Bergamot

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Have you tried a cup of Earl Gray tea with the aroma of bergamot. Not that black tea alone is not fragrant enough, but the addition of oil extracted from the peel of this fragrant citrus is the thing that completes the unique symbiosis of scents in this type of tea.

In our country bergamot is not one of the most popular citrus fruits, but its many advantages such as taste, aroma and useful applications made us interested in everything related to bergamot. Bergamot (Citrus aurantium subsp. Bergamia) is a small citrus fruit of contradictory origin. The Italians vehemently claim to be his homeland and still grow plantations with him on a large scale. Other sources make reference to the use of bergamot as far back as ancient Egypt.

According to some sources, small citrus first appeared in the Italian region of Calabria in the 18th century, which is a major producer of bergamot with 90% of world production to this day. The deep roots that these bitter orange trees have planted in the Italian region are the reason why bergamot has even become its symbol, as well as a symbol of the city of Reggio Calabria.

Bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia - Rutaceae) is believed to have been brought from the Canary Islands by Christopher Columbus. Today it is grown specifically for its oil in and around Calabria in southern Italy and Sicily. There are smaller areas of plantations on the Ionian coast and in North Africa, in particular on the Ivory Coast, Argentina and Brazil.

Another version links the name of the fruit to Bergamo, a town in Lombardy, Italy, where the extracted oil was first sold. Bergamot essential oil is widely used not only in perfumery, but also in cooking for various types of cakes and in some liqueurs. Bergamot oil with its pleasant and fresh aroma is considered the best essential oil obtained from citrus.

The fruit itself is sour, and oil is extracted from its fragrant skin, which is used to make Earl Gray tea. This tea was first brought to Europe in the nineteenth century by the English diplomat Count Gray, and the drink is known by this name to this day. Bergamot essence is a major ingredient in many perfumes, used in aromatherapy and confectionery, as already mentioned.

Today, more than 1,600 hectares of land are planted with trees bergamot. Approximately 100 tons of essence are produced from them. 200 kilograms of fruit are needed to obtain one kilogram of bergamot essential oil. The trees themselves are much smaller than the other members of the Citrus family.

Recent research in botany claims that bergamot was obtained by the natural cross between a species of sweet lemon (Citrus limetta) and a species of tart orange (Citrus aurantium originating in South Vietnam). Bergamot trees bloom in April, and the small yellowish fruits are pear-shaped and are harvested from December to February. Because of their shape, they were once called bergamot pears, hence the etymology of the name - from Persian-Turkish - beg-armudi - "bay pear".

Somewhat understandably, the largest importer of aromatic bergamot products is France. Napoleon's country is famous for its perfume industry, and bergamot oil has been used since the sixteenth century and is mentioned in many old manuscripts and books on herbs.

Composition of bergamot

Bergamot and its fragrant oil are used in aromatherapy mainly because of their antiseptic properties and the research of many therapists proves that it is not inferior to lavender in effectiveness. Bergamot contains more than 300 components, the main of which are: linalilacetate (30-60%), linalool (11-22%) and other alcohols, terpenes, alkanes and furocoumarins (for example, bergapten, 0, 3-0, 39%).

Application of bergamot

The fruit of bergamot it is not edible and is produced solely for the purpose of extracting an essence which is extracted from the skins of ripe bergamot fruits and is widely used in the perfume industry because of its sweet freshness.

Bergamot oil is widely used in the cosmetics industry for flavoring soaps, perfumes and aftershave lotions. It is interesting to know that even in minimal concentrations, the oil can cause over-pigmentation of the skin because it contains bergapten and bergamot. These 2 substances increase the skin's ability to produce melanin.

This automatically makes bergamot quite a dangerous oil to include in sunscreens. For people with sensitive skin, this would be too risky. Bergamot essence is used to create both men's and women's perfumes and is present in most perfume groups, mainly in the top notes.

Culinary application of bergamot

In cooking, bergamot is used as an additive in desserts, liqueurs, settings, meat, fish, vegetables, yogurt dishes. You can use it for therapeutic aromatization of the children's room and bedroom.

Benefits of bergamot

Bergamot with its astringent aroma has a unique refreshing effect in combination with tea. But other than that, this little citrus hides a basket of useful surprises for our health and beauty. Phytotherapists from all over the world are adamant that bergamot has antispasmodic and soothing properties and helps treat digestive problems.

Bergamot bark oil is famous for massages. Some use it for abdominal massage to improve appetite in children and adults after illness or just to stimulate the digestive process. Bergamot is a valuable antiseptic and coolant, which makes it very effective in all kinds of infections and inflammations. In case of any stressful condition of the skin, do not hesitate to apply the oil.

Even drinking bergamot-flavored tea can have a good effect on your health and mood. Its unique aroma will make you more positive and communicative, will stimulate you for creative endeavors, and an additional plus is the wild erotic fantasy, which is not uncommon to overwhelm you. For colds, it is good to apply a massage with bergamot oil - it warms and at the same time reduces fever.

It can quickly eliminate inflammation of the nasopharynx. Bergamot is widely used in cosmetics because it successfully normalizes the secretion of sweat glands in oily and combination skin, lightens the skin and shrinks pores. It is often used in dermatology in the treatment of fungal diseases.

A good piece of advice is to massage your forehead and back with a mixture of bergamot, lavender and grapefruit oil before an important exam or if you need a sharp concentration of thought. If you have difficulty waking up early, take a shower in the morning with bergamot soap. The massage with bergamot oil on the neck and shoulders successfully chases away headaches and tension.

The essential oil of bergamot combines well with other oils - lemon, grapefruit, rose. Especially soothing is the combination with essential oil of geranium, which helps you sleep peacefully and deeply. Do not put more than three drops if you use it in the bathroom. They will be enough to make you feel rested and refreshed.

In summary, the health benefits of bergamot are associated with general strengthening, hardening, increasing the efficiency of immunity. It is effective against colds, lowers the temperature, has a detoxifying, cleansing effect. Recovers the body after trauma, illness or surgery. Bergamot is an effective remedy against angina, laryngitis, pharyngitis, chronic tonsillitis. Normalizes hemodynamics, stimulates microcirculation. Prolonged use is effective in hypertension, autonomic dystonia, asthenia and hypotension.

Bergamot has an angioprotective effect - strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases their elasticity, removes varicose veins and rosacea. Optimizes the processes of digestion, removing the feeling of heaviness after eating, flatulence, bad breath. Prevents the accumulation of extra pounds (overweight). Mild antispasmodic: relieves seizures, colic, migraine, PMS. Normalizes menstruation.

Harm from begamot

As already mentioned, bergamot and essential oil contain a substance that can cause an allergic reaction when exposed to the sun, which is especially dangerous given the increasing incidence of skin cancer and various eczema.

Therefore, you should not apply bergamot on yourself for 12 hours before exposing yourself to the sun. Otherwise, itching and skin pigmentation may occur. Its use by pregnant and breastfeeding women is also not recommended.