When someone says "citrus", we immediately think of fruits like lemon, lime or orange. However, there are foods that belong to this lesser known family that we are able to enjoy along with their health benefits, much more than we realise. This is the case of bergamot, a citrus fruit that has multiple uses in cooking, aromatherapy and also provides endless health benefits.
Bergamot is a sour fruit, similar to a pear. Used in essentials oils and perfumery it has many health benefits depending on how you use it. Since this food, or it's essence, is used more than we realise and so beneficial for the body and our health, in this article we are going to tell you in what bergamot is and how we use use it to take advantage of its health benefits.
Bergamot, or citrus bergamia, is a citrus fruit that comes from the bergamot tree and is mainly found in subtropical regions such as Italy. In fact, most of this species is harvested in the coastal area of the Italian province of Reggio Calabria.
Its shape is very similar to that of the pear, but it is rougher and its interior is divided into segments. As its flavour is quite bitter, this citrus fruit is not usually consumed either cooked or raw as with orange or lemon. Rather, it is often used to make bergamot essential oil, a substance that is used to flavour tea such as Earl Gray which is actually back tea with bergamot oils, it is also used to make perfumes or aromatherapy oils thanks to the relaxing effects of this essential oil.
Bergamot essential oil has many positive health benefits and effects. For starters, it is a powerful antiseptic that works to prevent infection in the body and heal wounds by speeding up the healing process of our skin cells.
This essential citrus oil can also act as a treatment for skin problems. Many symptoms of conditions such as psoriasis or eczema are produced by stress and thanks to the relaxing effects of bergamot oils, these symptoms can disappear or diminish. Likewise, bergamot oil can help to eliminate spots caused by acne, in addition to stimulating the blood flow of the skin to avoid varicose veins and spider veins.
Bergamot oils can be used for scalp care. For example, you can easily make a hair mask with aloe vera, water and a few drops of the essential oil of this fruit that will help you strengthen damaged hair. You can also put a drop of bergamot essential oils in your shampoo and then rinse.
Amongst many other uses of bergamot oil below we list just a few of the major benefits for our overall health as well as conditions that this essential oil can help with: it strengthens the immune system, has a calming effects, reduces anxiety, improves low mood, strengthens bones, regenerates collagen in the skin, reduces pain helps improve cholesterol levels and it even works as an insect repellent.
Now that you know what bergamot is, let's go into detail about one of its most popular uses: perfumery. Bergamot oil has refreshing and distinguished citrus notes and is used as an ingredient in fragrances for both men and women. Read on to find out with are the best fragrance products that include bergamot essential oil.
DIVAIN-073The first perfume we must mention is DIVAIN-073, a very floral scent with citrus notes at the top. It is a sexy, irresistible perfume with a lot of personality. It has a modern composition and a strong character, but remains fresh and will take you to a fantasy world.
The second perfume on the list is Escale A Portofino by Dior (DIVAIN-113), a perfume for women with a very aromatic citrus scent. The most pronounced notes are bergamot, lemon and petit grain or French granite, accompanied by notes of almond, cedar, orange blossom and musk, among others. A well balanced and long lasting perfume that will leave its mark on your skin.
Finally, we highlight Lacoste Pour Homme (DIVAIN-026), a perfume for men that offers a unique woody fragrance. The most pronounced notes are bergamot, apple, plum, and grapefruit. It also has notes of cinnamon, cardamom, sandalwood, vanilla, rum and cedar that will not leave you indifferent.
