The Apothecary

Disclaimer
The information from The Apothecary is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. If you rely upon any programs or techniques, or use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of our shop or website for decision making, without obtaining the advice of a physician or other health care professional, you do so at your own risk. The information in our shop and on our website is not intended to cure, diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor is it a substitute for medical advice. We strongly advise you to consult with your medical doctor or a knowledgeable health practitioner before using any essential oils internally to ensure a safe and optimal program for your individual body and do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substances for health conditions that require professional attention.

Ashlí Miréla
BCompMed. mFENACO/Naturopath. S.E.N (SANC). DipNut. DipAdv DTM. DipArom. YTTC.

Opening the Apothecary, we introduce the essential oil Bergamot. You may be familiar with the distinctive taste of Earl & Lady Grey teas, flavoured by Bergamot and nearly ⅓ of all perfumes contain Bergamot.

BERGAMOT

Botanical name: Citrus bergamia.

Origin: Mainly Southern Italy & United States.

Part used: Rind of fruit.

Method of extraction: cold expression.

Type of plant: Small tree growing to 5 metres, has star-shaped white flowers & little yellow-green citrus fruits.

Aroma characteristics: Fresh, floral, spicy, light lemon/orange aroma, uplifting & very refreshing.

Blends well with: the Chamomiles, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Neroli, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose and Ylang Ylang

Therapeutic properties:

▪ analgesic ▪ antibacterial ▪ antidepressant ▪ antiseptic (pulmonary and genito-urinary) ▪ antispasmodic ▪ antiviral ▪ astringent ▪ calmative ▪ carminative (prevents & expels intestinal gas) ▪ digestive ▪ diuretic ▪ laxative ▪ parasiticidal ▪ rubefacient (promotes blood flow to skin) ▪ stomachic (improves the appetite) ▪ stimulant ▪ tonic ▪ vulnerary (wound healing).

Therapeutic uses:

Digestive system: loss of appetite, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, indigestion
Immune system: fevers, flu’s, colds & infectious diseases.
Nervous system: alleviates stress and anxiety, depression and stress-related conditions, promotes feelings of peaceful relaxation due to its refreshing and uplifting qualities.
Respiratory system: reduces cold symptoms, comforts coughs, asthma, bronchitis & catarrh, reduces halitosis, mouth infections, and aids with sore throat & tonsillitis.
Skin care: acne, balances oily skin, psoriasis, abscesses, spots, varicose ulcers, wounds, soothes cold sores, itchy skin & insect bites.
Genito-urinary system: infections such as cystitis, leucorrhoea, pruritis & thrush.

Psychological profile:

Bergamot is a very uplifting oil to both body & mind, it is very helpful for dampening down anger, anxiety, depression, despair, grief, lack of confidence, nervous tension, negativity and worry, thus making it an excellent choice for stress-related conditions and depression.

Safety advice: Bergamot and other citrus oils are phototoxic which means they can cause skin sensitisation and skin discolouration in bright sunlight. These oils should be not be applied to the skin before direct exposure to sunlight.

All the essential oils highlighted in this column are available at The Emporium of the Enchanted Forest (inside the VaVa Yoga Studio), and you can explore our Apothecary and discuss any questions you may have with me, Ashlí.