If you’re a devoted essential oils enthusiast, then you probably already know one important thing about this therapeutic niche: there’s an oil for pretty much everything, from quelling jittery nerves to stifling stubborn cold symptoms.
As far as versatility goes, Bergamot Essential Oil ranks high. Bergamot provides a myriad of therapeutic benefits for the whole body, so it’s perfect for tossing in your skincare arsenal, first-aid kit or de-stressing basket. Citrus oils are always popular, but this one is definitely one of the most loved of the bunch! Here’s why:
The Bergamot Profile: What It’s All About
Derived from the bergamot orange plant (Citrus bergamia), bergamot essential oil has a delightfully sweet, citrus scent with a warm, floral quality. Because of its lovely aromatic profile, oil derived from this fruit is a common ingredient in perfumes, skincare products, marmalade and, notably, Earl Grey tea. Commonly harvested and used in the Reggio di Calabria region of Italy, this citrus fruit oil contains many beneficial ingredients, including linalyl acetate and linalool, which are known for providing tons of benefits, including relief from discomfort. Here are some more therapeutic applications for this fruity essential oil:
- It Helps Ward Off Seasonal Threats—Like many good essential oils, bergamot is known to repel certain outdoor annoyances. In fact, it’s often employed in DIY insect repellents as a safer and gentler alternative to potentially harmful store-bought stuff. We love packing a bottle of roll-on bergamot in our bag during the summer so we always have easy access to a natural insect repellent on the go.
- It Calms You Down—The healing effects of bergamot make it a helpful aromatherapy tool for relieving worry and uplifting emotions. In fact, bergamot oil is commonly inhaled by cancer patients during radiation because it has the unique power of calming nervousness. You can apply it properly diluted directly onto your skin (always use bergapten-free bergamot to avoid sunburn) or enjoy its sweet aroma through a diffuser.
- It May Relieve Discomfort —If you’re wary of lofty essential oil claims, you’re right to be. There’s so much misinformation out there, so it’s important to do your research to decide for yourself what claims are real and what are just smoke and mirrors. There is some big promise for bergamot, though; a study from 2015 showed that the essential oil was effective in controlling neuropathic discomfort and may help ease symptoms associated with headaches.
- It Does Wonders for the Skin—Another great reason to add bergamot to your EO arsenal is that it’s known to help balance oily skin and other frustrating skin ailments in a way that’s relatively gentle. In fact, it’s often added to cleansers and moisturizers to gently help unclog pores and slough away excess oil and can be used in DIY formulas.
- It Soothes the Tummy—Bergamot oil can also help regulate your digestive system. People often use the sweet-smelling oil to help calm stomach upset, stomach aches and loss of appetite.
Buying Bergapten-Free Oil
Before you go slathering bergamot on yourself with wild abandon, you should know that the bergapten found within this oil can become toxic when exposed to UV rays, and can increase your risk of sunburn.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that, because bergapten on its own has a high level of phototoxicity, plants that produce this ingredient are classified as poisonous. But fear not! We are committed to providing safe, pure essential oils, so we only offer bergapten-free bergamot oil, which is completely safe for use in the sun.
If you love citrusy essential oils, we also recommend trying our Citrus Burst Synergy Blend or Lemon Essential Oil. Though similar to bergamot, these products have their own distinct qualities and benefits that you’ll love.
Listen to one of our Certified Aromatherapists, Retha Nesmith, discuss the benefits of Bergamot:
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I just purchased a new bottle of Bergamot as I was running out. I main use it to diffuse as I love the smell. But glad to know of its use for other things as well. Looking forward to adding this to my skin care regimen.
Interesting looking fruit. Now I wonder what it tastes like. I think I’ll need to give this oil a try. Mosquitoes are a big problem for me and I don’t love citronella. If this works and smells better, I’m in.0
I recently used Bergamot in a blend to help with an acne breakout. I combined it with Lavender, Tea Tree, and Frankincense. It’s worked wonders!!
