Bergamot belongs to the root family. Mankind has known about the beneficial properties of this plant since ancient times. One version of the origin of this plant says that it first appeared thanks to Chinese agronomists who managed to cross a lemon with an orange. The last fruit is not suitable for consumption as it has a specific bitter and sour taste. There is another version of the appearance of bergamot, according to which the plant appeared after the mutation of one of the species of orange tree. At the same time, a new type of citrus appeared not at all in the East, but in the Mediterranean city of Bergamo (Italy).
Appearance and growth environment
Bergamot looks like a small plant similar to a lemon. In the wild, it can not be found, since this species has a cultivated origin. Grass grows in countries with a warm sunny climate. Especially a lot of such vegetation can be found in the Italian province of Calabria, where the beneficial properties of bergamot are greatly appreciated.
A herbaceous plant from the root family has many varieties. Some of their decorative species are grown at home.
The mystery of the name
The origin of the name of the plant is also covered in mystery. One version says that earlier pear-shaped fruits of this citrus were called "Bergamo oranges." According to another theory, there are several varieties of pears, in the name of which there is an adjective indicating the origin or season when the fruits are ready for use. Also in the name is the noun "bergamot".
Secret of success
What are the beneficial properties of bergamot herb? First of all, the antiseptic and wound healing properties of the plant turned out to be very popular for people. It has long been used to cleanse the skin, relieve inflammation, and even to heal large wounds.
The use of bergamot in food will have a charitable effect on the digestive tract, it relieves cramping and soothes irritated digestive organs. After poisoning or other serious illnesses, it restores the appetite. Bergamot fruits help with colds, acting as a natural antipyretic, in addition, it normalizes the work of the respiratory system and strengthens the body, helping it cope with various viruses.
The oil obtained from the plant effectively fights herpes. It is also used to suppress many viral infections. Also, the oil can relieve cystitis, even with a serious stage of the disease.
In addition to the above properties, oil has a positive effect on the emotional sphere of a person: calms the nervous system, stops the depressive state, improves mood. Experts also recommend using the beneficial properties of bergamot as an aphrodisiac.
Bergamot contains a substance called bergapten. Thanks to it, the oil applied to the human skin, not completely absorbed, will make you more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. To avoid sunburn, it is necessary to take into account this property of the plant.
Application area
Bergamot oil is mainly obtained from the peel of the fetus. It is obtained for the perfume industry, less often in pharmacy and cosmetics. Sometimes butter is added to confectionery. Black tea with bergamot is very popular among gourmets.
In perfumery, the beneficial properties of bergamot were appreciated. The oil obtained from the plant is used not only to obtain a pronounced citrus aroma of perfume. It was also fond of the property of the extract to give a lot of pleasant smells after mixing with other essential oils. Many perfume compositions for men and women contain bergamot oil.
The role of bergamot in medicine
Bergapten, which, as previously mentioned, is contained in large quantities in the fruit of the plant, has found its application in pharmacy. Based on this substance, drugs were created to cure nesting baldness.
Bergamot oil due to their antiseptic and restorative effects is widely used in the cosmetics industry. It is added to hygiene products designed for oily and problem skin. Bergamot is able to narrow pores, remove redness on the skin, and also the substances that are in the plant control the sebaceous glands.
Italian culinary professionals use the pulp of the fruit, which has a pleasant taste and fresh aroma of marmalade, in their culinary masterpieces. Greek chefs make jam from bergamot and sugar, which is loved by local sweeteners.
Critical components
Many people are wondering - due to what beneficial properties has bergamot tea gained its popularity? One of the most useful components that make up the plant is cumin. In addition to it, the plant contains other substances that are beneficial to human health:
- antioxidants;
- retinoids;
- vitamins B and C.
Even ancient healers knew about the beneficial properties of the bergamot plant. The plant was used as an antiseptic. After compresses from finely chopped grass, abscesses absorbed. Decoctions from this miraculous plant helped people get rid of migraines and fever. Bergamot lowered body temperature for diseases, and also acted as an antipyretic.
Bergamot was also useful in suppuration of the gums, because after rinsing with the extract of this herb the pain disappeared over time, purulent inflammation resolved.
Over the years, scientists have appreciated all the beneficial properties of bergamot essential oils. Plant extract began to be actively used in modern hygiene products and dietary supplements. So, bergamot is added to mouthwashes for teeth and gums. Dentists claim that this supplement helps fight inflammation in the mouth. Also, the plant helps to strengthen the immune system, thanks to the use of this herb in food, a person confidently copes with infectious diseases.
