1. May improve mental health

Breathe in bergamot, breathe out the blues? Maybe.

In a small 2017 study, participants who inhaled bergamot essential oil in a mental health center waiting room reported increased positive feelings. That said, researchers pointed out that the study’s teeny sample size and limitations don’t prove these findings.

In another small 2015 study of 41 women in Japan, researchers concluded that inhaling bergamot reduced feelings of anxiety and fatigue.

A 2013 review echoed this finding, with scientists concluding that bergamot and other essential oils may be able to relieve depression, anxiety, and mood disorders by signaling the brain to release feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine.

A 2019 review also concluded that bergamot inhalation may reduce stress compared to rest alone — but not compared to placebo aromatherapy.

So, we need more research to know if bergamot can banish your bad mood for sure.

2. Could fight food poisoning

Feeling like vomiting after that takeout? You might want to breathe in some bergamot.

Linalool is a compound found in bergamot that may help destroy certain types of bacteria that cause food-borne illness. (Fun fact: It’s also used to add a floral scent to lots of your fave beauty and skin care products.)

In a 2016 study, researchers found that bergamot had “weak to strong effects” at halting the growth of diff bacteria samples that cause one common type of food poisoning.

A 2006 study, meanwhile, found that bergamot may be most effective at destroying specific strains of bacterium including Staph, Listeria, and E. coli.

We might need more research before you can start sniffing the bergamot to stop your sushi stomach, but it might be worth a try.

3. Lowers cholesterol

Bergamot could also be a blessing for your heart health.

A 2016 review of several studies found that the flavonoids in bergamot can help reduce lipid levels in the bod, though researchers aren’t exactly sure why.

A 2018 study on animals echoed this finding. Researchers found bergamot may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the liver (but this was only for rats who had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). We need more people studies to know for sure.

4. Reduces pain and inflammation

Linalool and carvacrol — compounds found in bergamot oil — appear to help diminish pain and inflammation. In a 2017 review of several studies, researchers found that both compounds had anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and pain-relieving effects when inhaled and applied directly to the skin.

Similarly, a 2019 review confirmed that bergamot appears to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and aid in wound healing.

Researchers did point out that there could be potentially toxic effects of essential oils we don’t know about yet, so stay tuned before you start inhaling them round-the-clock.

5. Hair health

Maybe they’re born with it — maybe it’s bergamot.

According to a 2019 review, bergamot essential oil promoted hair growth in animal studies. Though your hair is def different than a rat’s, it could be worth a try.

The oil’s anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties may also help soothe an itchy or irritated scalp. (Just don’t apply it without a carrier oil.)

Those who use it as a regular part of their hair care routine swear it softens hair and tames frizz and curls. Plus, it’ll make your hair smell like you rolled in a field of citrusy wildflowers.

6. Skin health

According to a 2019 review, bergamot essential oil increases skin collagen content and decreases psoriasis plaques in animals. Just note we don’t have enough research on humans to know for sure what the deal is.

Still, it might be worth adding a little bergamot to your skin care routine. Since many compounds in bergamot oil also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it might work as a spot treatment for acne or cysts, especially since it’s thought to also aid in wound healing.

If you have psoriasis, sensitive skin, or another skin condition, though, check with your derm first.