Bergamot tea, also known as Oswego tea, is sourced from a perennial plant that grows as high as 3 feet tall in the New York area and has rough leaves and large flowers. Bergamot tea is named after the bergamot orange because their scents are similar. The flowers and leaves of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The Oswego Indians indigenous to western New York used the tea, and they introduced it to colonial settlers who drank it recreationally when imported tea was no longer available following the Boston Tea Party. A group of settlers known as the Shakers, who were among America's devout herbalists, used the tea for treating colds and sore throats, among other uses. Be sure to consult a qualified health practitioner prior to consuming bergamot, and all other herbs, medicinally.
Alleviates Cold and Flu Symptoms
Traditionally, Native Americans as well as settlers used bergamot tea as a tonic to treat fever, colds, coughs, nausea and sore throats. Additionally, the tea treats stomachaches, nosebleeds and insomnia and induces sweating, according to anecdotal reports. You can use the tea to make a poultice that treats headaches, according to the website Herbs2000.com.
Supports Digestive System
Bergamot tea is classified medicinally as a carminative, which means it prevents and treats the formation of gas in the intestines. Additional digestive uses of bergamot tea include the treatment of nausea, vomiting and upset stomach. Native Americans and colonist physicians used bergamot leaf tea to expel intestinal worms in cases of parasitic infection. Native Americans considered bergamot tea an effective treatment for stimulating the appetite, according to Herbs2000.com.
Dosage and Preparation Recommendations
Preparing bergamot tea involves stripping off the leaves from the square, hollow stems and drying them in warm shade for approximately two to three days. When further drying is necessary, use an artificial heat source. Steep the dried leaves in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, according to Herbs2000.com. Pregnant women and those who suffer from menstrual disorders should avoid drinking bergamot tea, as its active components can stimulate uterine contractions when consumed in medicinal doses. The tea is similar in smell to the tree Citrus bergamia, which produces oil used in the preparation of Earl Grey tea. Concentrated bergamot essential oil from the Citrus bergamia tree is used in aromatherapy. It is toxic when used internally and externally and should not be confused for the bergamot tea described here.
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