Should I add bergamot to tea? Product benefits and disadvantages

Tea with bergamot is one of the rather popular drinks that not only connoisseurs like to pamper themselves, but also from time to time all comers. Strong and very pleasant aroma makes tea unusually tasty. However, what is bergamot, the benefits and harms of this flavor, how to extract and use it, few know about it.

Areas of application of bergamot

Bergamot is a citrus plant that belongs to the family of Root and is the result of crossing the orange and the citron. The fruits of this tree are very similar to ordinary lemons, although there are other varieties.

On an industrial scale, bergamot oil is extracted from fruits, leaves and branches, although most of it is in the flesh of the fruit. Further, the oil is used in cosmetics, perfumes, in aromatherapy, cooking or as flavoring in tea. Bergamot, whose benefits and harm have been known since ancient times, still should be used with some caution, since it has some contraindications.

Useful properties of bergamot

Apart from the fact that it delivers aesthetic and taste pleasure, bergamot also has many useful features for the body. For example, if you add bergamot to any massage oil , the benefits of the oil will increase several times, thanks to the pain killer, antiseptic and sedative properties of the plant. Massage with its application will not only quench the pain and relieve muscle tension, but also significantly improve the skin condition.

By dropping a few drops of bergamot oil in your cream, you can get an excellent remedy for treating various skin diseases, since it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. With this cream, you can get rid of acne, acne, pigmentation spots, abscesses, wounds and cuts, burns, etc. In addition, it regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands, soothes the skin, narrows the pores, has a deodorant and antifungal effect. All this makes bergamot an indispensable companion of people with oily or combination skin.

However, most often, bergamot oil is used in aromatherapy - several of its drops can relieve stress, relax and calm the nervous system. It will help to get rid of depression, overcome fears and regain self-confidence. In combination with grapefruit and lavender oil, bergamot will calm and clear the mind, activate mental abilities and memory, which is especially useful before an important event: exam, interview or business negotiations.

Treatment with bergamot

Before using bergamot for treatment of any disease, the benefit and harm of which for a weakened organism is not yet fully understood, it is necessary to consult a doctor, since the plant has some contraindications and side effects. For example, bergamot makes the skin vulnerable to active sunlight, which can lead to burns, especially in people with sensitive skin. Therefore, do not use creams or lotions with this oil before going out.

But there are situations in which the use of this tool will not only be superfluous, but rather useful. These are any inflammatory processes in the body - from the common cold to cystitis. Inhalations with bergamot oil help to relieve swelling of the nasopharynx, facilitate breathing, clear the sinuses and reduce the temperature.

For the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, inflammation of the urogenital system, it is recommended to use tampons, moistened with 2-3 drops of bergamot oil, and baths as additional means to combat the problem.

In the treatment of stomatitis, a weak solution of bergamot oil is used: 1 drop in a glass of warm water.

Bergamot: benefit and harm

Despite a huge number of various positive effects, bergamot is contraindicated in some cases. In addition to individual intolerance in some people, children under 12 years of age are also not recommended bergamot. Harm in case of use can exceed the benefit, since no serious research has been carried out on this subject.

In some cases, bergamot oil can provoke a miscarriage in a pregnant girl, so it is better to abandon it. Although for young mothers it is very useful, as it enhances lactation.

Special substances contained in bergamot, furokumariny, can lead to the appearance of age spots with prolonged use or a predisposition to them. Therefore, before applying the cream to the face or problem area, you should test it on a healthy skin area.

Bergamot in cooking

When preparing food and drinks, bergamot is used as a seasoning. Its leaves or fruits are added solely in accordance with their taste preferences in any recipes: pastries, sweets, meat and vegetable dishes. The taste characteristics of such food vary considerably, since bergamot has a very intense flavor, so you should add it moderately.

Often bergamot is added to liqueurs or tinctures, thus providing them with an unusual taste and aroma.

Recommendations for use

Depending on how to use bergamot, the benefits and harms of this fruit will be different. Therefore, we should remember a few simple rules.

1. Before starting treatment, always consult with a specialist.
2. Cosmetic products with bergamot test on healthy and undamaged skin areas before use.
3. If a properly conducted aromatherapy session causes discomfort (cough, dyspnea, dizziness), you should discard further use.

Before you buy for yourself or family members such oil, find out how to use bergamot, reviews about it specialists, possible contraindications and features. After all, simple negligence can lead to unpleasant consequences.