You might think that Bergamot Oil has a familiar scent if you’ve ever had a whiff. Anyone who is a tea buff will recognise the aroma as it is an ingredient widely used in Earl Grey tea. Hailing from Italy, it has been the popular choice for alleviating stress, improving moods, and refreshing the skin. An oxymoron, Bergamot Oil is the most unique citrus extract because of its energising and soothing effects. This extract is not only used in teas but is popularly used in aromatherapy, used in a variety of beauty, massage therapy, and relaxation treatments. Because of these uses, it is no wonder why more and more people are turning to this ingredient for all its wondrous powers. Today, we will learn all about Bergamot Oil, its incredible benefits, and how to use this treatment in your aromatherapy care.

What is an Essential Extract?

An essential extract is an essence derived from roots, flowers, seeds, or bark, stronger than the source. Taken from the beauty of Mother Nature, essential extracts are incredibly powerful due to their heavy concentration. Examples of essential extracts include geranium, lavender, sweet orange, and of course, Bergamot Oil. They are produced through distillation as a potent chemical, requiring carrier oils such as coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, and more to reduce the concentration. Essential extracts such as Bergamot Oil have an intense aroma than their original, making them the perfect soothing aromatherapy treatment. Each of these essential extracts holds various benefits that can improve moods and make skin more rejuvenated and moisturised. With all these benefits, they are widely used in a variety of different recipes, including massage treatments, candlemaking, homemade lotions, and much more. In the next few sections, we’re going to focus on a particular essential extract, Bergamot Oil, and how it can be a great addition to your aromatherapy arsenal kit!

What is Bergamot Oil?

Bergamot Oil is a distinctive essential extract widely known for its refreshing and citrus fragrance. This popular extract is found in the tropical parts of Southeast Asia and Southern Italy and is reminiscent of a pear and orange fruit and has a deep green hue appearance and bumpy texture. In Greece, Bergamot Oil is popularly used in sweetmeats and is the ingredient found in Earl Grey tea, making it used in aromatherapy and culinary cuisines. It is widely cultivated due to its linalyl acetate, linalool, and limonene ingredients, which are highly beneficial to the body. It can both relax and uplift people, making Bergamot Oil the perfect essential extract to use. Because of this reason, it is used in a variety of different applications ranging from aromatherapy to beauty recipes.

What are the benefits of Bergamot oil?

Skin Rejuvenating

Forget your commercial cleanser! Bergamot Oil has natural antibacterial and antiseptic qualities making it the ideal ingredient to use for an organic DIY cleanser. Not only will your skin feel refreshed and glowy, but it will also smell wondrous due to its citrus and tangy scent. It is great for eliminating skin irritation and balancing sebum production, alleviating scarring from acne and pimples to help your blemishes vanish. For this reason, it can help promote moisturised and radiant-looking skin, making you feel all the more refreshed. One tip is to swap your normal hand sanitizer for Bergamot Oil, as it is much more moisturizing than using alcohol on your skin. It is highly important to remember that not every skin is equal. Therefore, it is recommended to do a patch test before use to prevent any adverse reactions. In addition to cleansers, Bergamot Oil can be ideal for massage treatments, lotions, body scrubs, and more.

Improves Mood

Bergamot Oil has an uplifting quality, alleviating feelings of depression and anxiety and boosting your overall mood. Like many citrus extracts, this is no exception. It can energise you and make you feel happier, allowing you to be ready for the day ahead. Start your morning with confidence with the help of this essential extract, helping you relax to the max. Start your day on the right foot by using Bergamot Oil in your diffuser, in a massage treatment, or in your natural perfume. Say goodbye to overthinking and stress with the help of this powerhouse ingredient.