I wasn’t familiar with Bergamot so thanks for the insight. I’m really looking forward to making the body powder!
Great article! I didn’t know there were so many uses. I use bergamot as an addition in my citrus blends. Such a great oil!
I bought bergamot on a whim and this is a pleasant surprise to see that it’s helpful for tummy and insects! I’m glad I’ll be getting lots of use out of this oil!
Bergamot is a favorite of mine simply because of the smell but now that I know that it has so many uses, I’m even more excited about it!
Earl Grey is one of my favorite teas, and I’m so glad to have found this bergamot oil! I’m diffusing it in the soon-to-be baby’s room right now and it smells amazing! Not too strong, but it keeps the room smelling fresh.
I love learning more purposes for oils. I primarily used bergamot for it’s uplifting scent, but now I have even more reasons to use it!
Bergamot is my favorite citrus! it’s so versatile and yummy!
I recently purchased Plant Therapy’s Bergamot Mint blend and I LOVE it. What a great new discovery!
Isn’t it amazing?! Bergamot and Peppermint are too of my favorite oils already, so Bergamot Mint is a favorite of mine too
Ive heard this was a good one – thanks for the info. Will try!
I waited a long time to buy Bergamot, but now that I have it, I LOVE it!
I agree, Liz! It’s one of my favorite oils 🙂
definitely my favorite oil! so versatile and pleasant. thank you for the info!!
I use bergamot oil a lot in my practice especially in a project which works with young people at risk of self harming. It has always been my go to oil for working with depression. However I do work with the whole oil cautioning my clients even in winter in case they decide to use uv tanning salons etc.
Cautioning EO use in tanning salons is a great precaution. Luckily with our Bergamot, it has no phototoxicity concerns. 🙂
Bergamot is one of my favorite oils – the scent is uplifting and relaxing. We use it in bath bombs and diffuser blends. I’m definitely going to try the KidSafe version without the photosensitivity risks for some skincare blends after reading this article!
Bergamot is one of my favorite essential oils. It is very relaxing and smells great!
Definitely one of my favorites, too!
Bergamot is my new favorite oil! Now I need to branch out from just diffusing it and put it to better use. Thank you for these other fantastic ways of using this oil.
i love bergamot too!
Bergamot EO is one of my absolute FAVS! My daughter and I make DIY bath bombs with it. But the best blessing I have found for it has been the calming, happy feelings it evokes/creates for my twelve year old preteen daughter. As she has naturally become more emotional and hormonal due to age and changes in her body, I have found a recipe of bergamot diluted and rubbed on the base of her neck, and clary sage on her feet, has been a game changer! Wow. What a calmer more even keel day she has.
We love Calming the Child, too. And Bergamot is one of our favorites!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Bergamont!! Fav Oil for sure! Thanks for the information
I couldn’t agree more Ashley! You are so welcome.
Bergamot has been in my top 5 EOs for years now mainly due to its calming and uplifting benefits. I swear I can feel my serotonin rise just from being around it. But, I had never known that it could help with upset stomachs till now! I have been trying to formulate a stomach potion for the summer, and this being bergapten free, is ideal! Perhaps a bit of tangerine and some Roman chamomile (as I cannot use blue oils, so no German)… and I think I’ll have the start of an experiment. Now I just need someone suffering stomach upset. Thanks for the great info!
Be sure to let us know how it turns out! It sounds like you have the makings of a great blend 🙂
I had no idea Bergamot was this versatile. I love this oil! It smells like candy!
Bergamot is amazing and great for so many things!
This was a great post to read because I’ve been considered picking up some bergamot oil for myself and it was furthered my want for the oil.
Bergamot is a great oil! It’s so FRESH and uplifting. I know you’ll love it!
I had no idea that bergamot was good for headaches & upset stomachs. I should be diffusing this more often!
Bergamot is amazing, and it’s useful for many different things!
