Bergamot is a type of citrus fruit native to Italy, and its essential oils from the peel and the extract from the juice are used to make medicine. Bergamot oil has a soothing scent, spicy taste, and a wide range of potential uses and possible benefits. It is also a common cosmetic ingredient and a flavor added to Earl Gray tea. Here are some of the positive and negative aspects of bergamot:
Positive:
- Bergamot extract taken by mouth seems to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.
- Bergamot oil may be able to reduce inflammation, lower blood glucose, and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
- Bergamot oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which can help support wound healing, cracked skin, ulcers, itching, and other forms of skin issues.
Negative:
- When applied to the skin, the chemicals in bergamot oil can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. If you are concerned about your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, look for a bergapten-free version of bergamot oil.
- Bergamot may cause your blood sugar to drop. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar might reach unsafe levels. It’s important to monitor those levels if you choose to use bergamot supplements. Even if you don’t have diabetes, bergamot could make it harder for doctors to control your blood sugar during surgery.
- Bergamot oil does not dissolve easily in water and can degrade easily, which may be a roadblock to its use in some areas.
Ingredients or materials:
- Bergamot essential oil contains a wide variety of compounds, including limonene, linalyl acetate, linalool, y-terpinene, β-pinene, geranial, and β-bisabolene.
- Bergamot oil is commonly used as aromatherapy, and it can be added to foods, beauty products, and essential oils.