Hair Replenishing

Is your hair looking a little dull? It’s not just beneficial for the skin, but Bergamot Oil also enhances hair sheen and texture. With its high content of Vitamin C, this extract works to rebalance your natural shine over time, allowing your hair strands to remain thick and healthy. If your hair is feeling dry, this extract is incredibly moisturising and effective as exfoliating to help you get rid of dead skin cells, unveiling the freshest of follicles. Not only will your mood reach the stratosphere, but it will make your head of hair bounce with joy. Here’s to luscious locks and fragrant-smelling hair with this incredible essential extract at your fingertips. Turn your scalp from barely there to a full head of hair with the help of Bergamot Oil.

DIY Recipes

Body Wash:

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon of Vitamin E Extract
• 1 teaspoon of Fractionated Coconut Extract
• 8 drops of Bergamot Oil
• 4 drops of Lavender Extract
• 4 drops of Peppermint Extract
• Distilled water
• ½ tablespoon of castile soap (unscented)
• Foaming bottle to input the body wash mixture

Method

1. Add castile soap into the container that will hold the cleanser.
2. Add in the fractionated coconut and vitamin E extract.
3. Put the rest of the ingredients into the foaming bottle.
4. Mix with a glass stir rod.
5. Fill the rest of the foaming bottle with water with some room left.
6. Put on the cap and shake! Discard after a few days.

Deodorant:

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of Fractionated Coconut Extract
• 2 tablespoons of shea butter
• 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 6 drops of Bergamot Oil
• 6 drops of Mandarin Extract
• Container to store the deodorant

Method

1. Melt the shea butter and fractionated coconut extract using the double boiling method until it is liquid. This can be done by simply popping a glass bowl on top of a pot of boiling water.
2. In the glass bowl, add the arrowroot powder and baking soda.
3. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix.
4. Store in a tightly sealed container. We recommend a small glass mason jar so you can pop it in your purse!

Hand Sanitiser:

Ingredients

• 200 mL spray bottle (preferably glass)
• ½ a cup of Witch Hazel
• 12 drops of Bergamot Oil
• 12 drops of Lemon Extract
• 12 drops of Lime Extract

Method

1. Gather all your ingredients.
2. Add in the witch hazel.
3. Add in the drops of Bergamot Oil and the other essential extracts.
4. Mix together using a rod.
5. Simply rub it onto your hands for a refreshing hand sanitiser!

Body Scrub:

Ingredients

• ½ a cup of raw brown sugar
• ½ a cup of Fractionated Coconut Extract
• 8 drops of Bergamot Oil
• 7 drops of Lime Extract
• Glass mason jar to store ingredients.

Method

1. Place the raw brown sugar into the mason jar.
2. Add in the fractionated coconut extract.
3. Add in all the essential extracts.
4. Mix with a rod.
5. Voila! Here’s an invigorating body scrub perfect to use in your morning shower to start your day on the right foot.

Walking meditation may be a lesser-known technique, but it can be a highly useful and extremely effective way to practice mindfulness when performed properly. Below is a simple guide by Russell Herbert Jack, Southland Yoga guru, that can help you learn how and where to effectively practice walking meditation and what to wear while doing so.

Step 1: What to Wear

Before you practice walking meditation, you’re going to want to make sure you’re dressed comfortably. Just as with any form of meditation, it’s as important to be comfortable as it is to avoid any form of distraction and allow for greater relaxation. Wear anything that is not burdensome and will not obstruct free movement. As for footwear, socks or bare feet are best for indoors, while any kind of comfortable shoe or sandals will do for outdoors.

Step 2: Where to Go 

In order to properly practice walking meditation, you’re going to need an open and unobstructed space in which you are able to walk in a straight line for a distance of at least ten feet. Some practitioners prefer a larger area, but you can easily make do with ten feet if need be. Always try and ensure that your walking meditation area is peaceful, relaxing, and distraction-free.

Step 3: Center Yourself

Once you’ve found your ideal area, prepare yourself with some box breathing. This is done by slowly inhaling, holding your breath, slowly exhaling, and holding again, all in four-second intervals, and then repeating the cycle. Do this until you feel centered and free of distraction.

Step 4: Begin Walking 

Now walk from one end of your area to the other, focusing on the mechanics of each and every step. Once you’ve reached the end of your area, take a moment to pause and breathe, then turn around and walk back.

