Summer is here, and where I live, it often gets over 105 degrees. With a multiple dog household, closing up the house to keep cool can make it harder to keep things smelling fresh. That's why I diffuse essential oils even more frequently during these hot months. Summer has such a fresh, happy vibe, full of energy, and I love capturing that feeling indoors with the right essential oils. One of my favorites for this purpose is bergamot. Its bright, citrusy scent is perfect for freshening up the house and creating a cheerful atmosphere while also being very relaxing. Let’s explore bergamot essential oil and the summer oils it pairs well with to bring a breath of fresh air into your home.
Understanding Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot essential oil is derived from the rind of the bergamot orange fruit, Citrus bergamia, native to Italy. The citrus fruit is actually considered inedible due to its sour taste and bitterness, but the zest and juice are sometimes used in recipes, and the rind can be candied and made into marmalades. Bergamot is most famous for flavoring Earl Grey tea.
If I need a cup of tea but am out of Earl Grey, I simply add a bit of honey, use the toothpick method to swirl in some bergamot, and steep my tea bag in hot water. Easy peasy and dare I say a bit better than store-bought. If you're interested in essential oils in food, check out my handout HERE.
The essential oil is commonly produced through cold pressing the rind of the bergamot fruit, resulting in an oil rich in linalyl acetate and other beneficial compounds. Popular in aromatherapy and used for centuries in Italian folk medicine, bergamot oil and its compounds have been studied for antioxidant properties which may help to support the immune system.
Linalyl acetate has been studied and research suggests it may have antimicrobial effects, making it potentially useful for formulations aimed at cleansing and purifying the skin and air. Additionally, it has been studied for anti-inflammatory benefits, which could help soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation in topical applications.
In Italian folk medicine, bergamot was used to treat fevers and infections and aid digestion. Its citrusy aroma was believed to uplift spirits and promote well-being. Today, these historical uses influence modern aromatherapy and herbal medicine practices, showcasing bergamot's enduring popularity and versatility in holistic health approaches.
Let's dive into how bergamot essential oil can enrich your daily routine, especially through diffusion alongside other summer oils. Bergamot brings a bright, citrusy zest to your home, creating a fresh and uplifting atmosphere that embodies the essence of summer. Discover how these oils synergize to craft the perfect ambiance for your summer days.
When I think of summer essential oils, I think of citrus oils. They bring bright aromas and fresh energy that's perfect for the season. Let's explore some of my favorite summer essential oils that pair wonderfully with bergamot:
- Lemon: Known for its refreshing and uplifting scent, lemon essential oil is great for boosting your mood and energy levels. It's also fantastic for cleaning and unpleasant odors.
- Lime: This oil has a sweet, tangy aroma that is both invigorating and refreshing, making it a perfect companion for hot summer days.
- Orange: Orange oil is known as sunshine in a bottle—just smelling it can make you happy.
- Tangerine: With a sweet aroma similar to orange, tangerine oil also promotes happiness and can enhance your mood after long day.
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit essential oil has a sharp, tangy aroma that is invigorating and energizing, perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
In addition to these citrus oils, here are some other wonderful essential oils for summer:
- Patchouli: With its rich, earthy scent, patchouli essential oil is grounding and balancing, adding depth to lighter citrus blends.
- Basil: Known for its warm, spicy aroma, basil oil is great for reducing feelings of tension and promoting mental alertness.
- Spearmint: Lighter and sweeter than peppermint, spearmint oil is refreshing and invigorating, perfect for cooling down on hot days.
- Peppermint: This oil has a strong, minty aroma that is both cooling and invigorating, helping to keep you refreshed during the summer heat.
- Citronella: Studied for its insect-repelling properties, citronella oil is a must-have for outdoor summer activities.
- Kunzea: With its fresh, clean scent, kunzea oil is great for soothing tired muscles and relieving discomfort.
- Jasmine: Jasmine oil has a rich, floral aroma that is deeply relaxing and uplifting, perfect for summer evenings.
- Lavender: One of the most popular essential oils, lavender oil is a top choice for calming and is popular in summer food recipes.
- Lemongrass: Known for its fresh, lemony scent, lemongrass oil is invigorating and purifying, making it great for cleansing the air.
- Ylang Ylang: With its sweet, floral scent, ylang ylang oil is soothing and relaxing, helping to reduce tension and promote a sense of well-being.
- Vetiver: Has a deep, smoky, and earthy aroma that is both grounding and calming. It complements citrus and floral oils well, adding complexity to a blend.
- Sandalwood: Provides a rich, warm, and creamy base note that has a soothing effect and blends beautifully with floral and citrus oils. Perfect for a warm summer night.
When creating essential oil recipes, understanding the concept of top, middle, and base notes can elevate your aromatherapy game. Each note plays a role in creating a balanced blend. However, feel free to simply diffuse bergamot or another oil from the list. Customize aromatherapy to what you like and what works for you!
