Bergamot Oil

A factorial RCT in 132 postmenopausal women found that aromatherapy with a lavender-bergamot blend significantly reduced anxiety scores versus placebo (p = 0.020), an effect sustained at 8-week follow-up. Supporting evidence includes an animal study showing bergamot oil reduced anxiety-related behavior and corticosterone in rats, plus pharmacological reviews suggesting anxiolytic mechanisms, though most human evidence uses bergamot in blends rather than alone.

“Effect of Aromatherapy with Essential oil of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill- Citrus Bergamia and Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Sexual Function, Anxiety, and Depression in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Factorial Design”

Only one animal (hamster) study found showing bergamot essential oil and juice reduced sebaceous gland activity, inflammatory cytokines, and androgen-related markers in an induced acne model; no human clinical trials were identified.

“Essential Oil and Juice from Bergamot and Sweet Orange Improve Acne Vulgaris Caused by Excessive Androgen Secretion”

Only in-vitro evidence was found showing bergamot polyphenol extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which are mechanisms theoretically relevant to skin aging, but no studies directly tested bergamot on skin wrinkles or aging outcomes in humans.

“Analytical Profile and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Enriched Polyphenol Fractions Isolated from Bergamot Fruit and Leave”

Available evidence is limited to in-vitro studies showing Citrus bergamia extract has antimicrobial activity against some drug-resistant bacterial and yeast (Candida) isolates, with no clinical trials in humans for fungal infections specifically.

“Synergistic and antagonistic effects of Citrus bergamia distilled extract and its major components on drug resistant clinical isolates”

Evidence is limited to one animal study showing bergamot-boxthorn extract (not bergamot essential oil alone) promoted hair growth and skin collagen in mice, and a narrative review citing bergamot essential oil increased hair growth in animal models; no human clinical trials on hair loss/thinning were found.

“[Effects of the extract from bergamot and boxthorn on the delay of skin aging and hair growth in mice]”

Preclinical studies show bergamot essential oil modulates amino acid neurotransmitter release in rat hippocampus and has neuroprotective effects in animal pain/ischemia models, but no clinical trials in humans specifically for headache or migraine were found.

“Neuropharmacology of the essential oil of bergamot”

Only one relevant study was found, and it primarily tested Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium essential oil (not bergamot) in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells, with Citrus bergamia oil included only as a comparator in chemical/GC-MS profiling rather than as the focus of anti-inflammatory testing; no joint-specific or in-vivo/clinical data on bergamot for joint inflammation were found.

“The Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Essential Oil: A Combined GC-MS and Network Pharmacology Study”

Only animal/preclinical evidence was found, showing that Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction reduces oxidative stress markers associated with morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia in mice; no human clinical trials on bergamot for muscle pain were identified.

“Inhibition of Spinal Oxidative Stress by Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction Attenuates the Development of Morphine Induced Tolerance and Hyperalgesia in Mice”

Only one identified study protocol (not yet completed) is examining bergamot essential oil combined with digital self-hypnosis for anxiety, with sleep quality only as a secondary outcome; no completed clinical trials directly evaluating bergamot for sleep/insomnia were found in this search.

“Essential Oil-enhanced digital hypnotherapy for subclinical generalized anxiety: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial”