Bergamot essential oil is a cold-pressed essential oil produced by cells inside the rind of a bergamot orange fruit. It is a complex mixture of many classes of organic substances, particularly in the volatile fraction, including terpenes, esters, alcohols, and aldehydes, and for the non-volatile fraction, oxygenated heterocyclic compounds as coumarins and furanocoumarins. Bergamot oil has a soothing scent, spicy taste, and a wide range of potential uses and possible benefits. Here are some positive and negative aspects of bergamot oil:
Positive:
- Bergamot oil has a nice citrus scent and may already be an ingredient in the cosmetic products you use.
- Bergamot oil is a common cosmetic ingredient and a flavor added to Earl Gray tea.
- Bergamot oil may be used to help control food-borne illnesses and may provide a better solution compared to using antibiotics and other additives.
- Bergamot oil may be able to reduce cholesterol.
- Bergamot essential oil’s ability to reduce inflammation.
Negative:
- When applied to the skin, the chemicals in bergamot oil can make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
- Bergamot oil does not dissolve easily in water and can degrade easily, which may be a roadblock to its use in some areas.
- There is no good scientific evidence to support some of the uses of bergamot oil, such as for anxiety, mental alertness, joint pain, and many other conditions.
Ingredients or materials:
- Bergamot essential oil consists of a volatile fraction (average 95%) and a non-volatile fraction (5% or residual). Chemically, it is a complex mixture of many classes of organic substances, particularly in the volatile fraction, including terpenes, esters, alcohols, and aldehydes, and for the non-volatile fraction, oxygenated heterocyclic compounds as coumarins and furanocoumarins.