Thank you for the great information about on of my favorite oils!
You’re so welcome and I’m glad to hear that you love it!
I’ve been thinking about getting Bergamot for ages. I think now is the time to do it!!
Seize the day, Lindsie! You won’t regret it!
Bergamot is one of my favorite oils! It smells so yummy and so bright and relaxing! We love to diffuse to freshen up the house.
Bergamot is hands down one of the most beautiful oils available to us. I love it on its own or paired with both Black Pepper and Blue Cypress. It’s fresh, bright and yet relaxing, wonderful in the bath or added to a body lotion, or great for cleaning too. It’s classic and adored by many.
I absolutely agree, Debbie. Bergamot is truly a remarkable oil. Right behind Blue Tansy. 😛
I really like these benefit blog posts. They are so helpful! thanks
That is what we like to hear Manja! I’m so glad you’re finding them helpful.
What a great oil … this one in particular is lovely when diffused <3
Bergamot is definitely one of my favorites too! What isn’t their to love?
Bergamot is an oil that everyone needs! Such a versatile scent, it can be blended so many ways and it is always amazing!
I couldn’t agree more! Bergamot is so useful for so many concerns. Definitely a must have for any essential oil user.
I absolutely love bergamot!! I diffuse it when I have a headache brought on from a stressful day. I also keep a roller of it handy in my purse!!
Bergamot is one of my favorites alone or with others (grapefruit and spearmint come to mind). It is one I keep in my purse for those days I find myself stuck in traffic.
It’s one of my favorites, too!
Bergamot is so versatile! Very interesting about the phototoxicity!
Thank you for reading this post, Carol! We are glad you enjoyed it!
I love the scent of Bergamot. Time to put it to more use with these ideas. Thanks!
Thank you for your comment! We love the scent of Bergamot, too — it’s such a wonderful oil!
I ran out of lavender and was using my bergamot in its place in a lot of ways until I got more. It seemed to be so versatile, and now you have given me even more ways to use it. And it smells so lovely! Thanks for the information.
Glad this was helpful for you!!
One of my favorites. Never realized it would help with tummy trouble.
Bergamot is good for SO many things. It’s one of my favorite oils.
I love bergamot. I never thought about it for stomach. I will be making a note of that in my oily binder.
That’s great, Cyndi! We are glad you learned something new about bergamot!
I love Bergamot! It’s so versatile and smells fantastic! Definitely a favorite of mine! So happy to have further information on it!
I definitely agree, Kathy — Bergamot is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Bergamot is absolutely one of my favorites!! I love blending it with lavender and mandarin.
Bergamot is my absolute favourite, and now I know so many more reasons why! Will be trying it in a few more home made goodies, thankyou PT for the info 🙂
You are very welcome, Kassondra! We are so glad you’re going to try a few new things with Bergamot – it’s such a wonderful oil!
Loved this blog post! I’m going to add some bergamot to my nightly oil cleanse!! Thanks
Thank you for sharing, Josephine! Bergamot is truly an amazing oil!
Thank you for explaining why some bergamot is photo-toxic and others aren’t. Great info on an amazing oil!
it is my FAV CITRUS!!!!!!
Mine too, Mel!
I just started using Bergamot oil and it is now a favorite! I love using it in a bath, it has done wonders with my skin! I just ordered the Bergamot mint this week to try as well!
Bergamot is truly an amazing oil! I love it in a lot of products, including body wash. 🙂
I keep seeing every rave about bergamot and now I think I need It! Those fruits looks so crazy too. Has anyone eaten a bergamot fruit?
I have been using peppermint oil for an upset stomach, but have been looking for a kid-safe alternative I can use in my room diffuser instead of a personal inhaler. I think I am going to have to give this oil a try now! Thank you for this informative article!
I think Bergamot was the first essential oil that I purchased from Plant Therapy. It’s my favorite mood lifter! It has such a wonderful aroma while diffusing that you can’t help but love it.
