BERGAMOT

OTHER NAME(S):

Aceite de Bergamota, Bergamot, Bergamot Orange, Bergamota, Bergamotier, Bergamoto, Bergamotte, Bergamotto Bigarade Orange, Citrus Bergamia, Citrus aurantium var. bergamia, Huile de Bergamote, Oleum Bergamotte.<br/><br/>

Overview

Overview Information

Bergamot is a plant that produces a type of citrus fruit. Oil from the peel of the fruit, and extract from the fruit juice, are used to make medicine.

Bergamot oil is most commonly used in aromatherapy for anxiety, nausea and vomiting, pain, and other conditions. Bergamot extract is used for schizophrenia, reducing side effects of certain prescription drugs such as antipsychotics and aromatase inhibitors, and other conditions. There is no good scientific evidence to support any of the uses of bergamot oil or extract.

In foods, bergamot oil is widely used as a citrus flavoring agent, especially in gelatins and puddings.

In manufacturing, bergamot oil is used in perfumes, creams, lotions, soaps, and suntan oils.

How does it work?

Bergamot oil has several active chemicals. These chemicals can make the skin sensitive to sunlight.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Anxiety. Using bergamot oil as aromatherapy doesn't seem to reduce anxiety in people undergoing radiation therapy or a bone marrow transplant.
  • Mental alertness. Using bergamot oil as aromatherapy doesn't seem to improve mental alertness. In fact, it might decrease mental alertness in heathy adults due to its relaxing effects.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Metabolic side effects caused by antipsychotic drugs. Early research shows that taking bergamot extract by mouth for 60 days doesn't improve side effects of antipsychotic drugs such as increased blood sugar, body weight, and cholesterol levels.
  • Joint pain caused by drugs called aromatase inhibitors (aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgias). Early research shows that taking a product containing bergamot extract and other ingredients for 6 months slightly reduces joint pain in people with joint pain caused by drugs called aromatase inhibitors.
  • Depression. Early research shows that inhaling the essential oils of lavender, sweet orange, and bergamot as aromatherapy improves symptoms of depression in most older adults.
  • Abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood fats (dyslipidemia). Early research shows that taking bergamot extract for 30 days decreases cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. It might work about as well as taking a low dose of the cholesterol-lowering drug called rosuvastatin (Crestor). But other research shows that taking bergamot extract with other ingredients doesn't improve levels of most blood fats in people with abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood fats.
  • Nausea and vomiting. Early research shows that using bergamot oil as aromatherapy doesn't decrease nausea in people undergoing bone marrow transplant.
  • Scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis). Early research shows that applying bergamot oil to the skin along with UV light is not more effective than UV light alone for reducing plaque psoriasis.
  • Schizophrenia. Early research shows that taking bergamot extract by mouth for 8 weeks may improve mental control and self-regulation in people with schizophrenia.
  • Loss of the color pigment on the skin (vitiligo).
  • Protecting the body against lice and other parasites.
  • Treating a type of cancer that begins in white blood cells and affects the skin (mycosis fungoides), when used along with ultra-violet (UV) light.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bergamot oil for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Bergamot OIL is LIKELY SAFE for most people in the small amounts found in food. Bergamot EXTRACT is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, short-term. Side effects of bergamot extract are generally mild and may include dizziness, muscle cramps, or heartburn.

When applied to the skin: Bergamot oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when applied to the skin. It might make the skin sensitive to the sun.

When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bergamot is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not use bergamot oil on your skin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE.

Children: Bergamot oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE in children when taken by mouth in large amounts. There have been serious side effects, including convulsion and death, in children who have taken large amounts of bergamot oil.

Diabetes: Bergamot might lower blood sugar levels. This could affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes and cause blood sugar levels to go to low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Surgery: Bergamot might lower blood sugar. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during surgery. Stop using bergamot at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Interactions?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with BERGAMOT

    Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Topical use of bergamot oil might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Using bergamot oil topically along with medication that increase sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.<br /> Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen (Trisoralen).

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of bergamot depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for bergamot. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.