Uses of Bergamot Oil

Bergamot oil is one of the most versatile, health-boosting and fragrant essential oils available, but it still remains relatively little-known aside from a single, popular culinary use. Due to its high content of pungent volatile oils, bergamot is a must-have for anyone interested in perfumery, aromatherapy or alternative cooking.

The form of bergamot oil sold in stores is from the bergamot orange, a pear-shaped citrus commonly grown in the Mediterranean. A North American herb often called bergamot is an unrelated species with completely different properties; however, it was given the same name because its aroma mimicked that of the citrus fruit.

The most popular and well-known use of bergamot oil is in Earl Grey tea, a widely sold blend of black tea and bergamot oil. The oil or small amounts of bergamot rind are added to black tea blends, which together create a flavorful and popular hot tea drink.

Bergamot oil's culinary uses are not limited to use in teas and other beverages. Although a less common use, some chefs use bergamot oil to flavor desserts, preserves, and marmalades. This use is especially common in Europe but may be gaining popularity in the United States. The rich, slightly spicy, and slightly sour flavor of bergamot oil makes it a unique addition to many dishes.

Until 1995, bergamot oil was also used in sunscreens and tanning accelerators due to its content of psoralen, a compound known to increase melanin production and tanning. However, because of this very effect, the extract also led to skin cancers, including melanoma, and was banned to prevent further problems. Ingestion of large quantities of bergamot oil may possibly cause similar effects, but not in the quantities typically found in food.

However, bergamot might also yield a number of important health benefits. One study found that bergamot oil may contain compounds with neuroprotective properties, which may explain its common aromatherapeutic use to treat depression and anxiety. Many practitioners of arometherapy contend that bergamot oil's scent can alleviate symptoms of neurological, behavioral, and emotional disorders.

It may be the effects of aromatherapy that have led to the perfume industry's near-obsession with bergamot oil. The sweet-sour aroma of this unique citrus fruit can be found in many varieties of perfumes and colognes, for both men and women. Bergamot oil is also used in many potpouri blends, soaps, and body sprays.

A versatile, pungent, and flavorful fruit oil, bergamot provides a number of unmatched qualities to many different interests and industries. Bergamot oil can be purchased from any of several online retailers, and may also be available at your local health food store or aromatherapy clinic.