Create a gentle natural rhythm with your walking, and give the lifting, moving, and placing of each foot, as well as the shifting of weight from one foot to the other, great attention. This cyclical act is intended to center you and increase your capacity for mindfulness the more you practice it.

What to Do with Your Arms and Hands

Walking meditation is supposed to be as natural as possible. This means that you should do whatever feels the most comfortable with your arms and hands, whether that means clasping your hands together in front of your body or behind it or letting your arms hang freely at your side. If ever you should feel too mechanical in any aspect of your walking, try to relax your body and find the most organic and comfortable form of movement that you can.

When You Become Distracted

Distractions, and a wandering mind, are an inevitable part of meditation. When these things arise, allow them their time and then refocus. It’s important not to resist your wandering mind, but rather to acknowledge it and let it pass.

About Russell Herbert Jack 

Russell Herbert Jack, Southland Yoga founder, lives in Invercargill, New Zealand. He specializes in Vinyasa Yoga, Qigong, and guided meditations. He once studied environmental sciences at the University of Otago but left in order to pursue his passions as a mindfulness and yoga teacher. His dedication to nature and the protection of living things continues through his volunteer efforts with the World Animal Protection organization and his frequent donations to various non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting rare and endangered species in his home country.

Did you know that there are a lot of myths about Canadian Pharmacy? If this is something that you fancy to know about, you’re in the right place. So in this article get ready for the 10 Canadian Pharmacy myths to be debunked!

Selling drugs online is illegal

This only applies to unauthorized suppliers. If a pharmacy has all the necessary permissions, it can legally sell drugs online.

All drugs are produced in Canada

There are lots of pharmaceutical companies in Canada both headquarters and local branches of the foreign company such as Pfizer. But not all drugs are produced in Canada.

Pharmaceutical companies exaggerate production costs to justify high pricing

The cost of developing and manufacturing pharmaceuticals is very high. To develop and manufacture new pharmaceuticals, the company needs to pay developers, introduce new technology, etc. Generic manufacturers might bear fewer expenses, but they still cost quite high.

If pain or discomfort persists or worsens, it’s okay to take more than the prescribed dose

The prescribed dosage of your medication is not based on the doctor’s personal choice, it depends on your current medical condition, and exceeding the prescribed dosage could have dangerous consequences such as an accidental overdose or liver damage.

Once the patient feels better, it’s no longer necessary for them to take their medication

Your doctor will be giving you a set of instructions about the prescribed medication like asking you to take the medication for an entire week, etc. Feeling better does not always mean that you’re already cured and free from illnesses. That is why it is always best to follow the given instructions upon the prescription of the medicine for you to enjoy the long-lasting effects of your medications.

Natural supplements are safer than their prescribed counterparts

People tend to often have confusion between the words “healthy” and “normal”. Natural supplements don’t always mean “healthy”. In line with this, patients should be reminded that the FDA standards for natural supplements are much weaker than the standards for approved drugs. Natural supplement’s side effects may not even be listed on their label, and supplements also can have conflicts with certain medications.

Medications are best stored in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink

Keep in mind that medications should be kept in a dry place and away from heat, and direct light. Some medications simply lose their potency once exposed to heat and humid environments. Careful precautions should always be advised.

Canadian drug prices are not excessive; we already get a reasonable deal on pharmaceuticals.

Confidential price negotiations usually widen the gap between drug prices in Canada, since smaller provincial drug plans have less negotiating power and discounts only apply to people who are covered by public plans.

A Pharmacist only knows about prescription medications

Pharmacists can easily assist and guide you with different types of medications and drugs such as vitamins and supplements. In fact, they are made to be aware of the substances that you are taking so that they can assist you accurately.

Pharmacare will reduce the choice of drugs to the detriment of patients.

Not all Pharmacare programs aim to cover most prescriptions. There are proposals to start universal coverage in Canada with a small list of essential drugs. Other prescriptions would continue to be paid for by the existing public and private plans or directly by patients.