A pear-shaped citrus hybrid obtained by crossing a lemon with a bitter orange is bergamot. Probably everyone knows what kind of plant this is. It is widely used in perfumery, cooking and traditional medicine. But by this name one more medicinal plant is known, monarda, a beautiful honey plant, the flowers of which contain a huge amount of trace elements useful for the body.
Bergamot grass, monarda or American lemon balm - a herbaceous plant from the Rutov family is characterized by excellent aesthetic properties, due to which it is used in landscape design to decorate flower beds. Ground parts are used as raw materials in official pharmacology. The flowers of the plant evaporate a delicate citrus aroma, which bears a complete resemblance to a famous fruit. It is thanks to this characteristic that the monarda has acquired the name bergamot.
Monarda is an annual or perennial plant, the stems of which can reach 1.5 m in height. Light green, lanceolate leaves are opposite. The flowering period falls on June-September. Funnel-shaped tubules collected in large inflorescences bloom on peduncles. The most common herb is bergamot, the flowers of which are painted in a purple hue.
A medicinal plant is characterized by a rich chemical composition, which includes a large number of micronutrients. One of the main components is thymol - a powerful natural analgesic and antiseptic. Monarda contains B vitamins, ascorbic acid, retinoids, antioxidants, etc.
Earl Gray tea is one of the most famous teas. The blend has gained worldwide recognition for its sophisticated citrus aroma and rich taste. Bergamot oil in tea has not only invigorating and tonic effect, but also a healing effect. With proper brewing, the drink can be used to strengthen immunity, treat colds, and the nervous system. Tea with bergamot is rich in useful properties, but it also has contraindications that must be considered.
Bergamot tea is made from various varieties of black tea. Most often it is Chinese, Indian long leaf, Ceylon large leaf and broken. Today you can also meet Earl Gray based on white and green teas. Bergamot essential oil acts as a flavoring. In the classic version, tea has a rich chemical composition, which includes:
Citrus notes blend perfectly with Ceylon black tea
The main beneficial properties of the drink:
Tea has always been considered the best cold medicine, relieves chills and relieves sore throats.
You can cause significant harm to your body even with such a useful drink as tea with bergamot. To prevent this from happening, it is better to familiarize yourself with the contraindications and subtleties of use in advance.
First of all, you should pay attention to the quality of tea and the appearance of the tea leaf. The most safe and useful are large-leaved varieties, in which it is difficult to mix third-party substances.
Individual intolerance is another important factor. Bergamot is a citrus fruit, so for allergy sufferers it may be an unsafe tea component.
During pregnancy, Earl Gray can provoke an increase in tone and contraction of the uterus, which is a threat to the fetus.
There is a fine line between the benefits and harms of bergamot
Do not drink tea with bergamot essential oil in front of the beach, solarium and other solar treatments. The drink affects the production of melanin, so the tan will turn out uneven.
Those suffering from disorders of the nervous system, insomnia, experts recommend making weak tea or transferring tea to the morning or lunch time.
The daily rate of tea with bergamot depends on the strength of the tea leaves. For an adult, 2–2.5 cups of a well-brewed drink is enough. If you prefer a weak Earl Gray, you can drink 3–3.5 cups. In other cases, the daily amount of tea is calculated individually.
Pregnant women who do not have pathologies and ailments are allowed to drink tea with bergamot throughout their pregnancy. The optimal dose is no more than 3 cups per day. At the first adverse symptoms, it is better to refuse citrus tea. This is especially true for women in the third trimester of pregnancy who are at risk of miscarriage or vaginal bleeding. Still at risk are future mothers with the following diseases:
Despite the fact that children under adolescence are not recommended to drink tea with bergamot, it is very useful during lactation. Abuse this is not worth it. A weak drink is introduced into the mother’s diet only 3-4 months after birth. When warm, it helps to increase breast milk, and also soothes, relieves tension and stress.
After the first tea with bergamot, follow the baby’s reaction during feeding. If there are signs of an allergy, it is better to refuse a natural stimulant. If the reaction is normal, you can drink tea with bergamot several hours before you need to feed the baby, 2-3 times a week.
Introducing bergamot tea into the children's diet is best from the age of 12. The daily norm is no different from the adult and is 2-3 cups per day. With a weak immunity, allergies and bronchitis in a child, the use of bergamot should be minimized.
Bergamot fights equally well with the flu and the common cold, as well as with serious chronic diseases. As part of tea, the product perfectly removes temperature and heat, prevents the development of inflammatory processes. With pancreatitis, tea with bergamot is best drunk without sugar and milk after eating. Tea will help diabetics relieve metabolic syndrome and normalize glucose levels. Tea time is better to choose in the morning.
