Only a few precious scents like ylang-ylang are as popular as the citrus notes of bergamot. A great fragrance for women and men, it has been in use for decades. But just what does bergamot smell like?
Here’s all you need to know about one of the most popular citrus scents known to man.
What is Bergamot?
Also commonly known as the bergamot orange, the bergamot fruit is one that’s predominantly found in southern Italy. It’s also quite common in northern Italy as well.
While fresh bergamot fruits might look like your typical orange or mandarin, they have a very acidic taste and bitter flesh. This makes them highly unpalatable. Luckily, this citrus fruit more than makes up for it with the fresh fragrance it releases.
The main part of this fruit responsible for its base notes and fresh scent is its orange or green peel.
In addition to being used to make bergamot perfume, the peel of lime-like fruit is also used to make tea as well.
The bergamot orange gets its name from the town, Bergamo and evolved into what it is today.
Moving forward, the bergamot or “bitter orange” should not be confused with the herb bergamot. While herb bergamot might share the same name as the bergamot fragrance source (rather confusingly) they have almost nothing in common.
The herb bergamot belongs to the bergamot mint family native to North America. It also has numerous varieties which range from the lemon bergamot to the orange mint.
Moving forward, before you purchase any luxurious scent claiming to be a derivative of bergamot essential oil or base, make sure you check the label carefully.
This is because the bergamot oil is often adulterated with material from the bergamot mint family, resulting in less than perfect floral scents.
What Does Bergamot Smell Like – All You Need to Know
Back to the question – what does bergamot smell like?
The uplifting note and fragrance of bergamot stay true to the powerful citrus scents found in any other citrus fruit. It maintains this classic sweet-yet-tart smell that gives it a beautiful fragrance and makes it a head-turning masculine and feminine scent.
The green scents that this peel gives off distinguish itself from what you get with other citrus fruits. This is because the notes of bergamot come with floral, spicy scents that make it the perfect fragrance.
One other thing that helps the scent of bergamot stand out, is how well it complements and is complemented by a host of other floral fragrances.
Its spice notes can be elegantly accentuated with ylang-ylang, vetiver, and notes of jasmine, to mention just a few.
Lots of bergamot notes are also exquisitely balanced by other citrusy scents like grapefruit, lime, and orange.
All in all, the fragrance profile of Calabrian bergamot is truly extensive, ensuring that you can always rely on its fresh citrus scent to brighten your day.
However, the benefits of bergamot go beyond just making you smell good.
Benefits of Bergamot
In addition to offering you a potent unisex scent and spice notes second to none, there are a few benefits to smelling bergamot oil and essence.
1.It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure
Research shows that the distinctive flavor and notes hidden in the fragrance profile of the bergamot orange are capable of stimulating hormonal secretions.
The study revealed that people who were exposed to a blend of bergamot oil, ylang-ylang, and lavender responded by showing reduced stress levels and significantly lower blood pressure.
To steady your pulse rate and alleviate your blood pressure, you could try putting a few drops of bergamot oil on your abdomen and temple.
2.It Helps Boost Your Immune System
Bergamot essential oil added to your bathing soap can help you ward off various forms of infection.
A cursory study of the effect of this substance on the human body suggests that it has antibacterial qualities as well as anti-inflammatory qualities.
Its analgesic, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory properties can help you ward off microorganisms like Escherichia coli as well as aid in the treatment of candida infections.
3.It Has Potent Aromatherapy Benefits
Having been used in Italian folk medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, the potency of this substance is well-established. Alternative medicine practitioners have long relied on bergamot oil as a stress reliever and cure for anxiety.
Recent studies suggest that these alternative medicine practitioners may have been onto something all along.
One study conducted in 2015 with three different experimental setups showed that inhaling bergamot essential oil fragrance lowered cortisol levels significantly.
Its health benefits also extend to exerting positive physiological and psychological effects on the body as well.
It also limits the effects of depression, making it an excellent choice for people who have a stressful daily life.
4.It Alleviates Pain
As we’ve mentioned, bergamot orange has huge health benefits not least of which is its analgesic effects. The results of using bergamot to complement conventional medicine to relieve body tension have been quite promising as well.
Another study revealed that linalool, which is a major component, possesses several pharmacological benefits as well. It helps limit pain receptors as well as decreases nerve impulses also.
5.It Helps Combat Respiratory Issues
Again, this ties in with the fact that bergamot has antimicrobial properties.
Because of this trait, it can effectively stop the proliferation of harmful pathogens that cause respiratory issues in the body.
More specifically, bergamot has proven very effective in fighting off the common cold and it’s a great household remedy.
Final Thoughts
You get to truly savor the refreshing benefits of this fragrance when you know what bergamot smells like. Its classic sweet-yet-tart smell not only keeps you smelling good but helps you enjoy a host of other health benefits as well.
There’s a lot more to be gained from the tons of other fragrances out there. Keep up with our posts to stay updated on it all.
