With its 350 chemical components, the essential oil of Bergamot is indispensable for the international perfume industry as it not only has the function of fixing the aromatic bouquet of the perfumes but also of harmonising the other essences that are contained, exalting the notes of freshness and of fragrance.

Bergamot essential oil has an uplifting aroma, is excellent for breathing difficulties, antiseptic for wounds, abscesses, mouth infections and herpes.

Used to stable the emotions, an energising oil, Bergamot is uplifting and balancing, helping to alleviate anxiety, depression, fear or listlessness and encourages a restful nights sleep.

In creams or massage oils it is good for oily skin and well used to reduce acne, and eczema. Use in vaporizer to disperse unwanted odours or makes a wonderful room spray in times of illness or depression, cleansing, deodorizing, and keeping for insects away.

Bergamots therapeutic properties include analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic, stomachic, calmative, and vulnerary.

Bergamot is a photo sensitizer (increases the skins reaction to sunlight making it more likely to burn) so it should not be used when exposed to sunlight.

The area given to Bergamot growing is about 1.500 hectares with an average crop of some 100.000 kg of essence.

To obtain one kilo of essence, about 200 kilos of fruits 4.000 workers employed in the business.

The first known Bergamot orchard was planted near Reggio Calabria (the only land where is produced the best essential oil) by Nicola Parisi in the 1750.

In those days the essence was extracted by hand, from the skin of the fruit and absorbed by natural sponges placed on special containers.

Nowadays it is extracted by abrasion though a system of "graters" in the peelers of the outside of the fruits.

In 1844 the first real industrialisation of  the extration process took place with the invention by Nicola Barillà of an extracting meccanism called "The Calabrian Machine" wich was capable of guaranteeing not only high output in a short time, but also an excellent quality essence.