Top notes: These are the first scents you notice in a blend, typically light and refreshing. They provide the initial aroma and evaporate quickly. Examples include citrus oils like lemon, lime, and bergamot.
Middle notes: Also known as heart notes, these oils form the core of the blend. They emerge after the top notes and help to balance the aroma. Examples include floral oils like jasmine and ylang-ylang.
Base notes: These oils are rich, deep, and grounding. They provide stability to the blend and their aroma lingers the longest. Examples include earthy oils like patchouli and vetiver.
Bergamot Diffuser Recipes
1. Summer Bouquet- Perfect for date night!
- Top Note: 3 drops Bergamot
- Middle Note: 2 drops Jasmine
- Base Note: 1 drop Patchouli
2. Summer Focus- Works well for a calm and focused mind.
- Top Note: 3 drops Bergamot
- Middle Note: 2 drops Basil
- Base Note: 1 drop Vetiver
3. Citrus Mint Fusion- A go-to afternoon pick me up!
- Top Note: 3 drops Bergamot
- Middle Note: 2 drops Peppermint
- Base Note: 1 drop Lemon
4. Tropical Citrus Oasis-Turn this essential oil blend into a perfume-Wowza!
- Top Note: 3 drops Bergamot
- Middle Note: 2 drops Ylang-Ylang
- Base Note: 1 drop Sandalwood
5. Citrus Calm- This recipe works well to help relax and calm nervous dogs! I'll often diffuse it in the afternoon, in preparation for summer thunderstorms.
- Top Note: 3 drops Bergamot
- Middle Note: 2 drops Lavender
- Base Note: 1 drop Vetiver
These blends harness the uplifting and citrusy qualities of bergamot oil while balancing them with complementary floral, herbal, and woody notes to create complex and delightful aromas. Adjust the drops of essential oils according to your preference and enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find your perfect summer scent.
Aromatherapy Inhalers: Convenient Aromatherapy On-the-Go
Aromatherapy inhalers are compact and portable devices designed for easy inhalation of essential oils. These inhalers typically consist of a small tube with a wick inside that absorbs essential oils. They are widely available on platforms like Amazon, providing a simple and discreet way to experience the benefits of aromatherapy throughout your day. Whether you prefer a simple Bergamot inhaler or want to try these two refreshing blends, creating your own aromatherapy inhaler is quick and straightforward.
Recipe 1: Bergamot Relaxation Blend
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of bergamot essential oil
- 3 drops of clary sage essential oil
- 2 drops of geranium essential oil
- Aromatherapy inhaler
Instructions:
- Add the drops of essential oil to the inhaler wick.
- Insert the wick into the inhaler and close it securely.
- Inhale deeply whenever you need to relax and uplift your mood.
Recipe 2: Bergamot Boost
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of bergamot essential oil
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
- Aromatherapy inhaler
Instructions:
- Add the bergamot and peppermint essential oil to the inhaler wick.
- Insert the wick into the inhaler and close it securely.
- Inhale deeply as needed for a quick boost of positive energy.
I love to use these inhalers when I travel as you can pop them out on a plane and get some good whiffs in without fear of overwhelming your neighbor!
Topical Use Bergamot Essential Oil
Topical application of Bergamot Essential Oil offers another refreshing way to harness its benefits. You can easily turn any of the diffuser blends into a roller bottle by tripling the recipe, adding it to a 10 ml roller bottle and filling it up with a carrier. For me step by step handout on making a roller bottle, click HERE.
It's important to remember, however, that bergamot, like other citrus oils, has phototoxic properties, which means it can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight. To enjoy Bergamot safely, consider applying it in the evening or on areas of skin covered by clothing.
Also best practice is to dilute essential oils before applying with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is simply a fatty oil used to 'carry' the essential oil. Fractionated coconut oil is my favorite oil because its light, non greasy and absorbs quickly. Jojoba oil works well and you can even use olive oil. Sweet almond oil is another popular choice. Diluting essential oils helps to minimize any potential skin irritation, plus since essential oils are so concentrated and oftentimes you only need a drop, diluting gives us best results by covering a large area with a minimal amount of essential oil.
Unfortunately, not all essential oils are created equally. The industry has minimal regulation, and adulterated oils are common. To ensure I'm purchasing pure essential oils of the highest quality, I trust oils sourced from suppliers and farms I've personally visited, where transparency from farm to bottle ensures purity and safety. If you're looking for oils you can trust, I invite you to explore the company I rely on. I've visited many of their farms, helped plant, harvested, and even bottled my own oil. Click HERE to check them out using my affiliate link at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business!
Incorporating bergamot essential oil into your summer routine is a great way to transform your home into a calm and refreshing oasis, banishing any lingering pet odors and filling your space with an uplifting aroma. Whether you're diffusing it to keep your house smelling fresh or enjoying its benefits on the go with aromatherapy inhalers, bergamot pairs beautifully with other summer oils to create a delightful ambiance. Ready to elevate your summer vibes and maintain a welcoming home environment? Grab your bottle by clicking HERE and immerse yourself in the essence of summer!
