Bergamot belongs to the rue family. The beneficial properties of this plant have been known to mankind 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 very suitable for eating, 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 a mutation of one of the species of the 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 growing environment
Bergamot looks like a small plant that looks like a lemon. It is not found in the wild, as 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 highly valued.
A herbaceous plant from the rue family hasmany varieties. Some of their decorative species are grown at home.
Mystery of the name
The origin of the name of the plant is also shrouded in mystery. One version says that earlier the pear-shaped fruits of this citrus were called "bergama oranges". According to another theory, there are several varieties of pears that have an adjective in their name indicating the origin or time of year when the fruits are ready to eat. The name also contains the noun "bergamot".
The secret of success
What are the he alth benefits 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 heal large wounds.
Eating bergamot will have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract, it relieves spasms and soothes irritated digestive organs. After poisoning or other serious illnesses, he restores appetite. Bergamot fruits help with colds, acting as a natural antipyretic, in addition, it normalizes the respiratory system and strengthens the body, helping it cope with various kinds of viruses.
The oil obtained from the plant effectively fights herpes. It is also used to suppress many viral infections. Also, the oil can get rid of cystitis, even with a severe stage of the disease.
In addition to the above properties, the oil has a positive effect onthe emotional sphere of a person: calms the nervous system, stops a depressive state, improves mood. Also, experts recommend using the beneficial properties of bergamot as an aphrodisiac.
Bergamot contains a substance called bergapten. Thanks to him, the oil applied to human skin, without being completely absorbed, will make you more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. To avoid sunburn, this property of the plant must be taken into account.
Scope of application
Bergamot oil is mainly obtained from the peel of the fruit. It is mined for the perfume industry, less often - in pharmacy and cosmetics. Sometimes oil is added to confectionery. Black tea with bergamot is a big hit with gourmets.
In perfumery, the beneficial properties of bergamot were appreciated. The oil obtained from the plant is used for more than just a strong citrus scent in perfumes. It also fell in love with the property of the extract to give a lot of pleasant smells after mixing with other essential oils. Many perfumes for men and women contain bergamot oil.
The role of bergamot in medicine
Bergapten, which, as mentioned earlier, is found in large quantities in the fruit of the plant, has found its application in pharmacy. On the basis of this substance, medicines were created to cure nest baldness.
Bergamot oil for its antiseptic and regenerative propertieswidely used in the cosmetic industry. It is added to hygiene products designed to care for oily and problem skin. Bergamot is able to narrow pores, relieve redness on the skin, and the substances contained in the plant control the functioning of 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 the fruit of bergamot and sugar, which is loved by local sweet tooth.
Essential Components
Many people wonder - thanks to what beneficial properties did bergamot tea gain 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 he alth:
- antioxidants;
- retinoids;
- vitamins B and C.
Even ancient healers knew about the beneficial properties of the bergamot plant. The plant has been used as an antiseptic. After compresses from finely chopped grass, abscesses resolved. Decoctions from this miraculous plant helped people get rid of migraines and fevers. Bergamot lowered body temperature during illness and also acted as an antipyretic.
Bergamot was also useful for suppuration of the gums, because after rinsing with the extract of this herb, the pain disappeared over time, purulent inflammation resolved.
Years laterscientists have evaluated all the beneficial properties of bergamot essential oils. The plant extract has been actively used in modern hygiene products and dietary supplements. So, bergamot is added to rinses for teeth and gums. Dentists claim that this supplement helps fight inflammation in the oral area. 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 regenerating, hemostatic and antimicrobial effects, thanks to which it has found application in chemotherapy. A decoction of bergamot is also advised to drink after surgery, or after a serious illness.
Bergamot has proven itself well when applied externally. In the presence of 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, baths are made with the extract of this herb.
Due to the beneficial properties of bergamot, it can be used as a prophylactic against colds (otitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, flu).
Bergamot essential oil is very similar in properties to peppermint, basil and lemon melissa. All of them are actively used in aromatherapy. Pairs of healing oils cleanse the room, ridding it of pathogenic microbes. In order to clear the upper respiratory tract, experts recommend doing inhalations with the addition of bergamot oil.
Oil givenplants are used for severe burns of the body, the treatment of abscesses, and even to relieve inflammation with an ingrown toenail.
Bergamot in cooking
Cookers often add the leaves of the plant as a seasoning to light vegetable salads, as well as meats and soups. Such an additive normalizes metabolic processes in the body, and also saturates it with vitamins and trace elements.
Many summer residents, preparing for winter, add bergamot to apple jam. This combination is reminiscent of the taste and smell of a rose.
Our grandmothers, closing canned food for the winter, often added the upper part of the bergamot stem to the jar with s alting, because it was believed that the plant was able to fight the appearance of black mold, which was dangerous to human he alth and life.
Also, the herb is used to obtain a pleasant aroma during the manufacture of fruit drink or kvass. The addition of this famous herb adds a subtle lemon flavor to soft drinks.
Adding bergamot to tea
People often ask questions - what are the benefits of black tea with bergamot, and why is it so popular almost all over the world? Its regular use will normalize metabolism, relieve flatulence, improve the functioning of the digestive system.
In folk medicine, drinks with the addition of bergamot are advised to be used for diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and also for problems with the gallbladder.
Tea with bergamot is drunk in case of poisoning, because it helps to alleviate the patient's condition with diarrhea, vomiting,nausea.
Many people ask 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 refreshing drink can quickly relieve anxiety and improve mood. After several days of drinking a drink with bergamot, the level of hemoglobin in the blood noticeably increases.
Constant use of tea with this plant improves lipid metabolism, removes toxins, lowers cholesterol, increases triglycerides in the body. Such a drink is useful for people suffering from atherosclerosis. It has been proven that regular use of bergamot helps cleanse blood vessels from plaque, which prevents possible heart disease.
Bergamot infusion recipe
Even more beneficial is the use of dried herb in its pure form. To prepare a fragrant and he althy drink from a miraculous plant, you need to pour boiling water (250 ml) 2 tablespoons of inflorescences and leaves of bergamot, then cover and wait 15 minutes. The product is ready to use.
Bergamot tea recipe
True connoisseurs of tea should be able to properly brew this wonderful drink together with healing bergamot. For preparation, you will need 200 grams of black tea, as well as a few drops of bergamot oil. These ingredients should be poured into a teapot, closed with a lid and wait five days, stirring the mixture occasionally.
Bfurther 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. Members of the royal families 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 should not recommend bergamot
Many people want to know - what are the contraindications and beneficial properties of bergamot? Like many other medicinal plants, it has a number of disadvantages. Before drinking a drink or oil from bergamot, please note that it should not be drunk by people with:
- allergic to citruses;
- diabetes mellitus;
- hormonal imbalance;
- heart disease;
- thyroid problems;
- chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
- Children's age (up to 12 years).
Many pregnant girls want to know about the beneficial properties and contraindications of bergamot tea. It is also undesirable for pregnant women to use this product, since in large quantities the herb can affect the contraction of the uterus, as well as lead to internal bleeding.
For the above reasons, it is undesirable to use bergamot in any form for ladies with gynecological diseases.
Nursing mothers are haunted by the question - what are the beneficial properties and contraindications of bergamot grass. During lactation, you can add bergamot to tea in small amounts.quantities, while it is necessary to ensure that the child does not have an allergic reaction to this product. While the baby is drinking mother's milk, mom is not advised to drink this drink more than 1-2 times a week.
Bergamot tea is best consumed during the daytime as it activates the nervous system.
