Cultivation and Harvesting:
Mentha citrata is native of Mediterranean countries, cultivated and commercialized in America, Europe, China, Thailand, Brazil, India. In the Mentha genus, there are four commercially cultivated species, these species differ in their chemical composition, aroma, and use. These species are as under:
1. Mentha arvensis -Japanese Mint/Menthol Mint
2. Mentha piperita – Peppermint
3. Mentha spicata -Spearmint
4. Mentha citrata -Bergamot mint

The crops do not produce seed and are propagated from underground parts like stolons, suckers, and runners. In India the cultivation was introduced during the year 1971-72 in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh, now Uttrakhand such as in Budaun, Kashipur, Rampur, Moradabad, and Haldwani. The ideal season for planting is in the month of January and two harvests are obtained in the month of April -May, and June-July. The crops grow well in the region where rainfall (50 to 100 cm), well-drained soil loam, sandy-loam to clay-loam in texture, pH in the range from 5.8 to 8.0, and temperature (35 to 40°C). The usual spacing is 40 to 60 cm between rows and 10 cm in the rows. Nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers are useful.

Mentha citrata is a water-loving plant and demands heavy irrigation during summer, if rainfall is not proper then regular irrigation is required. During harvesting the crop cut over the ground when it commences bearing flowers.

The mature crops contain 0.40 to 0.90% percent essential oil as a fresh weight basis. The crop is cut 8 to 10 cm above the ground level. The harvested crop is left in the field for 5 to 10 hours to allow it to wilt and reduce its volume/weight. The wilted crop is carried and feed into the distillation unit( steam distillation unit) and the crop is distilled within 90 minutes. The oil is slightly acidic in nature and galvanized steel drums are used for storage of the oil.

Linalool and linalyl acetate are the main constituents of Bergamot mint oil. The oil is used directly in perfumes. The requirements and methods of tests for Mentha citrata oil are as per IS 13261: 1991.

Odor profile:
Sweet-herbaceous, fruity, citrus Aroma

Major Constituents:
Linalool, Linalyl acetate, Linalool oxide, Menthone, Menthol
Terpineol, Terpinene, Cymene, Ocimene, Sabinene, Thujene, Pinene, Caryophyllene, Myrcene, n-Octanol, Limonene, 1,8-Cineole, Nerol, Neral, Carvone, Geranial, Geranyl acetate, Eudesmol, Elemene, Humulene, and Farnesene, etc.

Application:
~ Mentha Citrata oil has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antiviral properties.
~ It is used as deodorant, expectorant, tonic, sedative, and stimulant.
~ It is also used to treat digestive disorders, stomach aches, headaches, nausea, removing anxiety, fear, stress, and nervous system disorders.
~ In industries it is used as a perfuming and flavoring agent in detergents, soaps, pain balms, cough syrups, hair oils, massage oils, and many more products.