Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus bergamia)

Cold-pressed essential oil from the peel of Citrus bergamia, Bergamot Orange - the small sour citrus fruit grown primarily in Calabria, Italy. Bergamot oil is one of the most distinctive citrus essential oils: bright, citrusy, slightly floral and bitter with subtle complexity. The oil is famously the scent of Earl Grey tea (where it flavors the black tea base).

Key Facts

Botanical name

Citrus bergamia

Plant part

Peel

Extraction

Cold pressing

Primary aromatic compounds

Limonene, linalyl acetate, linalool

Famous use

Earl Grey tea flavoring

Aromatic character

Bright citrus, slightly floral and bitter, distinctively complex

Origin

Primarily Calabria, Italy

Important Safety: Photosensitivity

Bergamot oil contains bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen), a furocoumarin that causes phototoxicity - increased skin sensitivity to ultraviolet light that can result in severe sunburn and permanent skin discoloration. Do not apply Bergamot oil to skin areas that will be exposed to sunlight within 12-18 hours. Bergapten-free ("FCF" = Furocoumarin-Free) Bergamot oil is available for topical applications. The bergapten in regular Bergamot oil is also the reason traditional aromatherapy advises Bergamot for diffusion and very specific (skin-not-sun-exposed) topical use.

How to Use Bergamot Essential Oil

Diffusion: 3-5 drops in a diffuser. Perfumery: a brilliant top note in citrus and floral blends. Bath: only with proper carrier (avoid for daytime use due to photosensitivity). Tea flavoring: a single drop on dry tea leaves before steeping replicates the Earl Grey effect. Blend with: lavender, neroli, ylang-ylang, vetiver, rose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bergamot oil used for?
Aromatherapy, perfumery (a top-note staple), and as the flavor base of Earl Grey tea.

Is Bergamot safe for skin?
Only with caution. The bergapten content causes photosensitivity. Use bergapten-free ("FCF") Bergamot for topical applications, or avoid sun exposure for 12-18 hours after application.

Why is it called "Earl Grey" tea?
Black tea flavored with Bergamot oil is called Earl Grey, after Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.

What's "FCF" Bergamot?
Furocoumarin-Free Bergamot - bergapten removed for safer topical use.

What does Bergamot smell like?
Bright citrus with slightly floral, bitter, and complex character - distinct from other citrus oils.

Can I drink Bergamot oil?
Not recommended; the flavor effect in Earl Grey is from a tiny amount in tea processing, not from drinking essential oil directly.

This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.