Essential Oil Spotlight: Bergamot

Bergamot

Latin name: Citrus Bergamia

Origin: Ivory Coast

From: Fruit Peel

Process: Cold Expression

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aroma Profile: Bergamot oil yields a citrus-like fragrance, with a distinctive spicy-floral quality. The scent is both spicy and sweet and is prized in perfumery for its ability to blend well with other aromas to produce pleasing, complex scents.

Historically, bergamot essential oil was an important ingredient in Eau de Cologne, a perfume originally concocted by Johann Maria Farina at the beginning of the 18th century. 

Emotionally speaking, Bergamot oil is all about one's sense of self: self-love, self-worth, self-acceptance, self-judgment, self-hatred. This oil helps us do the work necessary to step out of our fears of not being good enough, or our habits of holding back for fear of rejection of Who We Are, and helps us to learn to love and accept ourselves. It teaches us to find validation within, accept our own authenticity, and not spend so much time worrying about what others will think about it.

Some people treat a skin condition called psoriasis by applying bergamot oil directly to the skin and then shining long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light on the affected area. Bergamot oil is also applied to the skin (used topically) for a tumor caused by a fungal infection (mycosis fungoides) and for pigment loss (vitiligo). It is also used as an insecticide to protect the body against lice and other parasites.

Bergamot oil is used in aromatherapy to reduce anxiety, particularly during radiation treatment.

Contraindications:

⚠️ Bergamot oil has several active chemicals. In some people, these chemicals can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with BERGAMOT.

⚠️ 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.

⚠️ Not for consumption. 

⚠️ Oils must not be used to replace medicine.

Magickal Attributes:

Element: Earth, Fire, Air

Spiritual Properties: Balance, Joy, Strength

Planetary Attributes: Sun, Mercury

Zodiac: Gemini, Virgo

Deities: Persephone, Fortuna, Hermes, Mercury

Ritual uses: Abundance, Confidence, Vivid Dreams, Happiness, Joy, Love, Luck, Peace,  Protection, Physical Energy and Success.

Bergamot Essential Oil is one of the Angelic Fragrances. It can clear away the fogginess that often muddles us, allowing the higher spiritual self to become attuned to our helpers. This has no specifics attached, except it is a receiver.

Feminine Energies: Bergamot Essential Oil is original and persuasive. It can help manage the effects of depression and is also said to aid in one’s sex life. It mitigates out crises and allows you to get what you want.

All products mentioned in this article are available for purchase from Fata Morgana - just drop us a DM through our FB page, or through our Instagram page.

Bibliography:

www.back-to-basics.com.au

www.webmd.com

The Complete Books of Incense, Oils & Brews by Scott Cunningham

www.aromaweb.com

Essential Oils Gift Ideas & Updates

Good afternoon everyone!

It is time for an update concerning our Essential Oil & Carrier oil range!

The new list of oils in stock can be accessed via the link listed below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvT-HlQWhyGLBw0wfdtJpycZj28G-uS8/view?usp=sharing

There are also a four special offers going on at the moment with regards to oils - that's right! FOUR!

1) Essential Oils Gift Set

Usually, this gorgeous handmade mango wood box is sold empty for €20 - but until stock lasts, it will be available pre-filled with 12 of the most popular Essential oils in stock - namely:

Lavender
Ylang Ylang
Cedarwood
Orange
Citronella
Tea tree
Eucalyptus
Peppermint
Corn mint
Spearmint
White Camphor
Cinnamon

As you will notice from the abovementioned list, all of these 12 Essential oils are typically sold for €4.50 each. This pre-filled gift box would therefore amount to €74 - however, it will now be available for the special price of €65!

 

2) Essentially Essential Gift Set

This set has proven to be pretty popular - to the extent that we are down to the last 1 such set before even launching it officially! Included are a 50ml bottle of Hempseed Oil, a 10ml bottle of Lavender Essential Oil, a 10ml bottle of Tea Tree Essential Oil, and a Lava stone chakra diffuser bracelet. The gift pack comes neatly packed in a black velvet pouch with red ties.

