Bergamot

Citrus bergamia

An evergreen citrus fruit tree that is a member of the Rutaceae which includes all the citruses. Also known as sweet orange, this fruit is shaped like a pear and only grow in warm climate.

The common usage of this herb is usually in its essential oil form. The oil has quite a distinctive, pleasant smell, often pungent and sharp. It's different from orange essential oil in many expect but distinctively citrus. The oil is extracted from the rind mainly by hand but it is now done extensively by machines.

The essential oil is reputed to be very antiseptic and it has been used for many centuries, particularly in Italy. There, the oil is used to treat fever and worms. It is also used as a nice additives to food products, such as the world renowned Earl Grey Tea (oh I love that tea). It is also used to perfume certain toiletries such as Eau de Cologne.

When used in appropriate dilution, it is useful in treating a myriad of skin diseases including eczema which does not respond well to other treatment. The oil can be use to clear stress-induced symptoms such as headaches and irritability by introducing it into massage oil. I personally like to include this in my vaporiser.

Moreover, Bergamot helps in gastrointestinal spasm and flatulence, and when used in massage oil, it can cure constipation and colic. The oil is also detoxifying and helpful in the treatment of cellulite.

When used in bath, it can soothe vaginal itching and helps in cystitis. While used in steam inhalation, it cannot help but cures respiratory infections such as sore throat and bronchitis. Also, it can be used on the hair to fight dandruff and used in mouthwash to deodorise. (for more about deodorising your mouth, refer to my previous post of Bad Mouthed Symptoms.

There is also another usage for Bergamot, that is the usage of the leafs (esp. the young shoot) as tea leafs. It is very fragrant and it is used favourably in the United States before tea achieved its fame. They called it Oswego Tea.