Lemon essential oil is of course a citrus oil. It is obtained from either steam distilled or cold press. It has many uses and benefits such as its powerful anti-bacterial with its ability to keep your house smelling clean, as well as being clean. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 1000 years. English sailors ate lemons to keep from getting scurvy and to treat bacterial infections. Lemons are well used in the food industry and have made its way into the essential oil users medicine cabinet. With its powerful antioxidant properties its sure to find a way into yours. Read on for more benefits and uses.
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Where are lemons from?
Lemons are grown all over the world including the Mediterranean such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Israel. They are also grown in places such as Mexico, California, Chili, and Belize. It is also grown in China, where is has been grown for over 2,500 years. Lemons were introduced in the Americas in the mid-1700. Lemons trees can grow up to 20 feet tall and produce flowers that lead to the lemon fruit.
Lemon Oil Safety Issues
As with any essential oil you do not want to ingest Lemon. It is highly corrosive. It, like other essential oils, can eat away at plastics and does so very quickly. You can test this out by dropping a few drops of lemon onto a plastic or Styrofoam plate. You can see the plastic erode. So, the best ways to use Lemon is topically or via inhalation.
Keep Reading: Can Lemon Essential Oil Eat Plastic?
Lemon Essential oil is made two ways. Steam distilled or cold press. The difference between these is that steam distilled is not phototoxic while cold pressed is phototoxic. Phototoxic means that if applied topically it could cause skin irritations, blisters or burns if the skin is exposed to sunlight. Steam distilled has no topical max dilution rate and will not cause any issue if exposed to the sun.
This oil is safe for all ages (as a general rule avoid all essential oils for infants). Pregnant and nursing mothers can use this essential oil without any issues. It is safe for dogs, but not cats.
Lemon Essential Oil Benefits
Lemon essential oil has the ability to nourish the skin as well as hydrate the skin. It benefits the skin by reducing acne and eczema, and psoriasis. It is also beneficial to wrinkles and scars. This oil may also help treat blisters, bug bites, and treat wounds. It may also treat viral infections such as cold sores and warts. It also fights bacteria and fungi.
Lemon is a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation. It may help ease digestive issues such as gas, bloating and constipation. It relieves nausea and morning sickness in pregnant women.
Lemon essential oil can help stimulate the lymphatic system, reducing fluid buildup that causes you to cough. Lemon is also helpful at reducing swollen lymph nodes.
Like many other essential oils, lemon oil is great for the respiratory system. It may help fight congestion, bronchitis, pneumonia, and whooping cough. It may also help with allergies.
As being a powerful antimicrobial agent as a natural cleaning product it is very useful at cleaning thus killing germs, bacteria, and fungi. When diffused it is an excellent at cleaning airborne germs.
Lemon Essential Oil Uses
Make an all-natural homemade disinfectant with Lemon Essential oil but combining 20 drops Lemon essential oils, 10 drop tea tree oil with 4 ounces vinegar and 4 ounces water in an 8-ounce spray bottle. Spray on counter tops, door handles or anywhere germs may be and wipe down.
You can boost your immune system by combining 2-3 drops lemon essential oil to a teaspoon carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil and rubbing onto neck and chest.
Improve your digestion by mixing 2 drops lemon essential oil with 1 teaspoon carrier oil and massaging onto your abdomen area.
This oil can be used as a natural residue remover. Simply take a few drops of lemon oil and rub onto sticky residue on the affected area. You can also use lemon essential oi to remove gum and stickers.
Diffuse a few drops of lemon essential oil to improve mood and fight depression.
To help clear up phlegm, relieve coughs and to relieve a stuffy nose diffuse 3-4 drops of lemon essential oil or inhale directly from the bottle. You could also mx 2 drops to one teaspoon carrier oil and rub on chest and nose.
To help eliminate nausea and reduce vomiting inhale lemon essential oil. You could also diffuse 3-4 drops in a diffuser. Another possibility would be to mix 2-3 drop lemon essential oil into a teaspoon carrier oil and massage onto chest, neck, and forehead.
Keep Reading: Tea Tree Essential Oil
Keep Reading: Peppermint Essential Oil
Quick Facts
Common Name: Lemon
Botanical Name: Citrus Limon
Extraction Method: Steam distilled (not phototoxic) or cold pressed (phototoxic)
Plant Source: Fruit Peel
Key Constituents: Limonene, b-pinene
Maximum dilution: 2% for cold pressed, none for steam distilled
Scent: Fresh citrus
Shelf Life: 2 years
Blends Well With: Other citrus oils, cedarwood, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, sandalwood
Wrapping It Up
Lemon is my most used essential oil. I usually purchase it from Plant Therapy. They offer quality, 100% pure essential oils and share the GC/MS report right on the webpage. I use and recommend Plant Therapy. Click on the link below to take a look.
What do you use Lemon Essential Oil for? Please leave a comment below.
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This information is for informative and educational uses only. It is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any illness. Please consult with your health care professional if you are taking any medications or health issues or have any questions about your health.
Resources:
One of my favorite resources is Lea Jacobson form Using Essential Oils Safely. She has a ton of free resources such has 30 days of Free Essential Oil Safety Files and a Learning Center with tons of information. You can get free recipes, what to do in an essential oil emergency, information about EO’s during pregnancy and so much more! Simply click HERE to find out more!
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