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Essential oils in aromatherapy, cosmetology, and cooking. Fascinating and joyful Bergamot eo. Part 3.

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Today I’d like to speak about one of my favorite essential oils – fascinating and joyful Bergamot eo. It’s prized for its soothing scent, spicy taste, and wide range of uses.

ABOUT THE PLANT

 

COMMON NAMES

Bergamot orange tree

LATIN NAME

Citrus bergamia, Citrus aurantium

BOTANICAL FAMILY

Rutaceae

PLANT DETAIL

This green-leaves shrub is 5m high, and the fruits are smaller than oranges but very similar.

FLOWERING PERIODNATIVE REGION

Asia

 

ABOUT BERGAMOT FRUIT

INCI NAME

CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA FRUIT OIL

ESSENTIAL OIL NAME

Bergamot essential oil

PART USED

Zest

SCENT

Bergamot Essential Oil smells citrusy and possesses a beautifully complex aroma with underlying floral and bitter characteristics.

EXTRACTION METHOD

Cold expression

PRODUCTION

4,8 ML of essential oil per KG of bergamot

 

 

Bergamot oil is extracted from the rinds of citrus fruit (Citrus bergamia) that grow on bergamot orange trees. If you’re a fan of Earl Grey tea, you’re already enjoying the distinctive taste of bergamot, which is used to flavor it.

The earliest roots of the bergamot tree can be traced to Southeast Asia. It’s currently grown in many parts of the world but achieved its prominence and name in Bergamo’s town in southern Italy.

 

Important Precautions for Using Bergamot Oil

Bergamot essential oil should not be used full strength directly on the skin. It can be mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or mineral oil, and used as a skin softener. Bergamot oil can also be mixed with water vapor and used as an aromatherapy treatment. Do not swallow essential oils.

 

Bergamot is the most delicate of the citrus plants, requiring special climate and soil to thrive. Italians have used Bergamot oil for years to reduce feelings of stress and to soothe and rejuvenate skin. In Greece, the unripe fruits are used as sweetmeats, eaten by the spoonful as a dessert or coffee.

Bergamot essential oil is unique among citrus oils due to its ability to be uplifting and calming, making it ideal for helping with anxious and sad feelings. It is also purifying and cleansing for the skin while having a calming effect.

 

Bergamot eo for the skin

Spicy and citrusy bergamot oil is a natural astringent, with clarifying and oil-reducing properties that make it ideal for anyone suffering from overactive sebum production. It’s a balancing addition to formulas to deal with oily skin: bergamot will penetrate and unclog pores while respecting your skin’s natural lipid barrier, neither over-drying nor stripping. It’s also super helpful for hyperpigmentation, which can be a lingering hangover from acne blemishes long after they’ve healed.

Several compounds in bergamot oil have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This may make bergamot oil an effective spot treatment for acne in people who do not have sensitive skin. Its analgesic qualities may also make it effective against painful cysts and pimples.

Applied to post-blemish marks, bergamot oil stimulates skin cell renewal, redistributing skin pigments for an even and toned complexion. What’s more, bergamot has naturally powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it an effective tonic for live blemishes and bacterial-induced pore-clogging. 

 

 

Bergamot eo for the hair

 

Bergamot oil enthusiasts (and people who love soft, lightly scented hair) swear by this essential oil’s ability to soften and tame curls. Anecdotal evidence indicates that bergamot oil may also be soothing to an irritated scalp.

For hair health, bergamot oil is a stimulating and regenerating add-on to your everyday routine. It can add shine to dull locks suffering from dryness and weather-induced breakage, and frizz. And it’s also an effective tonic when it comes to dealing with scalp health. Bergamot oil works to stimulate skin cell renewal on the scalp to promote the healthy sloughing away of dead skin to reveal new skin underneath. 

The incredibly high content of Vitamin C that’s naturally present in bergamot oil also works to protect your hair against oxidative stress from environmental pollutants, as well as stimulating the production of collagen.

 

How to use

Add 4-12 drops to a bowl of steaming water/facial steamer and inhale deeply for 5-10 minutes.