It is priced at  €18 - get in touch if you want to claim it!

 3) Spiritual Booty

I've always been amused by pirate lingo, and the puns that derive from it - so naming this gift set Spiritual Booty was too strong of a temptation not to give in to it!

Inside these adorable treasure chests [typically priced at €5 empty] , one finds 6 XXL Assorted Tumblestones that typically sell for
€4 each, as well as an Ancient Wisdom Essential Oil 10ml bottle from the  €4.50 range.

This miniature chest has a hook clasp, so once it is closed, you don't run the risk of it accidentally opening.

This Gift Set is customisable! Just let us know who it is for, or which crystals and oil you feel would make the perfect combo for the giftee, and we'll put it together for you.

The Spiritual Booty is priced at €25 and will be available until stock lasts.

 

4) Zodiac Gift Set

This one is something I had been wanting to create for quite some time, but, one of the elements that make it up was quite difficult to source - until now!

Each set comes in a Stellar tin, with the quote "Chase Dreams" on the lid, and "... In a sky that had no limits" on the bottom. Included is a necklace with the Zodiac symbol pendant, and an Essential Oil that embodies the traits of that specific star sign. 

🔥 Aries - Corn mint

🌱 Taurus - Cedar wood

🌬 Gemini - Bergamot

💧 Cancer - Lime

🔥 Leo - Clove Leaf

🌱 Virgo - Thyme

🌬 Libra - Lavender

🔥 Scorpio - Cinnamon

💧 Saggitarius - Mandarin

🌱 Capricorn - Peppermint

🌬 Aquarius - Eucalyptus

💧 Pisces - Ylang ylang

The items would typically sell for €19.50, but these gift sets are available in highly limited quantities for the price of €15.

I will be writing up a much more in depth blog post about the essential oils corresponding to the Zodiac signs up shortly. 

All of the above are readily available for this Sunday's Gozo Delivery Day ! 

Now, back to work! I got a new display cabinet for the shop room, and I'm half way done filling it up and re shuffling stock around. Here's a sneak peek 👇

Until next time! 

Ros

Essential Oils: The Basics

Essential Oils & Carrier Oils in Stock - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvT-HlQWhyGLBw0wfdtJpycZj28G-uS8/view?usp=sharing

 

Essential oils are all the rage at the moment - some use them for aromatherapy, others just to have a nice smell in their home. Others still will use them for massage, or as complementary health treatments. 

One of the most common question I get is "What is a Carrier Oil?" - and so this is where we will start.

 

Carrier Oils

A Carrier oil, also known as a Base oil, is a vegetable/plant oil that is safe to use as is on the skin [with some health exceptions - for example Neem Oil should not be used by pregnant people, and Sweet Almond Oil isn't to be used by people with nut allergies]. Carrier Oils are used to dilute Essential Oils and Absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. The term Carrier Oil comes from their purpose - which is, to 'carry' the essential oil onto the skin. Diluting essential oils is a critical safety practice when using essential oils. Examples of Carrier Oils include Grapeseed Oil, Hempseed Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil and so on.

Smells

 

Quite often, I get people asking me for recommendations - "I want something that smells nice" is the most frequent comment I get. 

There are several ways to categorise essential oils - personally, I find it the easiest to go with two methods - Scent family, and Notes. 

There are 8 types of scents that oils can be categorised in:

Wheel of Scent Families

Floral:

This one is quite self explanatory. Floral oils are oils that are made from flowers. Some practical examples are Lavender, Rose, Geranium, Chamomile, Rose Geranium and Jasmine. 

Minty:

This is another easy one to figure out - there are many types of mint plants, or minty plants out there, from which essential oils can be made. Some examples are Peppermint, Cornmint,  and Spearmint. Each Minty essential oil has its own note, with Spearmint being a Top note, Cornmint being a middle note, and Peppermint being a base note.

