2003
2. Davis P. Aromatherapy an A-Z. New revised edition C.W. Daniel Company Limited, England, 1999
3. Mojay G. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Henry Holt and Company Inc., England, 1996
4. Schnaubelt K. Advanced Aromatherapy,The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, USA, 1998

Safety

Phototoxic—Avoid direct sunlight or sun beds for 12 hours after applying bergamot to the skin. Bergamot must not be applied to the skin undiluted. Serious skin burning/damage can occur if Bergamot is used on the skin and then the skin is exposed to the sun or a tanning booth. It may be used safely on the skin in a blend at no more than .4% (approximately 1 drop of Bergamot per ounce of carrier). See Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand. Do not use undiluted on the skin or in a bath.

When dealing with a phototoxic burn per Robert Tisserand:  "The initial (acute) reaction is very much like a severe burn, and so can be treated as such with hydrosols etc. The discoloration is often long-term. It will typically fade eventually, but could be years. There are no treatments that I know of, but maybe there are... It's due to melanocytes migrating up into the epidermis, so does not fade like a normal tan."