Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Bergamot Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by doTERRA

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bergamot is a dietary supplement by doTERRA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, heart and metabolic health, anxiety and stress (aromatherapy).Based on those ingredients, 410 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bergamot. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bergamot by doTERRA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • “Bergamot” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (60 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: bergamot (Citrus bergamia), a citrus oil. The product has no inactive fillers or other ingredients listed.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Bergamot's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Aromatic or topical essential oil use.
  • We looked for evidence on: Stress, Pre-procedural anxiety, Anxiety relief, Relaxation, Mood support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bergamot is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Pre-procedural anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bergamot is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Stress.

The data shows bergamot is possibly effective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). For mental alertness, the evidence suggests it's possibly ineffective.

For fatty liver disease and autism spectrum disorder, we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bergamot

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

The oral extract is generally well tolerated short-term, though one person reported heartburn in a trial. The essential oil is toxic if swallowed and can cause sun-related skin reactions, especially with topical use.

Frequent skin contact with bergamot peel or oil can cause blisters, redness, pustules, and dark spots, particularly in fair-skinned people. The safety information during pregnancy advises against use, and breastfeeding safety is unknown, so it's best to avoid it during both periods.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bergamot

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Bergamot.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 410 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your pharmacist if you take photosensitizing drugs (such as certain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications) or diabetes medications. Bergamot oil can increase sun sensitivity with photosensitizers and may lower blood sugar with diabetes drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bergamot may help with high cholesterol, but the photosensitizing effect and potential blood-sugar effect mean you need to check your medications first. If you take photosensitizing or diabetes drugs, talk to your pharmacist before adding this.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should skip it.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 22, 2021.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bergamot, straight from the product label.

Brand doTERRA
Net contents 15 Milliliter(s); 0.5 Fluid Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 22, 2021
DSLD ID 256718
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bergamot by doTERRA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Servings per container
250
IngredientAmount% DV
Bergamot60 mg--
Citrus bergamia15 mL--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

For aromatic or topical use.

For internal use dilute one drop in 4 fl oz of liquid.

Precautions

Caution: Possible skin sensitivity.

Keep out of reach of children.

If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.

Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

Formula

Citrus bergamia 15 ml

FDA Statement of Identity

Essential Oil Supplement

General Statements

CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade

See for yourself

Bergamot by doTERRA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bergamot by doTERRA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container250 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bergamot

Interacts with
410 drugs
60 mg per serving

Bergamot is a Mediterranean citrus fruit, and its standardized extract is most often used to support cholesterol and heart health, with some early but...

Bergamot monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Bergamot by doTERRA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bergamot?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
410Drugs
410 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bergamot 410

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bergamot with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bergamot2 drug types · 410 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking bergamot with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that bergamot juice has hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Photosensitizing Drugs

Theoretically, topical bergamot essential oil might increase the risk of side effects when used along with photosensitizing drugs.
Bergamot contains bergapten, which has photosensitizing effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bergamot, from the product label.

doTERRA

See all doTERRA products
Name
doTERRA Intl, LLC
Street Address
389 South 1300 West
City
Pleasant Grove
State
UT
ZipCode
84062
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bergamot by doTERRA: Common Questions

Does Bergamot by doTERRA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bergamot has a known interaction with 410 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bergamot contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I use bergamot oil on my skin?
Topical bergamot is possibly unsafe. It can cause blisters, redness, pustules, and dark spots on your skin, especially with sun exposure and in fair-skinned people. The photosensitizing compound in it makes your skin more reactive to sunlight.
What happens if I swallow bergamot essential oil?
The essential oil can be toxic if swallowed. The oral extract is generally well tolerated short-term, but the oil itself isn't safe to ingest.
Can I take bergamot while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information during pregnancy, so it's advised to avoid it. Breastfeeding safety is also unknown, so avoiding it is the safer choice.
Will bergamot help my cholesterol?
Possibly. The evidence suggests bergamot is possibly effective for high cholesterol, though it's not a substitute for your doctor's treatment plan.
Is bergamot safe for daily use?
The oral extract appears well tolerated when used short-term. We don't have solid data on long-term daily use, so check with your pharmacist about your specific situation.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Bergamot is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Bergamot label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bergamot's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 17 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Bergamot 17 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Naganuma M, Hirose S, Nakayama Y, et al. A study of the phototoxicity of lemon oil. Arch Dermatol Res 1985;278:31-6. . PubMed
  4. Kaddu, S., Kerl, H., and Wolf, P. Accidental bullous phototoxic reactions to bergamot aromatherapy oil. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 2001;45(3):458-461. PubMed
  5. Finsterer, J. Earl Grey tea intoxication. Lancet 4-27-2002;359(9316):1484. PubMed
  6. Gruson, L. M. and Chang, M. W. Berloque dermatitis mimicking child abuse. Arch.Pediatr.Adolesc.Med. 2002;156(11):1091-1093. PubMed
  7. Weisenseel, P. and Woitalla, S. [Toxic mustard plaster dematitis and phototoxic dematitis after application of bergamot oil]. MMW.Fortschr.Med. 12-15-2005;147(51-52):53, 55.
  8. Placzek, M., Fromel, W., Eberlein, B., Gilbertz, K. P., and Przybilla, B. Evaluation of phototoxic properties of fragrances. Acta Derm.Venereol. 2007;87(4):312-316. PubMed
  9. Mollace, V., Sacco, I., Janda, E., Malara, C., Ventrice, D., Colica, C., Visalli, V., Muscoli, S., Ragusa, S., Muscoli, C., Rotiroti, D., and Romeo, F. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: from animal models to human studies. F PubMed
  10. Morliere, P., Huppe, G., Averbeck, D., Young, A. R., Santus, R., and Dubertret, L. In vitro photostability and photosensitizing properties of bergamot oil. Effects of a cinnamate sunscreen. J.Photochem.Photobiol.B 1990;7(2-4):199-208. PubMed
  11. Young, A. R., Walker, S. L., Kinley, J. S., Plastow, S. R., Averbeck, D., Morliere, P., and Dubertret, L. Phototumorigenesis studies of 5-methoxypsoralen in bergamot oil: evaluation and modification of risk of human use in an albino mouse skin model. J.P PubMed
  12. Girard, J., Unkovic, J., Delahayes, J., and Lafille, C. [Phototoxicity of Bergamot oil. Comparison between humans and guinea pigs]. Dermatologica 1979;158(4):229-243.
  13. Zaynoun, S. T., Johnson, B. E., and Frain-Bell, W. A study of oil of bergamot and its importance as a phototoxic agent. II. Factors which affect the phototoxic reaction induced by bergamot oil and psoralen derivatives. Contact Dermatitis 1977;3(5):225-23 PubMed
  14. Zacher, K. D. and Ippen, H. [Contact dermatitis caused by bergamot oil]. Derm.Beruf.Umwelt. 1984;32(3):95-97.
  15. Yasui, Y. and Hirone, T. Action spectrum for bergamot-oil phototoxicity measured by sunburn cell counting. J.Dermatol. 1994;21(5):319-322. PubMed
  16. Zaynoun, S. T., Johnson, B. E., and Frain-Bell, W. A study of oil of bergamot and its importance as a phototoxic agent. I. Characterization and quantification of the photoactive component. Br.J.Dermatol. 1977;96(5):475-482. PubMed
  17. Bruno A, Pandolfo G, Crucitti M, Cedro C, Zoccali RA, Muscatello MRA. Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction Supplementation Improves Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia: Data From an 8-Week, Open-Label Pilot Study. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2017;37(4):468-71. PubMed

See these in context on the Bergamot monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring