Overview
Bergamot ('Fo Shou Gan') is a citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia, cultivated for its medicinal properties since the Ming Dynasty. In TCM theory, it regulates qi (vital energy), particularly for liver and stomach meridians. The dried fruit is sliced or powdered for decoctions, teas, or encapsulated supplements. Unlike the European bergamot orange used in perfumery, TCM-grade bergamot is typically sourced from Guangxi and Sichuan provinces, harvested at peak ripeness. Its unique finger-like segments inspired the Chinese name 'Buddha's Hand,' symbolizing longevity and health blessings in traditional culture.
Key Features
Medicinal bergamot contains higher concentrations of bioactive compounds than culinary varieties. Key components include synephrine (a mild stimulant), polymethoxyflavones (anti-inflammatory), and bergapten (photosensitizing compound). The essential oil content ranges 2-5%, with limonene (30-45%) and γ-terpinene (15-30%) as dominant terpenes. The herb exhibits adaptogenic properties, modulating stress responses through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. Clinical studies note its gastroprotective effects against gastric ulcers and ability to enhance bile secretion. Its ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) score of 12,000 μmol TE/100g indicates strong antioxidant potential.
Application Areas
In TCM practice, bergamot is combined with herbs like Bupleurum (Chai Hu) in classical formulas such as Xiao Yao San for depression or Yue Ju Wan for digestive stagnation. Modern applications include functional foods for metabolic syndrome management, where its nobiletin content shows anti-diabetic effects. The pharmaceutical industry extracts bergamottin for drug-metabolizing enzyme modulation research. Aromatherapy blends utilize its calming scent for anxiety relief, while cosmetic formulations employ its antimicrobial properties in acne treatments. Emerging nutraceutical applications target non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevention.
Precautions
Bergamot's furanocoumarins can cause phytophotodermatitis—skin inflammation when exposed to UV light after application. Internal use exceeding 10g/day may lead to muscle tremors or palpitations due to synephrine content. Always decoct with ginger or licorice to counteract potential stomach irritation in sensitive patients. Quality control is critical: some suppliers adulterate with pomelo peel or use sulfur fumigation for preservation. Third-party lab tests should verify absence of pesticides (e.g., chlorpyrifos) and heavy metals (cadmium <0.3ppm). EU imports require psoralen content below 1ppm for safety compliance.
B2B Procurement Guide
Premium grades feature uniform 3-5cm slices with visible oil glands. Request HPLC chromatograms verifying ≥1.2% total flavonoids and ≤0.5% moisture content. Ethical sourcing certifications (FairWild, USDA Organic) add market value for Western buyers. Bulk shipments should use vacuum-sealed aluminum bags with oxygen absorbers to preserve volatile oils. For extracts, specify CO2 supercritical extraction (1:10 yield ratio) or 20:1 water-ethanol concentrates. Contract farming arrangements in Yunnan province ensure traceability, with harvests optimally timed for November-December brix levels.
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