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February 4, 2008
Aromatics International rang in 2008 with a trip to Italy in search of Bergamot! Happily for all of us, we were able to find a wonderful producer of bergamot in the "toe" of Italy, in the region of Calabria. After an enchanting 2 days in Rome, we flew to Calabria, and continued by car along the Mediterranean sea on a beautiful, twisting road through small towns and sweeping inland landscapes of Southern Italy.
Bergamot orchard, organic, 6000 trees!
We found Giuseppe or rather Giuseppe found us, huddled in our chilly hotel room (the south of Italy is COLD in early January!). He and his sister took us to their farm, where we were greeted by the family pig and acres of lush bergamot orchards. With much body language and laughter (little English spoken here, and no Italian from us...) we were able to learn about the process of abrasion and centrifugal extraction of bergamot oil. As each drop of the essential oil came out of the pipes, we grew more and more appreciative of the work and dedication Giuseppe and all of the small farmers/producers of essential oil maintain each day to provide the world with the beauty of these oils.
Bergamot oranges being washed
Distillery
The pig! He eats bergamot fruit cooked by Giuseppe's dad
Winter is the perfect time for bergamot and indeed, all of the citrus oils as they uplift our spirits, seeming to carry the scent of the sun with them! We have been filling our diffuser with bergamot and grapefruit frequently these days, and filling our senses with the joy of their aromas.
Bergamot oranges
Bergamot oil
Suggested blends to bring a little more sunshine into your day:
For the diffuser:
Mix 5 drops each of bergamot, grapefruit, and orange
Lip Balm:
Follow this link to a great lip balm recipe using orange essential oil.
In the bath:
Citrus oils can irritate the skin, but drops of neroli-from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, is perfect for the bath. Calming, harmonizing and balancing.
Massage Oil:
Add 5 drops lime and 2 drops juniper berry to 1 oz of jojoba for a stimulating, uplifting winter massage oil.
We hope you enjoy the bounty of citrus during these Winter months.
That's all for now.
Ciao!
Andrea and Cindy
