- Bergamot orange trees, indigenous to Calabria, Italy, are part of the Rutaceae family and Citrus genus. The peel of the pear-shaped fruit contains essential oils and other bioactive constituents. Bergamot juice is used for nutritional purposes. The bergamot orange is unrelated to North American herbs also known as bergamot, which belong to the genus Monarda (bee balm or Oswego tea). This monograph exclusively encompasses bergamot orange.
- The essential oil of bergamot contains the constituents that produce the pleasing odor that made it popular in cosmetics in the past and in aromatherapy today. Because bergamot may cause an adverse reaction to sunlight or ultraviolet light, its usefulness in substances that are applied to the skin is limited. However, research continues on its potential beneficial effects for the skin. Promising research is continuing on the antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of constituents in bergamot essential oil.
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ingredients
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Contents
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- Bailey, D. G., Malcolm, J., Arnold, O., et al. Grapefruit juice-drug interactions. 1998. Br.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 2004;58(7):S831-S840.
View Abstract - Dijoux, N., Guingand, Y., Bourgeois, C., et al. Assessment of the phototoxic hazard of some essential oils using modified 3T3 neutral red uptake assay. Toxicol.In Vitro 2006;20(4):480-489.
View Abstract - Dugo, P., Presti, M. L., Ohman, M., et al. Determination of flavonoids in citrus juices by micro-HPLC-ESI/MS. J.Sep.Sci. 2005;28(11):1149-1156.
View Abstract - Finsterer, J. Earl Grey tea intoxication. Lancet 4-27-2002;359(9316):1484.
View Abstract - Fisher, K. and Phillips, C. A. The effect of lemon, orange and bergamot essential oils and their components on the survival of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in food systems. J Appl Microbiol 2006;101(6):1232-1240.
View Abstract - Graham, P. H., Browne, L., Cox, H., et al. Inhalation aromatherapy during radiotherapy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial. J.Clin.Oncol. 6-15-2003;21(12):2372-2376.
View Abstract - Gruson, L. M. and Chang, M. W. Berloque dermatitis mimicking child abuse. Arch.Pediatr.Adolesc.Med. 2002;156(11):1091-1093.
View Abstract - Hwang, J. H. [The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension]. Taehan Kanho.Hakhoe.Chi 2006;36(7):1123-1134.
View Abstract - Kaddu, S., Kerl, H., and Wolf, P. Accidental bullous phototoxic reactions to bergamot aromatherapy oil. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 2001;45(3):458-461.
View Abstract - Kiani, J. and Imam, S. Z. Medicinal importance of grapefruit juice and its interaction with various drugs. Nutr.J. 2007;6:33.
View Abstract - Luchini, A. C., Rodrigues-Orsi, P., Cestari, S. H., Seito, L. N., Witaicenis, A., Pellizzon, C. H., and Di Stasi, L. C. Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of coumarin and 4-hydroxycoumarin in the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid model of rat colitis. Biol.Pharm.Bull. 2008;31(7):1343-1350.
View Abstract - Placzek, M., Fromel, W., Eberlein, B., et al. Evaluation of phototoxic properties of fragrances. Acta Derm.Venereol. 2007;87(4):312-316.
View Abstract - Sanguinetti, M., Posteraro, B., Romano, L., et al. In vitro activity of Citrus bergamia (bergamot) oil against clinical isolates of dermatophytes. J.Antimicrob.Chemother. 2007;59(2):305-308.
View Abstract - Statti, G. A., Conforti, F., Sacchetti, G., et al. Chemical and biological diversity of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) in relation to environmental factors. Fitoterapia 2004;75(2):212-216.
View Abstract - Wiebe, E. A randomized trial of aromatherapy to reduce anxiety before abortion. Eff Clin Pract 2000;3(4):166-169.
View Abstract
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