Also, the miracle plant has regenerative, hemostatic and antimicrobial actions, due to which it has found application in chemotherapy. Bergamot broth is advised to drink after surgery, or after suffering a serious illness.
Bergamot has proven itself well and for external use. If there are rashes in the form of acne, experts recommend washing with a decoction of this plant. One way to combat seborrhea is to add a decoction to the shampoo when washing your hair. To relieve fatigue in the legs, make baths with an extract of this herb.
Thanks to the beneficial properties of bergamot, it can be used as a prophylactic for colds (otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis, flu).
Bergamot essential oil is very similar in its properties to peppermint, basil and lemon balm. All of them are actively used in aromatherapy. Pairs of healing oils clean the room, saving it from pathogenic microbes. In order to clean the upper respiratory tract, experts recommend inhalation with the addition of oil from bergamot.
The oil of this plant is used for severe body burns, treatment for abscesses, and even to relieve inflammation with an ingrown nail.
Bergamot in cooking
Culinary experts often add plant leaves as a seasoning in light vegetable salads, as well as in meat and soups. Such an additive normalizes metabolic processes in the body, as well as saturates it with vitamins and minerals.
Many summer residents, preparing for the winter, add bergamot to apple jam. This combination resembles the taste and smell of a rose.
Closing canned food for the winter, our grandmothers often added the upper part of the bergamot stem to the pickle jar, since it was believed that the plant was able to combat the appearance of black mold, which is dangerous for human health and life.
Also, grass is used to obtain a pleasant aroma during the manufacture of fruit drinks or kvass. The addition of this famous plant gives the soft drink a subtle lemon flavor.
Adding Bergamot to Tea
People often ask questions - what are the beneficial properties of black tea with bergamot, and why is it so popular almost all over the world? Its regular use will normalize the metabolism, relieve flatulence, improve the digestive system.
In folk medicine, drinks with the addition of bergamot are recommended to be used for liver diseases, gastrointestinal tract, as well as for problems with the gall bladder.
Tea with bergamot is drunk in case of poisoning, because it helps to alleviate the condition of the patient with diarrhea, vomiting, nausea.
Many people ask themselves this question - what are the beneficial properties and contraindications of bergamot? A drink with the addition of this plant will help a person relieve a neurosis-like state. Just one cup of a life-giving drink can quickly relieve anxiety and improve mood. After several days of daily use of a drink with bergamot, the level of hemoglobin in the blood increases markedly.
The constant use of tea with this plant improves lipid metabolism, detoxifies, lowers cholesterol, and increases triglycerides in the body. This drink is useful for people with atherosclerosis. It is proved that the regular use of bergamot helps to cleanse blood vessels from plaques, which prevents possible heart disease.
Bergamot infusion recipe
Pure dried grass will be even more beneficial. To prepare a fragrant and healthy drink from a miraculous plant, you need to pour 2 tablespoons of inflorescences and leaves of bergamot with boiling water (250 ml), then cover and wait 15 minutes. The product is ready to eat.
Bergamot Tea Recipe
True tea connoisseurs should be able to brew this wonderful drink together with healing bergamot. For cooking, you need 200 grams of black tea, as well as a few drops of bergamot oil. These components should be poured into a teapot, covered with a lid and wait five days, occasionally stirring the mixture.
In the future, tea with bergamot can be brewed in the usual way, pouring boiling water and insisting for about 5 minutes.
This drink goes well with natural honey. Royal family members in England prefer to drink such a drink with the addition of milk. As an appetizer, they prefer sweets or ham and cheese sandwiches.
Who does not recommend bergamot
Many people want to know - what are the contraindications and beneficial properties of bergamot? Like many other medicinal plants, it has several disadvantages. Before consuming a drink or oil from bergamot, please note that it should not be drunk by people who have:
- allergy to citruses;
- diabetes;
- hormonal imbalance;
- heart disease
- thyroid problems;
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- children's age (up to 12 years).
Many girls in the situation want to know about the useful properties and contraindications of tea with bergamot. It is also undesirable for pregnant women to consume this product, since in large quantities, grass can affect uterine contractions, as well as lead to internal bleeding.
For the above reasons, it is undesirable to use bergamot in any form to ladies who have diseases in terms of gynecology.
The nursing mother is haunted by the question - what are the beneficial properties and contraindications of the bergamot herb. During lactation, you can add bergamot to tea in small quantities, while making sure that the child does not have an allergic reaction to this product. While the baby is drinking mother's milk, mother is not advised to drink this drink more often 1-2 times a week.
Bergamot tea is best consumed in the daytime, as it activates the nervous system.