I was glad to learn that it’s good for the skin, is a bug repellent and even good for the tummy! Thank you for all the good info!
I love this essential oil it’s so versatile and now that I’ve learned more about it, I understand why! Awesome oil! Perfectly citrusy sweet!
I couldn’t agree more! Bergamot is definitely a favorite for a lot of people. It’s a great go-to for so many reasons! Thanks for sharing, Celinie!
Should I give bergamot another chance? I bought bergamot two years ago but there wasn’t much of a scent.. Was it simply an issue with the batch the aroma is very very faint compared to the steam distilled lime..
Or is the scent supposed to be weak??
I am replying to my post lol.
I am glad that I ordered bergamot again. Maybe the previous one I got lost its therapeutic properties as I wasn’t educated in proper storage of essential oils yet.
I am now a fan. I mixed bergamot with black pepper in aloe jelly for my stomachache. Somehow I also had a sound sleep too! Thanks for your blog post.
Karen, thank you for sharing your useful blend, the combination sounds amazing!
Love Bergamot and how versatile it is. Didn’t realise it was good for tummy issues too though! Thanks for a great post 🙂
Bergamot is amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed this article!
Love Bergamot with other citrus scents – especially lime!!!
Yes! I love Bergamot SO much. It was my first favorite oil. 🙂
Love, love ,love my bergamot!
Me too, Stephanie!!
I use this for calming as I am a super anxious person but I will have to try some of the other uses!
Bergamot is such a versatile oil; we are thrilled you’re going to explore all of its possibilities, Stephanie — have fun!
Very interesting! I appreciate you guys sharing this!
We are so glad you enjoyed this post! Thank you for sharing!
Bergamot looks like a squished Lime… so cute! I love using Bergmot and always like learning new uses for it. Will definitely add to my inspect repellent DIY and skin care routine. Very bright and perfum-ey aroma too!
I agree, Jocelyn! Bergamot is absolutely wonderful and blends well with so many other oils! We love it here!
Wonder how it would work on an itchy rash. Have been to Dr several times already. Thanks
I love this to use with the body butter i make and on my homemade aromatherapy braclets that i make
Isn’t bergamot wonderful? That’s a great idea to use it on your aromatherapy bracelets! Thank you for sharing!
I need to start using this more!
I love Bergamot. I start to panic when my bottle gets down to half full. It blends well with so many oils.
Bergamot is one of my favorite oils and my go-to when I need a mood booster!
I am right there with you, Bobbi — I LOVE bergamot! Thank you for sharing!
I love bergamot! I add it to most of my diffuser blends, it just smells so good! Thanks for all the info, I did not know many of those benefits.
Mel, we are so glad you learned something new from this post! Bergamot is such a wonderful oil and blends so well with many others — thank you for sharing!
I like bergamot a lot and often use it with other calming oils for relaxation.
That is a great idea, Amanda. Personally, I love blending bergamot with just a touch of patchouli, and it is very calming! Thank you for sharing!
Love bergamot! Thanks for the bug repellent link too, I didn’t realize bergamot was good for that.
Bergamot is my absolute favorite oil. It really helps ease my anxiety. I had no clue it helps with tummy troubles, though! Thanks for this post.
You are welcome, Gena! Glad you were able to learn something new about the wonderful bergamot!
I LOVE bergamont! I think it was one of the first oils I bought, and one that I have backups of. I use it to energize me, calm me, and relax me. It blends so good with others too
Bergamot is one of my favorites for all the same reasons!
this is one of my favorite oils!!! I use it to focus and help with stomach issues. we never run out of this oil!!
I just received some bergamot this week. So the timing of this is perfect.
That’s great, Nicole! It’s fun when things just work out perfectly. Enjoy your bergamot!
I really need to get a bottle of this!
Yes you do!
We love our Bergamot. Thank you for more information on it.
Glad you love it! Bergamot is one of my favorites, too!