Bergamot HerbHerbal Tea
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Bergamot has at least 3 different color flowers and types, purple, pink and red. The red variety of Bergamot is said to have been used by early colonists as tea after the Boston Tea Party.
The Oswaga Tribe showed the early American settlers who were protesting tax imposed on imported tea, how to make Oswaga Tea. The dried leaves and flowers are both used to make a tea reminiscent of Earl Grey whose flavoring is actually derived from a different plant "Bergamot Orange"(Citrus bergamia) which is actually a citrus fruit. The scents and flavours of these two plants are very similar.
With its fragrant and beautiful flowers Bergamot is often used in gardens and will often attract butterflies and hummingbirds and of course bees.
Bergamot Tea or Oswaga Tea
Herbal Tea Recipe
A tea can be made from Bergamot by steeping 1 teaspoon of dried Bergamot herb, leaves and flowers to one cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.
Bergamot Tea can be used to help alleviate headache and fever and other cold symptoms as well as aiding in digestion. It also contains the antiseptic Thymol which is widely used in western medicine.
Bergamot Uses
Bergamot flowers and leaves can be eaten in salads or dried and used in sachets or potpourris.
Dried Bergamot can be added to boiling water for refreshing facial steams. The fresh leaves of Bergamot can also be placed on facial skin eruptions. The thymols antiseptic qualities can heal the skin quickly.
Bergamot is often used in creams and lotions for its gentle and fragrant qualities.
Bergamot can also alleviate headache and fever and other cold symptoms as well as aiding in digestion after a big meal. It also is very soothing and can aid in treating mild insomnia.
Bergamot Folklore
Bergamot’s lore includes uses for attraction and purification and was used by Native Americans in the celebrations before a hunt.
Bergamot Cautions
The only well known precaution with Bergamot is in its essential oils. Caution should be used with the oil to avoid direct contact with the skin as well as with lotions containing Bergamot essential oil while in the sun as it may make skin more sensitive to sunburn.
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