Bergamot “Select” Essential oil, Italy

Bergamot “Select” 100% Pure Essential oil, Italy
Botanical Name: Citrus bergamia
Origin:                  Italy
Method of Extraction: Cold Pressed
Parts used:           Peel
Color: Deep Green/Blue with Brown Tint
Perfumery Note:  Top/Middle       
Consistency:        Thin
Aromatic Description: Fresh Soft Sweet Citrus
Blends well with:     Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Black Pepper, Cajeput, Camphor, Cardamom, Carrot Seed, Cedarwood Atlas, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Citronella, Clary Sage, Coriander, Cypress, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Manuka, Marjoram, Melissa, Myrrh, Neroli, Niaouli, Nutmeg, Orange, Oregano, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Pine, Rose, Rose Geranium, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Tagetes, Tea Tree, Thyme, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang
Initial Strength:   Medium
Class:                    Ester
           This is a rare quality of bergamot we have classified as a special selection or “Select”. It is difficult to find and expensive but this quality is absolutely necessary to produce some of our blends. It has a very rich scent and we are proud to be able to share this with our friends.
          A good quality bergamot really stands alone among other citrus oils. Bergamot has lower terpenes such as d-limonene which allows for a much more flavorful oil. Limonene is not the most desired part of citrus oils in most cases. In citrus oils such as orange, limonene content might be as high as 92% - 96% and the different benefits or aromas come from the small amount of other components in the oil.
           The aromas in most citrus oils are released very quickly however, a good Bergamot has low limonene (typically around 35% in this “Select” oil), more “flavor” and a much more lasting scent. It can be used as a mild fixative to help hold the aroma in a blend to make it last longer. It is a very rare quality for a citrus oil.
          Bergamot oils are not the same quality. Some might be as high as 75% - 85% limonene and many samples are blended with lemon oil. Real bergamot normally costs 3 to 6 times more than lemon oil. No matter how much low quality bergamot you add to a blend you cannot get the lasting quality or concentrated benefits.
          Bergamot is energizing yet relaxing. It is a popular addition in formulas to treat stress, anxiety, nervousness and depression.
          Bergamot is high on the list of antiviral and antifungal essential oils. It speeds healing and stimulates the immune system to fight infection. It is used in skin treatments for abscesses, acne, boils, cold sores, eczema, herpes sores, oily skin and insect bites. It reduces fever and stimulates production of white blood cells and improves the integrity of red blood cells. It can be vaporized into the air to help treat colds, fevers, respiratory tract infections and sore throats. Blended with Tea Tree essential oil it is very effective when applied to Shingles, Chicken Pox or Herpes type sores.     
          Insomnia is one area where aromatherapy has excelled. Sleeplessness is a very common complaint among many people and over the counter sleeping pills commonly leave a person still feeling sleepy long into the next day, not to mention, it is not only adults with this problem any many parents don’t like the idea of raising children on sedatives. In this case a light approach is best.
          Bergamot has a very mild relaxing and uplifting quality that can help you to feel sleepy. It also improves the quality of sleep so you don’t keep waking during the night. It can be sprayed into the room, diffused, vaporized or massaged in before bedtime. You can increase the effectiveness by blending with Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense or Valerian Root, Vetiver, Patchouli if you don’t mind the smell.
          Bergamot stimulates the production of digestive juices. Rubbed on the abdomen in a clockwise pattern, it can be used as a treatment for common digestive disorders such as loss of appetite, colic, indigestion and flatulence. Its uplifting quality makes it a good choice in cases of appetite loss due to stress and anorexia.

Note: Most essential oils cannot be taken internally, but even when they can, essential oils are highly concentrated and require dilution, special training and caution that Aroma & More does not yet provide. You can never drink any essential oils at 100% strength or diluted in water-based liquids.
Caution: Cold Pressed Bergamot contains bergaptene which is phototoxic when exposed to sunlight. Direct sunlight should be avoided for 12 - 24 hours after applying to the skin. Essential oils can be harmful if used improperly. Information is provided for educational purposes only. It is up to the customer to determine if the product is right for their intended purpose. Special consideration should be made before applying essential oils to pregnant women, children or the elderly.
If under a doctor’s care, please consult the physician before using essential oils. If applying to skin essential oils must be diluted correctly and Aroma & More recommends testing on a small area of skin to check for reaction before attempting a full body massage. Claims have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Essential oils known to be phototoxic:
Bergamot peel oil cold pressed/Fig Leaf absolute/Grapefruit oil cold pressed/Lemon oil cold pressed/Lime oil cold pressed
Mandarin Leaf oil/Orange Peel Bitter oil cold pressed-expressed/Rue oil/Angelica Root oil/Cumin oil

Essential oils possibly phototoxic on a case by case basis:
Clementine oil/Kaffir Lime Peel oil cold pressed/Angelica Root absolute/Angelica Root CO2 extract
Celery Leaf oil/Celery Seed absolute/Cumin Seed absolute/Cumin Seed CO2 extract
Khella oil/Lovage Leaf oil/Parsnip oil

Essential oils that contain such small amounts of phototoxic to be considered non-phototoxic:
Bergamot fcf oil steam distilled/Lemon oil steam distilled/Lime oil steam distilled/Mandarin oil cold pressed
Orange Sweet oil cold pressed/Orange Leaf oil/Tangerine oil cold pressed/Yuzu oil