Citrusy:

Citrusy oils often have what can be described as a bright, fresh and clean smell - which makes them well loved in cleaning products and deodorising blends. They are also excellent to use when you need to improve concentration levels,  and boosting one's mood is necessary and they have an uplifting and energising effect.

Many citrus oils have a low to moderate odour intensity and are top notes, meaning their scent is mild and fades fairly quickly. Blending them with base note oils can help their scent to last longer.

Resinous:  

Resinous Essential oils are made from tree resin, and the best known out there are probably Frankincense and Myrrh. They are typically associated with spiritual practice, especially given that several religions and cultures have used them for such purposes over the aeons. Resinous Essential Oils are typically base notes, or middle to base. Their smell can be described as almost smoky, warm, calming and mellow.

Woody/Earthy:

Woody/Earthy Essential Oils are exactly what they sound like. Picture yourself walking through a grove of trees. The smell of the earth and trees instills a feeling of calm and groundedness. Essential Oils that belong to this category include Cedarwood, Cypress, Juniper Berry, Sweet Birch, Sandalwood, Scots Pine, Patchouli and Vetiver. They are typically middle to base notes, and blend well with the majority of aromas. 

Herbaceous:

This family of aromas is comprised of those plants that we commonly call Herbs - Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Marjoram, Bay Leaves and so on. Each smell is unique, but is easy to picture for those of us who use a lot of herbs in the kitchen. Their notes tend to vary depending on the oil.

Spicy:

Think of the spices you cook with - and typically associate with the colder months. The warmth of these aromas, which includes Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Nutmeg, Ginger and Clove - is one reason why they are linked with Autumn and Winter months. They are typically base notes,  and are very often used topically [once diluted] to help with aches and pains especially linked to the back and joints.

Camphoraceous:

Camphoraceous Essential Oils can be described as having a strongly aromatic, almost medicinal scent. Because of their pungency, they are often used for aromatherapeutic purposes rather than for room fragrance reasons. They are very commonly used to help with respiratory issues such as blocked sinuses, and this family includes oils such as Cajaput, Camphor, and Ravensara.

Blending Oils

  

A Guide to Blending oils

When it comes to blending oils to create a unique aroma, there are many recipes out there. What you need to bear in mind is that when you have a number of oils, the amount of drops one uses of each will impact the final outcome of the smell one gets. So, for example, if you were to mix 5 drops of lavender essential oil, 10 drops of tangerine essential oil, and 5 drops of rosemary essential oil, the smell will be considerably different than if you were to mix 10 drops of lavender, 5 drops of tangerine and 10 drops of rosemary essential oils.

If you're new to blending oils, the best advice I can give you is this - start small. Always err on the side of caution and use the bare minimum amount of drops, then add more if you so wish as you build up your blend.

Essential Oil Notes Guide

Top Notes

Top Notes are sometimes also called opening notes or head notes. They are generally the lightest of all the notes, and will be the first aromas you smell, as well as the first to fade. We can call them the 'first impression' of scents.

Middle Notes

Middle notes, sometimes called the heart notes, can usually be smelled once the top notes evaporate. They are considered the very heart of blends. They will be the second layer of a blend that you smell, and will last longer than the top . They in turn hold a strong influence on the base notes.

Base Notes

Base notes are the final fragrance notes that appear once the top notes are completely evaporated, and middle notes start settling in and begin to evaporate. They will be the last you smell in a blend, and will last the longest. Base notes provide the lasting impression, and their scent will often linger on the skin for hours after the top notes have dissipated.

In Essence?

Whilst bearing the above information about Aroma Families, and Notes, in mind, you will often find that the familiar and note boundaries of quite a few essential oils are fuzzy. The Aroma Guide and the Notes Guide infographics serve to help you decide better what sort of scents to go with, should you come across an oil or three you're unfamiliar with. If in doubt, feel free to ask!

Should you wish to purchase any Essential Oils or Carrier oils, you can find the current up-to-date stock list here. 

 

Until next time, stay safe!

Ros