Welcome to week seven of Deepen with the Plants, you can register to join this free program at any time https://getafreshstart.lpages.co/deepenwithplants/
Listen to this weeks podcast here
What is Bergamot
Bergamot is a type of citrus, it is said to be a sort of hybrid between a bitter orange and lemon, larger in size, similar to Grapefruit. The very south of Italy is the only place on earth where it grows, it thrives in the sea air and acidic soil.
“For years, Italians have used Bergamot for many purposes—to rejuvenate the skin, reduce feelings of stress, and more. There are many unique attributes of Bergamot that set it apart from other citrus oils, including the exclusivity of where it is grown, the fact that it is a bitter fruit that produces sweet oil, and its ability to create an uplifting and calming environment, just to name a few.”
It is also most commonly known for flavouring Earl Grey tea.
Sourcing Bergamot
I was lucky enough to be able to visit our Bergamot orchards in 2018 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy right down the bottom of the boot of Italy where these families have been taking care of these orchards for generations.
It was such an experience to stand in the orchard surrounded by beautiful Bergamot trees and learn from this passionate, fourth generation Italian Bergamot grower.
He shared how three/four generations back they were in the Golden Age of Bergamot farming, the British discovered earl grey tea and it was also used in perfumes.
His lineage were thriving in providing Bergamot. Demand was there. And they supplied.
Then unfortunately chemists discovered how to synthetically formulate Bergamot.
Demand dropped off almost completely. Many of the local families were forced to abandon their orchards, leaving family tradition behind.
He spoke about how his father refused to give up on these orchards, how much he loved them, and even though no one wanted their Bergamot anymore, he was out there tending to his trees with a smile. He was genuinely happy.
His son thought he was nuts, they were barely making ends meet, and when his father passed he had to make the decision about whether to give the orchard away or not.
As he was tending to the trees each day, he started to understand why his father was so joyful, Bergamot, like many citrus oils is uplifting and Bergamot also has properties that support self love/self worth.
He decided to keep with family tradition and continue to tend to the orchards.
Then dōTERRA came along. dōTERRA doesn’t want synthetic oils. They want the pure plants. These beautiful fruits that have been so well cared for, were exactly what dōTERRA was after.
Now these growers get paid fairly, on time and have re-entered the golden age thanks to dōTERRA.
He also told us that it is pronounced Bergamot, not Bergamoh, the t is NOT silent. It is actually Bergamotto in Italian.
Uses for Bergamot
Try using Bergamot in my Speak Your Truth Blend.
Bergamot is unique in that while most citruses have very stimulating and invigorating properties, Bergamot is actually very calming while still uplifting.
You can use Bergamot in a sleep anchor, try diffusing with Vetiver and Juniper Berry beside your bed in the evenings for a deep, calming sleep with sweet dreams.
Try changing your regular cup of tea to your very own earl grey with a drop or two of Bergamot in your tea.
Try diffusing Bergamot or use on your solar plexus as an uplifting, calming and confidence building aroma, just don’t use on parts of your body that you plan on having in the sun as it is photosensitive.
When I tune into Bergamot
Bergamot reminds you just how easy to love you are, to breathe so much love into yourself and to know your worth deep in your own bones.
Bergamot supports you in manifesting your hearts deepest desires, in breathing your dreams into reality.
Bergamot reminds you of your personal power, place over your solar plexus and breathe into your power centre, straighten your back, push your shoulders back, lift your chin and raise your gaze to meet life.
She reminds you of your undeniable power, worth, strength, courage and confidence.
To stop looking at others and wishing you were somehow different, to own your own magnificence, fully and completely.
Bergamot helps you remove jealousy and comparison, and instead tap into being overjoyed by another’s success, inspired by their story and the pieces that serve you, and then to stick to your own path, following your joy and knowing your purpose.
It reminds you to embrace your quirkiness, your uniqueness, to fully own exactly what makes you, you.
You are and always have been so incredibly whole.
Bergamot reminds you to back yourself, fiercely.
According to Gifts of the Essential Oils by Adam Barralet and Vanessa Jean, Bergamot is the oil of contentment, self worth and prosperity.
I love this paragraph from their book
“With a boost in self-worth and seeing your own value thanks to Bergamot, you will see shifts in abundance, The universe responds to how you feel about yourself and pays you accordingly. If you are not enjoying the financial abundance you desire, Bergamot is here to work with you. Step up, develop an unshakable belief that you deserve the best, and watch the world realign itself to correspond with your new attitude. Although Bergamot excels in manifesting financial abundance, use him to bring in whatever you desire, whether it be an abundance of rest, an abundance of courage, fun, celebration… Abundance is your birthright and Bergamot helps you claim it in all forms.”
Bergamot reminds me of this poem I wrote.
My wish for you..
Is that you know your worth.
That you don’t search for it externally but know it deep within your own bones.
My wish for you is that you know your strength, power, grace and resilience.
That you are able to take whatever poison life forces down your throat, metabolise it and alchemise it into pure fucking gold.
My wish for you is that you hold yourself softly and compassionately in unconditional love.
That you touch your scars, stretch marks and soft parts with the tenderness and care of a lover.
My wish for you is that you allow yourself to feel the depth of your feelings, your pain, your emotions, with zero guilt or shame.
That you go into the darkness with the tools to return to the light, to help others return to the light and to ask for help when you need someone else to sit in the dark with you and remind you gently that you have everything you need to switch the light back on when you are ready.
My wish for you is that you live with an open, loving but boundaried heart.
That you hold yourself in such high regard and with such reverence and respect that you don’t tolerate shitty, low level behaviour.
That you magnetise people to you that reflect your unconditional, loving heart, pure essence and magic straight back to you.
My wish for you is that you dare to shine so outrageously brightly that it inspires others to do the same- and that even when it triggers people, you don’t allow it to dim your shine even a little, they can turn away if they’re not ready for your spark.
My wish for you is that you allow love into your heart and allow yourself to be held and supported by those who want nothing more than to love and hold you unconditionally.
That you let down your walls and allow yourself to truly be seen, felt and understood.
My wish for you is that you come home to yourself and remember all that you are.
That you completely embrace your own magnificence.
You are the magic you’ve been searching for.
I would love to hear your journey
Keep a journal of your experiences with each oil or blend, this is about you deepening your relationship and connection with the spirit of each plant, spend time with it, tune into it and I would love to hear your experiences, feel free to tag me on socials, my instagram is jessie_reimers or write in to me at jessrems@gmail.com
Upcoming Oils and Blends
Next week we are deepening with Black Pepper.
If you are placing your order now in time for March the oils we will be deepening with are Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, Cardamom, Cassia and Cedarwood, order these now so they arrive in time for March.
Don’t have a doTERRA account yet?
Email me at jessrems@gmail.com or contact the person who introduced you to doTERRA to get set up or head to https://www.getafreshstart.com.au/shop-doterra/ you can set up from just about anywhere in the world, and you can get one of the starter kits or pay the $35 for a wholesale account so you get 25% off all our products + loads of other benefits and loyalty discounts.
Enjoy deepening with Bergamot this week.
Jessie xx