For massage, add 2 drops to 4 tsp carrier oil.

Add 1 drop to 2 tsp of carrier oil for local application.

For diffusing, add 10-15 drops to your diffuser.

Start with the lowest number of drops; increase as desired.

 

Studies have shown that Bergamot oil can decrease stress and anxiety, making it great for sniffing at your desk during the day or dripping a few drops into a diffuser while you sleep. It’s frequently used as a top note in fragrances (like Tom Ford Neroli Portofino) and pairs well with florals and spices.

previous parts:

https://greencharm.life/aromatherapy-miracle-star-anise-oil/

https://greencharm.life/essential-oils-unique-chamomile-oil-part-2/

 

To read more about:

https://www.aromaweb.com/books/worwood.asp

https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/bergamot-oil.asp

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/22/4/614/htm

A useful guide to using essential oils in your beauty routine. Part 2.

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Are essential oils safe?

Essential oils have been used for medicinal and skincare purposes for thousands of years in many different cultures. Today, essential oils are often used in skin care products to add fragrance or instill aromatherapeutic benefits. Some essential oils have been clinically proven to possess antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and insect-repelling properties. For example, research has shown that tea tree oil, when applied properly, can help treat acne by killing the bacteria that causes it.

 

These natural oils can be rich in antioxidants and contain antibacterial ingredients that protect against skin issues. However, “Most of the components in oils can significantly irritate and damage the skin. Common examples include fragrant ingredients like limonene, citronellol, and eugenol, which are all present in fragrant plant oils. The positives just don’t outweigh the negatives,” says Paula Begoun, the founder of sensitive skincare specialists Paula’s Choice.

 

How essential oils can hurt your skin?

Some components of these oils are indeed beneficial for the skin. For example, many of them are rich sources of potent antioxidants like caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid (among many others). Others contain antibacterial ingredients that protect against visible skin problems related to fungi, yeast, and other topical troublemakers.

Sounds good, right? But in the long run, it’s not good for the skin because most of those compounds can also significantly irritate and damage the skin. Common examples include fragrance ingredients like limonene, citronellol, eugenol, and linalool, all present in many fragrant plant oils. The positives just don’t outweigh the negatives.

Some essential oils for acne-prone skin such as rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, cinnamon, citronella, and tea tree oils do have research showing them to be helpful. But they also cause significant irritation and haven’t proven to be as effective as the gold standard active ingredient for acne, benzoyl peroxide (which research shows can even reduce redness!).

In terms of essential oils for aging skin, none can successfully deal with the appearance of wrinkles, brown spots, loss of firmness, or address the need to exfoliate the skin, especially in comparison to the hundreds of beneficial, non-fragrant plant extracts and vitamins that have no risk of causing irritation.

from here: https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/natural-skincare/essential-oils-for-skin.html

It’s important to know which oils are good for the skin and the others that simply aren’t. Ksenia Selivanova and Claudia Felton, founders of Lion/ne skincare consultancy, say: “There are some oils that have been ‘proven’ to take down the inflammation and help blemish-prone skin; a few of these are tea tree oil, rosemary oil, and lemongrass.”

“However, we would not recommend these essential oils as a ‘go-to’ due to their volatility and potential to cause more harm than good to the skin. If you do choose to use tea tree oil, make sure not to apply directly on an open wound or spot that has been picked!”

 

previous part: https://greencharm.life/a-useful-guide-to-using-essential-oils-in-your-beauty-routine-part-1/

 

To be continued…

A useful guide to using essential oils in your beauty routine. Part 1.

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What are the ESSENTIAL OILS?

Essential oils, or aromatherapy oils, are the fragrant essence of a plant. These highly concentrated liquid oils are the foundation of aromatherapy, which is based on the idea that the aromatic oil from a plant has healing properties. Essential oils should not be confused with perfumes or other fragrance oils. Essential oils are natural to the plant, whereas fragrance oils are chemically produced to mimic certain aromatic scents for perfumes, colognes, candles, etc.