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, bergamot oil relieves spasms, normalizes the robot system and the amount of secreted gastric juice. The daily norm of the drunk liquid is the same as for healthy people - 2-3 cups, depending on the strength of the tea, however, no more than 4.
Tea with bergamot is useful for colds and gastrointestinal diseases
Being on a diet, it is worth paying special attention to tea with bergamot. A hot drink with a delicate aroma promotes metabolism and improves skin turgor. Regularly drinking several cups of tea a day, you can get rid of extra pounds, while maintaining youthfulness and elasticity of the skin.
To enhance the effect of tea with bergamot, it is recommended to use this citrus oil in its pure form. The product can be used for bathing, added to cosmetic products (for example, shampoo or cream). Essential oil dissolved in water is suitable for gargling, lotions, compresses, rubbing and inhalation.
The ceremony of brewing tea with bergamot begins with the preparation of dishes. Preheat the porcelain teapot. To do this, rinse it with boiling water. Pour 1 tsp. a spoon for brewing black tea. Use Earl Gray, whose blend consists of a mixture of Ceylon and Indian varieties. Pour the ingredients with 250 ml of hot water. The optimum temperature is no higher than 85 degrees. Infuse the drink for 4–5 minutes.
Bergamot tea is brewed in china
To reveal the taste of tea will fully help 1 tsp. a spoon of honey.
Milk and lemon, on the contrary, are strictly forbidden. These ingredients are absolutely not combined with bergamot.
Earl Gray's top-notch flavor is considered the gold standard. Its tart notes are unique, as well as the beneficial properties that the drink is known for. Prepared according to the classic recipe, he firmly entered the world tea industry. Everyone has the opportunity to join her and try the Count's tea.
In recent years, various types of tea with additives have become very popular. So on the shelves of shops you can find a great many such products for every taste and budget. Bergamot tea is very popular. It can be bought both in the form of tea leaves and in bags for quick and convenient cooking. However, many users, in addition to taste, are also interested in the properties of such a drink. Is it good for the body, or, conversely, can cause harm to humans? Let's try to answer these questions in a detailed manner.
What is valued with bergamot tea? The benefits of the drink
Bergamot itself is a citrus plant, previously it was used exclusively in the perfume industry, but the British, learning about the usefulness of this culture, created the famous Earl Gray tea on its basis.
The unique qualities of bergamot were known to our ancestors many centuries ago. So the essential oil of this plant was actively used for antiseptic purposes in the treatment of wounds, stomatitis and a variety of skin problems of an inflammatory and infectious nature. In addition, it was used to eliminate an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.
The benefits of tea
Bergamot was previously used to treat a variety of pathological conditions as a good alternative to antibiotics. In the form of tea, it helps to quickly deal with colds or viral lesions. Such a drink has a wonderful expectorant effect, lowers temperature and stimulates the separation process. In addition, it well activates the body's defenses.
Systematic consumption of tea with bergamot can significantly improve skin turgor. In addition, such a drink perfectly tightens pores and reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands. Accordingly, its systematic consumption helps to give the skin a healthy color, smooth it and even eliminate all kinds of rashes.
Bergamot aroma is of great benefit to the nervous system. It eliminates anxiety and fatigue, has a good tonic effect and reduces stress damage to the body. Inhaling the aroma of bergamot, you can cheer up and eliminate depression. Also, such a drink helps to optimize the quality of night sleep.
Among other things, experts argue that the consumption of a drink with such a plant helps to increase milk production in women who are breastfeeding, and in general to establish lactation.
Scientists have found that bergamot is an excellent aphrodisiac. Tea with its addition can be consumed as a good sexual stimulant. It effectively enhances potency, adds sexual strength and even enhances sensations and impressions.
Also, such a drink is able to eliminate all kinds of spasms, it activates the digestive processes and helps to remove "bad" cholesterol from the body. Consumption of tea with bergamot has a positive effect on brain activity, because this drink effectively activates attention and improves memory. In addition, it is able to increase sociability, add vitality. It can be consumed throughout the working day so that this time passes more fruitfully.
Experts have concluded that bergamot is an excellent cure for vegetative-vascular dystonia. Such a plant (including in the form of tea) perfectly optimizes the activity of the autonomic nervous system and has a positive effect on blood vessels.
As you know, both black and green tea are sources of a significant amount of caffeine, if bergamot is in their composition, it can reduce the tonic effect of this element, making it not so aggressive for the body.
