5+ reasons as to why bergamot is an essential oil you should always have around

Bergamot oranges, a small, green citrus fruit grown in southern Italy, is good for more than just tea and cooking. Due the bitterness of the fruit, it is generally not eaten, but, rather, the peel is used in cooking. Bergamot oil is used to make Earl Grey tea as well.
Probably the biggest use of bergamot oranges, though, is to make bergamot oil. This oil comes from the peel of the fruit and is used in many home remedies. Here are 5+ ways to put bergamot oil to use in your home.
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1. Reduce stress. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, inhaling bergamot essential oil vapor may help reduce stress. There are two ways to create the vapor: place a few drops in a pan of hot water or use a diffuser.
2. Increase mental awareness. If feeling like you're operating in a fog, WebMD recommends having bergamot oil diffused in the area you work. It should help increase your mental awareness.
3. Reduce anxiety. When fighting anxiety, lavender is commonly thought of as the go-to oil. The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that inhaling bergamot may also help decrease your feelings of anxiety and reduce your heart rate.
4. Fight flu. No one wants to catch the flu, so Medical News Today reminds people that bergamot oil is "effective against flu viruses as a vapor after just 10 minutes of exposure."
5. Alleviate irritable bowl disease. The U.S. National Library of Medicine released information stating that bergamot juice extract appears to help with treating irritable bowl disease symptoms.
6. Heal wounds. This essential oil has long been used in Italy for treating wounds and helping them heal. Medical News Today states that the antimicrobial abilities of the oil may be why it's effective. Cut the oil with a carrier oil before using it topically.
7. Hair growth. Will you regrow all your hair if you're bald? Probably not, but Medical News Today does share that it does appear to stimulate the scalp, leading to better hair growth. Combine 2 to 3 drops of bergamot essential oil with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil like coconut oil. Massage this mixture into your scalp for 2 to 3 minutes. It's best to apply it at night before bed.
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Remember that if you apply the oil topically, you should avoid being out in the sun. As with any home remedy, speak with your doctor before trying it just to make sure it's safe for you.
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RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.