A variety of citrus tree and an herb of the mint family are both known by the name bergamot, but the essential oil of bergamot is extracted from the bergamot orange called Citrus bergamia. This small tree bearing edible fruit that fall somewhere between lemon and grapefruit in taste grows mainly in Mediterranean climate. It is named after the Italian city of Bergamo, the original place of bergamot oil trade. The essential oil is cold pressed from the rind of the fruit, with about a hundred fruits yielding up to 3 ounces of oil. The sweet-smelling oil is widely used in perfumery as well as a food flavoring agent, particularly in Earl Grey Tea and Turkish delight. Some of the active agents in bergamot oil are alpha pinene, limonene, alpha bergaptene, beta bisabolene, nerol, geraniol, linalool and alpha terpineol. Bergamot is rich in polyphenolic compounds, and has the distinction of being the only citrus fruit to contain melitidin and brutieridin proven to have an anti cholesterol effect comparable to statins.

The main components of essential oils are linalyl acetate ( 60%), linalool (22%) . Furocoumarins are bergapten, bergamottin, citropten and also some alcohol.

USES OF BERGAMOT OIL :

1. Cicatrisant:-This property of oil is efficiently use by cosmetic industry to make deodorants ,lotions,soap,creams,skin moisturizer.It is also used in ointments or tretain skin marks and acne scars. 2. Febrifuge:-It is used in making various Antipyretic medicine because it accelerates the gland secration and of the Eccrine glands and sebum glands.It also provides immunity against the various bacteria and protozoa which causes fever,influenza. 3. Analgesic: this essential oil calm down the feeling of pain in the body. It stimulates secretion of Eicosanoid hormones which stops nerves to pain. Therefore, it is used in making pill which treats headaches, sprains, muscle aches . 4. Antidepressant & Stimulant: Alpha Pinene and Limonene present in oil are antidepressant and stimulating in nature. They give a sense of boosting ,pleasure , freshness in the state of depression by accelerating the circulation of the blood. 5. Antiperspirant:- Bergamot AB 430 chemical is the main reason why it used in making deodorants.as it inhibits the growth of microbes causing body odor.