Do You Know How to use bergamot for lowering cholesterol?

Bergamot has high nutritional value, rich in vitamin B, vitamin C, and many essential trace elements, deep nourishes skin, can enhance skin metabolism and activity, delay aging, and inhibit pigmentation. What’s more, its healthcare function attracts much attention. One of bergamot's benefits is we can use bergamot for lowering cholesterol. In this article, we will explore the relationship between bergamot and cholesterol.

What is bergamot?

Bergamot is produced mainly in Italy, which is a yellow-green or grass-green liquid at room temperature. It has sweet fruit, medicinal and ointment fragrance and can be used to prepare citrus, raw pear, and other fruit flavors. Bergamot is one of the most commonly used natural fragrance materials in perfume essence. It can increase the fragrance and freshness even if used in large quantities. Among citrus oils, bergamot is the only major ingredient without limonene. It is rich in acetate and alcohol, both of which are essential components of lavender oils. Bergamot is similar to lavender essential in composition and structure, so it has unique fragrance and mild properties at the same time. It is mainly used in food, cosmetic essence, medical care, and other fields. 

Why to lower cholesterol?

Cholesterol, as the most abundant steroid compound in the body, is an important component of the cell membrane and lipoprotein, which plays a vital role in intracellular substance transport, cell signal, and nerve signal transduction. Cholesterol is divided into Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C).

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), known as "vascular cleaners," carries cholesterol deposited in the blood vessels and is expelled by the liver, and is considered "good cholesterol".

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is considered "bad cholesterol". Because it can travel, precipitate, and adhere to blood vessels, triggering an inflammatory response, which increases the risk of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We generally say that we have high cholesterol, which means LDL-C is high. 

Cholesterol is a component of bile. When cholesterol levels are too high, the cholesterol in the bile exceeds its capacity to dissolve, forming solid particles that can eventually become gallstones. Cholesterol stones are one of the most common types of gallstones. What’s worse, high cholesterol also causes the liver fat metabolism to be abnormal, which in turn to fatty liver. 

Three ways to use bergamot for lowering cholesterol

1. Choose the proper bergamot product

Bergamot essential oil is generally packed in a dark sealed small glass bottle, the bottle cap has special acid and alkali resistance, the need to prevent direct sunlight and oxygen infiltration. High-quality essential oil will be marked with the origin of raw materials on the package and instructions to inform the source of essential oil. You need to check the amount of bergamot extract from the list of ingredients. Generally, it will have "100% Pure Essential Oil" on the package.

2. Use of fragrance extenders

Fragrance extenders include but are not limited to, for example, fragrance wood, fragrance expanding stones, fragrance fumigators, and fragrance burners. Different tools have different characteristics, according to the scene and preferences. Let the fragrant molecules of bergamot oil diffuse evenly through the air, stimulating your olfactory system and activating your senses.

3. Hot compress

Take less than 4 drops of pure essential oil and add it to a bowl of boiling water. Cover your head with a dry towel, the size of which should cover both sides of your head. Lean over to the hot water and breathe in the fumigating oils for 10 minutes. Towels covering the head prevent essential oils from evaporating into larger areas, concentrating the vapor of essential oils near the nose and mouth. The dosage for old people and children is halved.

Another note for using bergamot for lowering cholesterol

1. Do not use bergamot during the daytime. Bergamot contains both bergamot and limonene, both of which absorb ultraviolet light. So it can cause excessive sun sensitivity and can lead to severe sunburn or other complications.

2. Bergamot oil is generally safe to use. But I still insist on being careful at all times to avoid misuse. I do not recommend bergamot for pregnant, lactating, and young children. Oral bergamot oil is also not recommended for potassium-deficient people because it is known to consume potassium in your body, leading to muscle cramps and convulsions. Because bergamot oil can make you more susceptible to sunburn, do not take it with photosensitive drugs such as Cipro, Norfloxacin, Maxin, Floxin, and Levofloxacin, which can cause serious adverse reactions.

Conclusion

All in all, we must pay attention to the problem of high cholesterol. In addition to taking medicine, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating habits is necessary as well. If you do not want to lead a life of ascetic monks, you can also use bergamot for lowering cholesterol, and maintaining healthy and normal cholesterol levels efficiently.