Bergamot EO
Details
- Botanical Name: Citrus aurantium var. bergamia (synonym of Citrus x aurantium L.)
- Origin: Italy
- Process: Cold Pressed Essential Oil
- Plant Part: Peels
- Cultivation: Conventional, unsprayed
- Use: Aromatherapy / Natural Perfumery. Always dilute.
- Note: Top note
- Aroma Family: Citrus
- Aroma: Bright, sweet, refreshing, and balanced blend of citrus and green aromas with a light floral, bitter undertone.
- Contraindications: Phototoxic (moderate risk); please see Safety Considerations below.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Overview
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot is a cooling, refreshing oil with many uses and ours has a bright, sweet, refreshing and balanced blend of citrus and green notes with a light floral and bitter undertone; it is a pleasantly fresh and uplifting example of what Bergamot oil should be. Its juicy, well-rounded aroma is a welcome and indispensable component of even the most basic essential oil collection. Bergamot oil has a wide spectrum of applications in addition to being greatly valued for its calming and balancing properties – its fresh, sweet, citrus aroma is very pleasing and especially uplifting to the spirit.
A member of the Rutaceae family originating either in Northern Italy or the Canary Islands,1 the Citrus aurantium var. bergamia tree produces small, somewhat bitter, round, knobby fruits, the peels of which are pressed for their aromatic oil. Trees were later cultivated in the Calabria region of southern Italy which now produces about 90% of the world’s supply of Bergamot oil. Bergamot is one of the most commonly used essential oils in perfumery where it adds a rich top note, especially in Eau de Cologne types; when combined with Neroli and Lemon, it produces an initial “fresh fragrance” impression.2 It is also the legendary flavor and perfume of Earl Grey tea.3
For many citrus fruits, the peel is expressed (or distilled) for the oil while the pulp is later extracted for the juice – added value and minimum waste being two good reasons for the oil and juice businesses to co-exist. In fact, most of the time, it is the same producer that extracts both the oil and the juice. With Bergamot essential oil, the situation is somewhat different. In more recent years, the food industry’s demand for whole fruit has been increasing, a phenomenon that has made it more difficult for essential oil producers to find the raw material, resulting in higher prices. The extraction of all our Bergamot essential oils is the primary business for our producers with citrus juice being a by-product.4
Citrus peel oils, like the coniferous needle oils, are predominantly composed of the highly volatile monoterpenes limonene and pinene – the perfect top note molecules perfumers commonly rely on. However, Bergamot oil is the only citrus peel oil with the distinction of containing up to 30% of the fruity-woody-floral ester linalyl acetate - a valuable antioxidant also found in Lavender. Renowned aromatherapist Patricia Davis states: “The fragrance is equally acceptable to men and women, and it blends with almost any flower oil, giving it considerable versatility.5
Our Bergamot essential oil is photo-sensitizing; we recommend that it be highly diluted when applied to the skin, or that one of our Bergamot FCF essential oils be used instead. FCF (furanocoumarin-free) is an acronym used to indicate that the chemical constituent(s) responsible for extreme sensitization of the skin to sunlight has been removed6; in the case of Bergamot oil, the specific furanocoumarin is bergapten.7
For information regarding the attributes of Bergamot essential oil, please see:
- L'Aromathérapie Exactement, Pierre Franchomme and Dr. Daniel Pénoël, 1990, p. 338.
- Essential Oils - A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice, Jennifer Peace Rhind, 2012, pp. 211-12, 269, 286.
- Aromatherapeutic Blending - Essential Oils in Synergy, Jennifer Peace Rhind, 2016, pp. 84, 126, 149, 175, 193-4.
For information regarding the use of Bergamot in perfumery, please see:
- "Bergamot: from yesterday until today," Clémence Decolin in The Osmotheque Blog, December 2016, https://www.osmotheque.fr/en/bergamot-from-yesterday-until-today/
- Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, Steffen Arctander, 1960, pp. 91-4.
Aromatic Profile: Bright, sweet, refreshing, and balanced blend of citrus and green aromas, with a light floral and bitter undertone.
Appearance: Greenish-yellow, transparent, mobile liquid.
Use: Aromatherapy, Natural perfumery.
Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved.
Blends Well With: Black Pepper, Boronia, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cypress Leaf, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon and other Citrus oils, Linden Blossom, Mandarin, Marjoram, Melissa, Mimosa, Myrtle, Neroli, Nutmeg, Orange (Sweet), Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Tea Tree, Thyme ct linalool, Vetiver, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang. "Bergamot oil has a certain fixative effect when used in fairly high concentrations; [it] is used extensively in perfumery for its sweet freshness, particularly in citrus colognes, chypres, fougères, modern fantasy bases, etc."8
Safety Considerations: Phototoxic (moderate risk), may be photocarcinogenic; a maximum dermal use level of 0.4% in the final product, except for wash-off products, is recommended to avoid phototoxicity. If applied to the skin at over maximum dermal use level, skin must not be exposed to sunlight or sunbed rays for 12 hours. Old or oxidized Bergamot oil should be avoided.9 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.
1 Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils, 1992, p. 16.
2 Williams, David G. Perfumes of Yesterday, 2004, p. 176.
3 Green, Mindy. Natural Perfumes - Simple Aromatherapy Recipes, 1999, p. 33.
4 Industry communication.
5 Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy: An A-Z, 2005, pp. 56.
6 Bowles, E. Joy. The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils, 3rd ed., 2003, pp. 108-9.
7 Industry communication.
8 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 91-4.
9 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, pp. 211-212.
The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.
Customer Reviews for Bergamot EO
- Short and sweet Review by Cristina
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Rating This bergamot offers a straightforward sweet citrus with a weak bitter quality distinguishing it from lemon. Reminds me of mandarin orange peel. Much sweeter than I anticipated, missing the distinct bitterness, the echo of pungency that I associate with bergamot. I can't endorse its use as a 'green' component, based on my [inexperienced!] nose. All said, it's quite nice.(Posted on 8/26/2019)
- Lemon scented Pledge! Review by Amy
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Rating Took me a while to remember exactly what it was that this oil reminded me of, but I finally figured out that it reminds me of lemon scented Pledge! Which is a good thing. More bitter, and not quite as fresh as a lemon. It's deeper and richer, not quite as organic to my senses.(Posted on 6/10/2018)
- hmm interesting/exotic Review by Amanda
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Rating the perfect green note to add to my perfume, it's interesting and richer than just a citrus. It's exotic and bright and green. very nice.(Posted on 9/13/2017)
- Bergamot healed cracks in heels Review by Rosanna
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Rating This oil has been amazing for healing the cracks in my heels as well as the cracks under my daughters toes. We go barefoot a lot and in the summer the cracks show up. Bergamot has worked better than any moisturizer.(Posted on 6/16/2017)
- Fresh and Spicy Review by Perkins
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Rating Really pretty and tenacious. A must have oil(Posted on 1/29/2017)
- Smells just like Earl Grey Review by Musa
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Rating If you aren't sure what this fragrance smells like, all you have to do is go to the store and buy a box of Earl Grey black tea--it's a very pleasant and comfy odor.(Posted on 5/28/2013)
- Beautiful Bergamot Review by IRINA
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Rating Beautiful, mysterious, with a note of bitter(Posted on 2/14/2013)
Превосходный, таинственный, с горьковатой ноткой