Who is bergamot tea dangerous? Harm to drink
Some categories of people should rather carefully drink teas with bergamot, as some active particles in this drink can cause a number of undesirable consequences. Thymol, for example, can cause nausea, vomiting, rashes, and pain in the stomach. An element such as bergapten is able to provoke the development of phototoxicity. A person with such a problem should temporarily abandon being in the open sun with bare skin. Do not use any means with bergamot during the expectation of a child, since this plant can provoke uterine contractions, which can cause a miscarriage or premature birth.
If you suffer from problems falling asleep, do not drink bergamot tea shortly before your planned night's rest.
It should be noted that exclusively natural teas with bergamot are distinguished by their high utility. Tea in bags does not contain a fraction of nutrients from the tea itself, or from an additional component. Thus, in order to get a really high-quality and healthy drink, you should buy only tea leaves, and it is better to do this in specialized tea shops.
Brewing
In order to get all the benefits of tea with bergamot, you also need to brew it correctly. Before performing this procedure, rinse the teapot with boiling water. Next, put the tea leaves in it, at the rate of one teaspoon per cup and pour the appropriate amount of hot water (80-90C). Insist such a drink for five to ten minutes, then pour into cups and drink with pleasure.
High-quality bergamot tea is really able to benefit our body.
Bergamot is a citrus plant of the Rootov family, which is an artificial hybrid of citron and orange. The fruit was first grown in Southeast Asia, considered to be its natural homeland. There are two main versions of the origin of the name bergamot. Firstly, its industrial cultivation (in particular, for obtaining and selling oil) began in the city of Bergamo, located in the Italian province of Calabria. On numerous plantations of those territories, the plant was even called the “Bergamo orange”. Secondly, the name of the fruit resembles the Turkish phrases “beyarmudu” or “beg armudy”, which means “pear of the prince” and “pear of the lord”, respectively. The adjective indicates the category of aristocratic dishes, and the noun "pear" only speaks of the color and shape of the fruit, but in no way the genetic connection with pears. Nevertheless, pears have a variety of bergamot, which looks very much like the described fruit.
One of the first areas of application of bergamot was perfumery. Essential oil squeezed from flowers and fruits gave the perfume an unusual delicate aroma. Historical sources report that the pioneers in the use of bergamot in the 14th century were either French perfumers or Florentine monks. The unique bergamot squeeze solution was called “aqua regina” and carefully concealed the composition of the ingredients. However, after some time, an unknown Cologne pharmacist was able to uncover the secret of the perfumery recipe, therefore later on it was this German city that the fame of the cologne's homeland was fixed (the phrase “Eau De Cologne” is translated from French as “water from Cologne”).
In Latin, the type of bergamot is called Citrus bergamia. Its evergreen tree usually has a height of 2.5 to 11 m, and thin branches are equipped with spines 9–11 cm long. Oval alternating leaves with petioles have a leathery surface and are slightly pointed at the ends. Their upper side is green and smooth, and the bottom is light and matte. White or purple-pink bergamot flowers are combined in axillary bunches, but can remain single. They are very easily recognized by their strong aroma and fragrant petals. The spherical or pear-shaped fruit is covered with a dense peel of three layers. Pieces of sourish flesh, pleasant to the taste, are easily divided among themselves and contain several seeds. Flowering bergamot occurs in early spring, and fruit ripening is observed only at the beginning of winter.
Bergamot is considered the economic symbol of the Ionian coast in the Italian province of Calabria. There, in a small area with the most favorable soil and climatic conditions, the main fruit plantations are located, which ensure its export all over the world. Also, the cultivators of the fetus are engaged in planters of Argentina, Brazil and the American state of Georgia.
Bergamot fruits and flowers contain essential oil, which is successfully used in perfumery and confectionery production, and even in microscopic technology. Among Russians, bergamot gained fame thanks to Earl Gray tea, in which it is used for perfume. Medicine knows the photosensitizing properties of furocoumarins, which are part of the fruit. For example, bergapten heals the skin for pigmentation problems (vitiligo, baldness). In cooking, fruit is made from preserves and other sweets. For example, in the Sicilian marmalade brand Caff? Sicilia bergamot is the main ingredient. As in the early history of the cultivation of bergamot, the plant is actively used in perfumery. The smell of the skin of the fruit combines perfectly with other odors, forming unique pleasant bouquets of aromas. Some psychologists believe that the fragrant bergamot enhances attention with long mental work.
In addition to the main nutrient components (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), bergamot has dietary fiber and a large amount of water. Furocoumarins are a unique component of the fruit, helping the skin pigmentation and healing it. The famous essential oil of the plant contains limonene, nerol, bergapten, bizabolene and linalitetz.
The nutritional value 100 g of bergamot:
The abundance of the main irreplaceable vitamins makes bergamot an extremely valuable and nutritious fruit. Most of it contains vitamin C, which distinguishes all citrus fruits.
