Considering all the great citrus essential oils available, including lemon, orange, grapefruit and lime, our favorite is bergamot. This amazing oil is cold pressed from the fruit peels of the Citrus bergamia tree. Christopher Columbus introduced his fellow Italians to the fruit after he brought some back from the Canary Islands. A crossbreed of the lemon and bitter orange tree, Bergamot has very little folklore attached to it, since the history before Columbus' discovery is mostly unknown.

In modern times, bergamot is most well known for it's use in English Earl Grey tea, but it has many uses beyond that. When applied topically, Bergamot is a fantastic remedy for cold sores, chapped or irritated skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne and skin infections. As if that weren't enough, it helps regulate oily skin and relieves anxiety and fear when used as an inhalant.

Would you like to learn more about essential oil and aromatherapy? Check out our monthly classes at our shop in Oceanside. Go here to see the next class available and to sign up.