Bergamots are inedible bitter citrus fruits grown for their essential oil. The trees were first discovered on the Canary Islands by Christopher Columbus, who introduced them to Calabria, Italy, which is still the chief area of production.
The oil, obtained by expressing the fruit rinds, is a yellow-green colour and has a refreshing
aroma. Bergamot is used to flavour Earl grey tea an is used in perfumery for its ability to combine with an array of scents to form a bouquet of aromas which complement each other. Some half of women’s perfumes contain bergamot essential oil. Bergamot is a major component of the original Eau de Cologne composed by Farina at the beginning of 18th century Germany. 

Blending: Top note.
 
Bergamot oil is extremely useful in the treatment of digestive problems such as colic, gastric
spasms and sluggish digestion. Emotionally, bergamot calms agitation, lifts despondency and balances mood swings.

Research shows both Bergamot oil (contains limonene 50%, linalyl acetate 25%)  and diazepam exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviours and attenuated HPA axis activity by reducing the corticosterone response to stress.

Safety

Safety Information: Phototoxic. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 121.] Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.

Model Chemistry

50% d-limonene



Bergapten - interesting 5 carbon element