100 g of bergamot pulp contains:
Low calorie bergamot makes it harmless to the figure and therefore potentially suitable for those on a diet. However, due to the specific taste, the fruit is not too often consumed raw. But the bergamot oil used by cooks also has a low calorie content and does not harm the figure.
Bergamot oil improves metabolic processes in the body, accelerating metabolism. Therefore, it is able to prevent the appearance of excess fat. In anti-cellulite massage often use the oil of this particular fruit. The popular tea with bergamot has also established itself as a means for losing weight: the drink reduces appetite and catalyzes the decomposition of fatty acids.
Bergamot contains many mineral elements needed by the adult body daily. Most of the fruits are potassium, which ensures the functioning of the digestive system, and calcium and phosphorus, which are responsible for strengthening bones and teeth.
Macronutrients in 100 g of bergamot:
Trace elements in 100 g of bergamot:
Bergamot can only be consumed in the absence of some health problems. Fruit is contraindicated in the following cases.
Plant bergamot (Citrus bergamia)- It’s not grass at all, but an evergreen tree with aromatic fruits belonging to the citrus family. Mostly growing in Italy. The plant shown in the photo was obtained by crossing citron and orange, which are also citruses. Being very fragrant, bergamot has occupied its niche among the food and cosmetic addictions of many people.
On the shelves of the store you will not meet him, but a lot of personal hygiene products, cosmetics and teas with the addition of bergamot are sold. Also in pharmacies you can see a variety of essential oils of bergamot.
Remember the comedy “Truffaldino from Bergamo”, and so Bergamo is the birthplace of not only a merry fellow and a joker, but also our today's hero - the fruit of bergamot.
The bergamot tree is capricious, it places high demands on its gardeners, but Italians cope and produce quite a lot of essential oil from it. The smell of bergamot is sometimes confused with the aroma of the fragrant monard grass.
The benefits of bergamot are surprising. It is a natural antibiotic. Previously, the plant was used to treat colds and various infections and viruses.
The plant has expectorant properties, is a diaphoretic and antipyretic. The fruits of the plant are able to increase the body's defenses.
Bergamot orange, as the plant is also called, helps the human psychogenic system well. Its aroma tones, improves mood, promotes relaxation, relieves stress, treats the effects of stress.
Very interesting is the fact that bergamot helps to cope with the syndrome. It helps the nervous system to start working smoothly and improves the condition of blood vessels.
Essential oil is extracted from the unripe peel of this citrus fruit, 200 kg of fruit is required to produce only 1 liter of viscous greenish substance with a unique tonic fresh aroma.
For use, the oil is diluted in a ratio of 1: 10.
Useful properties of bergamot oil:
Application in traditional medicine, cosmetology
It is used for stomatitis, throat diseases, skin diseases, eliminates bad breath.
In cosmetology, the regenerative properties of acne, irritated and inflamed dry skin are widely used. Yes, and the hair will become stronger, relieve them of dandruff, excessive fragility.
Inhalations with 4-5 drops of bergamot oil will help with bronchitis, sinusitis.
An effective means for douching with inflammatory gynecological diseases, baths are made for cystitis, urethritis.
Aromatherapy with this oil will bring you a mood boost, increased performance.
The most common drink is with bergamot. It is fragrant and tones well. In the morning such tea will set a positive note and will charge us with energy and vivacity for the whole day. By the end of the working day, such tea will relieve fatigue, raise a spoiled mood and give strength.
One of the best teas with bergamot is the English Earl Gray.
A less famous type of tea is green tea with bergamot. Green tea softens the tonic properties of bergamot. This drink can be used both inside and for cosmetic purposes, outside. That is why often on sale you can find many cosmetic preparations using green tea extract and bergamot essential oil.
In fact, the fruits of the plant are not edible. But their peel and unripe fruits contain a lot of essential oil useful for the body. It is because of the essential oil that the value of the plant increases. It gives this charming, invigorating and amusing aroma to tea.
Tea with bergamot helps in winter to cope with spleen, improve appetite and general condition of the body. It has a cooling effect that helps with temperature. After all, it is so important to take as little tablets as possible. It is bergamot that can help us with this.
Another benefit of tea with bergamot is that it favorably affects brain activity, improves memory and concentration.
Remember that not all tea is natural. Now there are a lot of falsifications. You need to pay attention to the composition of the finished product.
No matter how small the letters would be, you still need to try to read. If you saw on the label instead of bergamot oil, leaves or some other parts of plants, the flavor is identical to natural, you can safely put this tea aside.
Preference is given to loose tea rather than tea bags. Of course, brewing tea in bags is much more convenient, but this is where second-grade tea goes. Through the package it is not visible what lies in it.