My doctor recently recommended bergamot oil as part of a cardiovascular health protocol (along with nattokinase and a unique blend of vitamin E). Though I was familiar with the positive effects of inhaling the oil, I hadn’t looked too much into the heart health benefits.



I thought, for my own benefit as well as yours, I’d put together a complete guide on bergamot essential oil. I hope you find it helpful.



What is Bergamot Essential Oil?



Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a close cousin to the orange, though it is not sweet. Native to Italy, some believe it's a hybrid of a lemon or a lime and an orange. It may also originate from Greece, the Canary Islands, or Antilles.



To extract the essential oil, bergamot is either cold-pressed or vacuum distilled. 



Bergamot is a staple in the perfume industry, as the citrus scent complements other scents and fixes and amplifies the combination. It's also found in essential oil products, desserts, and tea. If you've ever sipped Earl Grey Tea, you've tasted bergamot.



The juice may also offer health benefits as it's been shown to be anti-inflammatory and has anti-cancer properties.



The essential oil contains high levels of limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate. It also contains γ-terpinene, and β-pinene.




Bergamot essential oil is one of the main basic constituents for the manufacture of perfumes, due to its ability to fix the aromatic bouquet of aromas and harmonize all of the essences, enhancing the fragrance. BEO is also used by the pharmaceutical industry, both to absorb the unpleasant smells of medicinal products and for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Finally, BEO is used in the food and confectionery industries as a flavoring.
Navarra M, et al.



Health Benefits of Bergamot Essential Oil



Bergamot essential oil (BEO) has a long history of use in traditional or folk medicine. Many of such benefits have yet to be proven through clinical research. However, there's clear support for bergamot's effect on mood and stress, and growing research on its impact on heart health.



Stress Reduction & Improved Mood



Researchers have studied the stress-relieving effects of bergamot in healthy adults and those with mental or physical dysfunction or disease.



For example:




Listening to soft music and inhaling Citrus bergamia essential oil was found to be an effective method of relaxation, as indicated by a shift of the autonomic balance toward parasympathetic activity in young healthy individuals.
Peng SM, et al.



Some studies included only bergamot essential oil when testing its impact on stress and anxiety, while others included bergamot with a blend of other oils like lavender, ylang ylang, frankincense, and cedarwood.



Most studies showed that inhalation of bergamot alone or as part of a blend relieved stress and lowered feelings of anxiety. Perhaps, diffusing bergamot could help with symptoms of irritable male syndrome too.



Heart Health



Elevated blood pressure can lead to blood vessel damage, so natural methods of controlling blood pressure may support long-term cardiovascular health.



Because inhalation of BEO stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, it helps lower blood pressure and heart rate, which may reduce the chance or rate of developing heart disease.



In addition, various bergamot extracts have positive effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol. However, the strongest evidence seems to come from extracts of the juice and not the essential oil. It’s possible a compound found in both offers benefits, but more research is needed. That said, my doctor did recommend bergamot oil for my cardiovascular health protocol, so he must have seen good results with previous patients to justify the recommendation.



Bergavit, a supplement designed with bergamot juice, not essential oil, also shows promising cardiovascular health benefits. In a clinical study, the extract significantly lowered LDL cholesterol in those with high cholesterol le...