Bergamot is a versatile herbal plant from the mint family. It has flowers with colors that vary from dark pink, to red and purple. The medicinal properties of bergamot plant are found in its fruits, flowers and leaves. Bergamot is available in health and beauty shop in oil, cream, ointment and tea form.

Bergamot oil is the most common product of bergamot plant in the market, the essential oil of Bergamot has a delicate, light, citrusy and floral scent. In addition to its relaxing scent it also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. The oil is usually made from the inedible bitter green, pear shaped citrus fruit of the bergamot tree. The peel of the fruit when cold pressed releases pale emerald green oil.

Bergamot tea: To make a refreshing and relaxing tea just pour five or six large fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried leaves in 8 ounces boiling water.

Medicinal uses:

• Modern herbalists recommend Bergamot tea for sore throats, coughs, colds, nausea. This is because Bergamot contains thymol, which has shown to be effective in destroying bacteria.
• Bergamot tea is also use in cases of diarrhea and menstrual cramps.
• Bergamot is use as an aphrodisiac. Just blend a few drops of bergamot oil with coriander, rose, jasmine and sandalwood oil. Use these essential oils with carrier oil like almond dab drops of the mixture on your pillow and bed sheet to have a passionate night with your partner.
• Bergamot oil when added to a warm bath helps to reduce muscle tension and therefore helps to reduce anxiety and stress. You can also pour a few drops in a bowl of boiling water and you will experience relief within a few minutes.
• Bergamot oil when use as facial steam can help acne prone individuals. Just add a few drops of bergamot oil to the water that you will use to steam your face and you will be acne free for days.
• Topically bergamot will help problem skin, especially when it is linked to stress - such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Culinary uses:

• Bergamot leaves when added to some recipes can help improves the flavor of pork dishes.
• The leaves are used in fruit drinks and the petals for decorating salads.

Other uses:

• Bergamot creates a warm welcoming scent in any places that is why it is normally used in hallways and places where guests enter.
• Bergamot peel is used in making perfume because of its ability to combine with an array of scents to form a bouquet of aromas which complement each other.
• Bergamot can help remove bad odor in your room. Just mix bergamot oil with lemon oil and lime juice and use it in a burner to get rid of any bad odor.
• Bergamot leaves and flowers add color and scent to potpourri.