7 Amazing Benefits of Bergamot Essential Oil – Boost Your Mood and Health Naturally

If you’re into essential oils you’ve probably come across bergamot. It’s incredibly popular as an essential oil but if you’re unfamiliar (or maybe don’t know much about it) with bergamot, let’s catch you up to speed.

The origins of bergamot aren’t very clear. Today it is grown primarily in Southern Italy, Corsica, Morocco and the Ivory Coast. Some believe that Columbus brought it to Italy but we all know how many thing Columbus has been credited for that aren’t true so let’s not jump on that bandwagon just yet.

The name “bergamot” comes from a town in Italy, “Bergamot” (big surprise) where the essential oil is heavily produced. Back in the day, bergamot became extremely popular as a cologne or perfume which is still the case today. What you may not know is that bergamot is what gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavor.

Bergamots are citrus fruits that grow on trees. They look like knobby limes. The fruit itself is extremely sour and bitter and thus is not used for culinary or eating purposes which leaves plenty of them to make wonderful essential oils! Apparently they’re nearly impossible to grow from seed and so they’re most commonly grafted to lemon or bitter orange trees - this seems weird to me. How did they get started in the first place? Columbus must have invented them.

Bergamot essential oil itself comes from pressing of the rind. It’s an olive green looking oil that turns more yellow as it gets exposed to oxygen. It has a sweet, fruity, citrusy smell to it with a slightly bitter-ish finish.

Bergamot essential oil has many health benefits and I’d like to share some of them with you today so that you too may enjoy this amazing oil.

Bergamot Essential Oil As A Powerful Antidepressant

By diffusing bergamot essential oil throughout the day, it helps greatly to enhance ones mood. Bergamot essential oil can help alleviate apathy, fatigue, negative feeling, sadness, lack of appetite, low libido, and feeling of helplessness or disinterest in activities you used to love. Bergamot oil can stimulate uplifting thoughts and feelings and improve energy levels. To diffuse, put 5-10 drops of bergamot essential oil into your diffuser and let it run.

Bergamot Essential Oil For Sleep

Bergamot essential oil is widely recognized for its calming and relaxing properties, which can significantly aid in improving sleep quality. Here’s an in-depth look at how bergamot essential oil helps promote better sleep:

1. Anxiolytic Properties
Bergamot essential oil has anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects. By alleviating feelings of stress and anxiety, it helps create a more relaxed state conducive to falling asleep. Studies have shown that bergamot oil can reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body, which is often elevated in individuals with sleep disorders.

2. Sedative Effects
The oil has natural sedative properties, which help to slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. These physiological changes can prepare the body for sleep by creating a state of calm and relaxation. Inhaling bergamot oil can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which enhance feelings of well-being and relaxation.

3. Regulating Sleep-Wake Cycles
Bergamot essential oil can help regulate the body's circadian rhythms, which are responsible for the sleep-wake cycle. By promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, bergamot oil helps ensure that your body knows when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up, leading to a more consistent and restful sleep pattern.

4. Combating Insomnia
For individuals struggling with insomnia, bergamot oil can be a natural remedy. Its soothing aroma and calming effects on the nervous system help to induce sleepiness and improve sleep quality. The oil’s ability to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are often linked with insomnia, makes it a holistic approach to tackling sleep issues.

5. How to Use Bergamot Essential Oil for Sleep

• Diffuser: Add 5-10 drops of bergamot essential oil to a diffuser in your bedroom and let it run for about 30 minutes before bedtime. The gentle diffusion of the oil will help create a calming atmosphere.
• Pillow Spray: Mix a few drops of bergamot oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist your pillow before going to bed.
• Topical Application: Dilute a few drops of bergamot oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba oil) and apply it to your temples, wrists, or the soles of your feet. This can help to relax your body and mind before sleep.
• Bath: Add a few drops of bergamot essential oil to your evening bath. The warm water combined with the soothing aroma of the oil will help you unwind and prepare for a good night's sleep.

Bergamot Essential Oil As An Antiseptic

Bergamot essential oil is a very effective antibacterial agent. This is especially useful during the winter cold and flu seasons. You can either make your own disinfectant spray or add it to your existing cleaner:
1/2 cup high-proof vodka or rubbing alcohol or vinegar.
1/2 cup white distilled vinegar.
3/4 cup water.
4. 50-60 drops bergamot essential oil.

Bergamot Essential Oil Relieves Muscle And Joint Pain

Make yourself a homemade muscle rub - it smells a lot better than Ben-Gay. To do so, add some bergamot essential oil to your massage oil or a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil and apply after exercise. It’s anti-inflammatory and circulatory boosting benefits will reduce muscle soreness over time.

Bergamot Essential Oil Reduces Coughing And Loosens Phlegm

Make your own chest rub for those nights when coughing and phlegm would prevent you from getting quality sleep. Just add some bergamot essential oil to a carrier oil and then rub on the chest as you would a vapor rub.

Bergamot Essential Oil Controls Sebum Production On The Skin

Bergamot essential oil has great properties for the skin. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, bergamot essential oil can dramatically improve skin complexion by reducing the appearance of scars while keeping bacteria caused acne to a minimum. It’s recommended that skin applied bergamot essential oil be “FCF” which stands for “furocumarin free”. Furocumarins are very phototoxic meaning that if you apply them to your skin and then go out in the sun - even days later, you will get a nasty sunburn!

Bergamot Essential Oil To Freshen Up Your Pits

As we’ve covered in this article, bergamot essential oil has a great capacity to keep bacteria to a minimum while it also smells fantastic. Why not combine these two benefits and use them to keep you odor free and smelling great?! Green Theory uses bergamot essential oil in its Citrus & Vanilla natural probiotic deodorant (Women’s Daily Wear Collection). All Green Theorydeodorants use 100% all natural ingredients, odor fighting probiotics and detoxifying bentonite clay to leave you with fresh pits and peace of mind all day long! Additonally, we also use bergamot essential oil in our Polaris shampoo bar which is also formulated with all natural ingredients with the health and vibrancy of your hair as our main focus. 

What do you use bergamot essential oil for? Share your secrets in the comments below!