Benefits of Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot essential oil health benefits : oil can be attributed to its properties as a deodorant, vulnerary, vermifuge, antibiotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative, analgesic, antidepressant, disinfectant, febrifuge, cicatrizant, and a digestive substance.
What is Bergamot Essential Oil?
Bergamot is a citrus fruit whose rind is used for extracting [1] bergamot essential oil. The scientific name of bergamot is Citrus aurantium var. or Citrus bergamia. It is a tropical plant but thrives in Europe as well. Its powerful aroma makes it a popular component in many perfumes, and it is often used as the “top note”. It is derived from cold compression, as opposed to the steam distillation through which many other essential oils are derived. One of the most common applications that you may not be aware of is its use in black tea preparation. The inclusion of bergamot essential oil in regular black tea is given a different name – Earl Gray!
The chemical composition of this oil includes alpha-pinene, alpha bergapten, alpha-terpineol, limonene, linalool, linalyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, beta bisabolene, geraniol, geraniol acetate, and myrcene.
Health Benefits of Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot oil has a very sweet smell and a number of medicinal and industrial uses due to its properties. Explore its health benefits below.
Improves Blood Circulation
The components of bergamot oil, like alpha-pinene and limonene, are antidepressant and stimulating in nature. By improving the circulation of the blood, they create a feeling of freshness, joy, and energy in cases of sadness and depression. They also stimulate hormonal secretions, thereby helping to maintain proper metabolic rates. This stimulating effect also increases the secretion of digestive juices, bile, and insulin. This aids in digestion, proper absorption of nutrients, assimilation, and decomposition of sugar and the resultant lowering of blood sugar. The hormonal impact of this essential oil is part of the reason that it is so powerful on these neurological and mental conditions.
Relaxant & Sedative
The flavonoids present in bergamot oil are very good relaxants as well. They soothe the nerves and reduce nervous tension, anxiety, and stress, all of which can help cure ailments associated with stress such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and depression. They can also stimulate the activity of certain hormones in the body like dopamine and serotonin, which induce feelings of relaxation and sedation.
Eliminates Bad Odor
This property of bergamot oil is popular among the younger generation who is always trying new deodorants, searching for something refreshing and natural. This essential oil is an excellent deodorant. The refreshing aroma and disinfectant properties of bergamot oil inhibit the growth of germs causing body-odor. This makes it an effective and attractive delivery system as a deodorant. Citrus smells are very powerful and can overcome or eliminate many other odors, which is why this oil is also used in room fresheners and sprays.
Reduces Fever
A febrifuge is a substance that reduces fever and lowers body temperature. Bergamot is a good febrifuge for a number of reasons. First of all, as an antibiotic, it fights infections that arise from viruses, bacteria, and protozoa that cause fever, including influenza (virus), malaria (protozoa), and typhoid (typhus bacteria). Secondly, it stimulates the metabolic system and gland secretions, thereby providing a feeling of warmth and resulting in additional secretion (perspiration or sweat) from the eccrine glands (sweat glands) and sebaceous (sebum) glands, thus reducing body temperature. This can also reduce the toxicity of the body through perspiration, and clean out the glands and pores of any foreign toxins that can result in a variety of skin conditions.
Relieves Spasms
It relaxes nerves and muscles, thereby giving quick relief from cramps, convulsions, and painful muscle contractions. This can also be important for people with chronic coughing, respiratory conditions or asthma, which is similar to a spasmodic reaction.