Essential oils are the volatile essences of plants that create unique, wafting fragrances. They can be extracted from any plant’s flowers, bark, stem, leaves, roots, and sometimes its fruits. No matter the source, these oils are complex mixtures, often containing up to 60 different substances—some good for skin, others not so good.

lavender and massage oils
Photo by Elly Fairytale on Pexels.com

 

How are they extracted?

Essential oils are extracted one of two ways: either by steam distillation or expression or pressing. Distillation is the most prominent method used to extract aromatherapy oils, however. This technique involves steaming the plant matter until it breaks down. This breakdown phase’s byproduct is the plant’s fragrant oil, which is cooled, separated from the water, and finally filtered into its pure essential oil.

Some aromatherapy oils are too concentrated to apply directly to the skin. In this case, the oil is combined with a ‘carrier’ oil or lotion to dilute its strength. Applying stringent oils to the skin can cause harmful reactions, such as rashes or burns. Certain essential oils should be avoided if you are pregnant or have been diagnosed with a specific illness.

A bit from the history

For thousands of years, people have been using natural oils for beauty. In fact, the first recorded use of essential oils dates back to 18,000 B.C.E! Today, people are returning to the age-old practice of using aromatherapy and essential oils in their daily beauty routines.

for example https://asiaent-life.com/the-benefits-of-using-essential-oils-for-cosmetology/

or the scientists’ opinion: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/5/1/11/htm

 

 

How are essential oils used?

Essential oils can be diffused for inhalation, applied topically, or used for cleaning,” says New York City-based certified acupuncturist Mila Mintsis, who specializes in pain management and anxiety disorders.

 

According to dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology in New York City, Sejal Shah, it may be best to inhale essential oils if your concern is internal or emotional. “Clinical studies have shown that aromatherapy by inhalation can have real benefits for people with, for example, anxiety, [problems with] mental focus, depressive symptoms, and menstrual pain,” says Robert Tisserand, an essential oil educator and aromatherapy expert from California. He adds that using essential oils via bathing, diffusing, and topical applications can also help well-being.

 

 https://greencharm.life/cosmetology-and-aromatherapy-part-1/

https://greencharm.life/cosmetology-and-aromatherapy-part-2/

to be continued…

The ultimate guide to aromatherapy for skin, hair and maybe something else:)).Essential Oils. History.

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This is the text of my son. Later I will tell more about the history of using essential oils. It is very exciting.

Today we will talk about essential oils. Essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) aroma compounds from plants. Essential oil is “essential” in the sense that it contains the “essence” of the plant’s fragrance—the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived. In contrast to fatty oils, essential oils typically evaporate completely without leaving a stain or residue. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes include expression, solvent extraction, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, wax embedding, and cold pressing.

Lemon essential oil

Aromatic plants, essences and oils have been used for ages in ceremony, religious observances, beauty care, food preparation and preservation, as incense, and for perfumes. Aromatic plants have also been the basis for herbal and botanical medicines and remedies for thousands of years. In India, Ayurveda utilized essential oils to help the body balance energy and achieve harmony with the outside world. The ancient Egyptians also harnessed the unique power of essential oils in their process of mummification, as we are shown in the hieroglyphics of their time. In the era of modern medicine, the term “Aromatherapy” first appeared in print in 1937 in a French book on the subject: Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales by René-Maurice Gattefossé.

essential oils

Different essential oils may have drastically different pharmacology. Some act as locally anesthetic counterirritants and, thereby, exert an antitussive effect. Some essential oils, such as those of juniper and agathosma, are valued for their diuretic effects. Many essential oils affect the skin and mucous membranes in ways that are valuable or harmful. Some essential oils, such as clove oil or eugenol, were popular for many hundred years in dentistry as antiseptics and local anesthetics.

Studies have shown that aromatherapy is very useful in treating psychological disorders such as stress, depression, and anxiety. By using essential oils to stimulate positive signals in your brain, you can significantly reduce negative emotional conditions. You may use these oils in an oil diffuser or a hot bath. Certain essential oils have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that, when applied to the skin, can reduce irritation and inflammation. These oils may either be applied directly to skin or used with a carrier oil.

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