Everyone knows about tea with bergamot, but not everyone knows what this very bergamot looks like and what it is.
Bergamot is a plant of the rutaceae family. This is a very large family: it contains trees, shrubs, and herbs, and they are united by one property - they contain a lot of essential oils.
Citrus fruits, which include bergamot, are also a subfamily of rutaceae. Bergamot does not grow in nature - it is believed that it was bred by man. However, there is no exact information about this: it is assumed that this happened in China, but scientists do not know exactly when it happened. There is another version, very interesting: bergamot is not a hybrid - its appearance is caused by a mutation of orange.
In Europe, bergamot began to be grown in Italy - in the province of Calabria. The name of the fruit, according to one version, comes from the name of the city of Bergamo - bergamot plantations were established near this city, and at one time it was even called the “Bergamo orange”. It is believed that French perfumers were the first to learn to use bergamot, wanting to give perfume a lively aroma. According to other sources, bergamot was first used in Italy, creating a cologne based on its essential oil, and this happened back in the 14th century, in one of the Florentine monasteries. Until the second half of the 17th century, no one could find out the secret of making “aqua regina” - “royal water”, although many tried. And only a pharmacist from Cologne managed to do this, so today most people think that cologne - “Eau De Cologne”, “Cologne Water” - really first appeared in this city.
As we can see, the history of bergamot in human society began with its use in the production of perfumes - an area where it is successfully used today. More precisely, bergamot oil is used in perfumery and cosmetology, and very widely. In the south of Italy, bergamot is still grown: it grows well there because it loves warmth and humidity. Other regions where it also grows, although in slightly smaller quantities, are China, India, the countries of the Black Sea coast, and the Caucasus. The bergamot tree can reach a height of 10 meters and its branches are thorny; but when the tree blooms, its flowers are very beautiful, and their smell is simply wonderful. The tree bears fruit from early autumn until winter, like many citrus fruits, and the cut fruit of bergamot looks like a lemon or orange. It must be said that bergamot is most often grown specifically to obtain essential oil: it is obtained not only from the peel of the fruit, but also from the flowers, leaves and even young shoots of the plant.
Bergamot has medicinal properties and is therefore used in medicine. In those days when there were no antibiotics, it was used as an antiseptic: a balm was prepared from it, which was good for skin infections and inflammations. Even for serious wounds, the bergamot fruit was used: it was cut and applied to the damaged area. To this day, bergamot is used in the treatment of viral and colds, to strengthen the immune system and improve sexual function. Bargamot relieves spasms and soothes, improves digestion; tea with bergamot, which is loved by many, helps cleanse the skin and disappear pigment spots, tones and reduces enlarged pores. Aromatic, slightly spicy tea with bergamot has a special, refined and delicate taste, helps relieve fatigue, get rid of stress and the effects of tension.
The most commonly used essential oil is bergamot, which is quite easy to obtain. If you squeeze the bergamot peel with your hands, you can already get an oil - a light emerald green color. The aroma of bergamot oil is amazing: it is floral, and there are hints of lemon and orange in it, but not sour, but sweet and fragrant. The highest quality oil is the one that is squeezed by hand: if you squeeze the peel of a thousand fruits, you will get about 900 ml of oil. Bergamot oil is used in the treatment of skin infections and acne, in the care of oily skin of the face and scalp, to relieve irritation after insect bites - it helps relieve stress from the skin.
In the perfume industry, bergamot oil is used together with rosemary, orange, and neroli oil: perfume and cologne manufacturers really like the fruity-floral aroma of this green fruit. The smell of such a perfume is invigorating and refreshing, improves mood and helps maintain a balance between calm and excitement, as it has a beneficial effect on the hypothalamus, which is responsible for emotions.
When a person is in an unstable emotional state, bergamot oil relieves anxiety and fear, despondency and depression. A person’s psyche stabilizes, his self-esteem rises, and a feeling of joy and happiness appears. Psychologists have learned to use this property to help people improve communication skills, stimulate creativity, imagination and thinking. The fact that bergamot oil promotes concentration and clarity of thinking has long been known, so those who are going to a difficult exam or an important interview are recommended to inhale a mixture of bergamot, grapefruit and lavender oils. For those who find it difficult to get up in the morning, it is recommended to take a shower with gel or soap that contains bergamot. For headaches and tension in the neck, a massage with grape seed oil, to which a few drops of essential oils of bergamot and neroli have been added, will help. Abdominal massage with bergamot oil helps improve the digestion process and stimulate appetite, especially for those who need to recover from a serious illness. In cosmetology, bergamot oil is used to care for oily and combination skin: it relieves inflammation and normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands, destroys pathogenic fungi and parasites. For colds and runny nose, bergamot oil is used to reduce fever, relieve inflammation of the nasopharynx, and cleanse the sinuses. In aromatherapy today, bergamot oil is used very often - both separately and in combination with other oils. Bergamot is also included in many dietary supplements recommended for strengthening the immune system and improving overall health. Bergamot oil has many beneficial properties: heals wounds, deodorizes, has a diuretic and even anthelmintic effect. In nursing mothers, provided that bergamot oil is tolerated normally, lactation increases.
The bergamot fruit tastes rather tasteless - it is sourish-bitter, so it has not taken root in cooking, but in those countries where it grows, marmalade is made from it or candied fruits are boiled. Bergamot is unpretentious and can be grown in a room, like a lemon or an orange, especially since its appearance can decorate any interior. The plant is not as demanding on soil as other citrus fruits and is more resistant to dryness, but loves light and moisture. In summer, it is better to take bergamot out into the air, and in winter to keep it in the sun, but the room should not be too hot.
In summer, the plant is watered abundantly, and in winter, little by little with warm water. With regular feeding and proper crown formation, the plant will bear fruit, like other citrus fruits, from 1 to 4 times a year.
