Lemon is a very popular essential oil, and part of almost any aromatherapy starter kit. Is is well-loved, and common among the Western culture. The most common uses for Lemon essential oil are to rejuvenate, clean, and disinfect.
Use lemon oil for natural home cleaning, for diffusing, to make body scrubs, and more! The oil helps promote health, energy, and purification. Its invigorating aroma refreshes and uplifts.
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It can be anti-infectious, act as an astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, and anti-fungal. It’s also a superb detoxifier. A true power house essential oil for sure!
Lemon essential oil enjoys the nickname “Liquid Sunshine”. This ties into its yellow color, refreshing scent, and the energy that it provides.
What Is Lemon Essential Oil?
According to Wikipedia, the origin of Lemon is unknown. The first large cultivation of Lemons was in Europe, beginning in Genoa, in the middle of 15th century. Lemon water was introduced to the Americans in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. The Spanish explorations and annexations throughout the world helped spread lemon seeds.
The origin of the name “lemon” links to the Old French word “limon”. In the Italian language, the word relates to “limone”. Further, in Arabic to “laymūn” or “līmūn”, and to the Persian “līmūn”, which is a generic term for citrus fruit.
It is well-known that Lemon helps to remove toxins from the body.
How Is Lemon Essential Oil Made?
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is extracted from the lemon peel as the key ingredient, and not the inner fruit. The peel is the most nutrient dense part of a lemon.
The oil is made either by cold pressing, or steam distillation. The difference between steam distilled Lemon and cold pressed Lemon is that steam distilled Lemon is not phototoxic.
Phototoxicity is when there is a chance for skin reactions after using essential oils prior to exposing your skin to the sun. Steam distilled Lemon will always be labeled as such, since it is the non-standard way of extracting this popular citrus oil. Use steam distilled lemon in lotions, lip balms or other body care products without worrying about photosensitivity.
Organic vs. Non-Organic
Lemon essential oil is made from the rind of the citrus fruits. The fruit’s essential oils are contained in little “sacs” right underneath the peel.
In non-organic production, there are a lot more chemicals used while growing and cultivating lemon fruit trees. Organic Lemon essential oil means that less chemicals end up in your essential oil. I’m not talking chemicals added “later” (any oil you buy should be free of those). But there are also chemicals that occur because of the way the fruits were grown commercially.
I recommend organic Lemon if you plan to apply it to your skin or inhale. This one here is fantastic! For homemade cleaning products, regular lemon is fine.
- You may also like: Are organic essential oils better?
Top 6 Lemon Essential Oil Benefits
If you’re wondering how Lemon essential oil can benefit you, and how you can use it, you’re in the right place!
Here are the top 6 popular ways on how to use Lemon oil:
1. Skin Care
Essential oils can prevent skin inflammations such as acne or blackheads.
Lemon oil contains healthy natural acids. With its astringent and antimicrobial properties, it can benefit acne-prone skin by way of reducing oil production.
Adding one tiny drop of lemon essential oil to your daily cream will go a long way to rescue your troubled skin. It helps to cleanse the skin, remove dead skin cells, and reduce excessive oil. As Lemon can inhibit oil production, it’s a great choice for oily skin.
Lemon’s detoxifying elements rejuvenate sagging and tired-looking skin, so it’s a great anti-aging oil as well. Germs, sun rays and pollution can dull our skin. Who wouldn’t want to restore a radiant glow? Try using lemon essential oil as an additive to your beauty routine.
CAREFUL: Cold pressed Lemon essential oil is photosensitive. This means, if exposed to strong UV light after application on the skin, you could experience rashes or redness. Use steam distilled Lemon instead during summer months especially.
2. Hair Care
Try Lemon essential oil for better hair quality and texture.
Lemon essential oil is great to use as a hair tonic. It supports hair growth. It is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B, Folic Acid, and minerals like magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. These ingredients make lemon oil the perfect solution for voluminous healthy hair.
Due to its rich nutritional content, lemon essential oil is a great additive for scalp exfoliation and removing dead skin cells.
In a DIY hair mask, lemon essential oil will give your mane an extra boost, leaving hair clean and much stronger.
Lemon essential oil can blend well with your regular shampoo. It helps to fight dandruff, scalp itchiness and irritation. Add one drop to your dollop of shampoo.
3. Uplift Your Spirits
Diffusing Lemon provides uplifting effects.
Lemon oil has an uplifting nature. It can support people with mental fatigue, anxiety, nervous tension and exhaustion. The aroma alone may help increase your concentration level and alertness. By eliminating bad energy and giving away a positive vibe, it is also super refreshing!
Lemon is often used as an air freshener in offices, cars, buses and other private or public transport vehicles. Try it in a DIY car freshener, a simple room spray, or on your personal diffuser bracelet.
4. Stomach Aches
Lemon essential oil acts carminative, which means it can relieve flatulence. It is a great home remedy for gas and bloating, nausea, and the ever-unpleasant diarrhea. It helps to relieve many kinds of stomach problems including acidity, indigestion, cramps and an upset stomach.
Blend 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil and rub on the belly to suppress nausea. Do the same for a bloated belly massage. Applied topically, lemon oil benefits take effect within 20 minutes to 2 hours.
To diffuse, use 5-7 drops in your diffuser, breathe in and relax. Some diffusers’ plastic materials may suffer if you use citrus oils in them. Check your diffuser’s manual for any precautions or recommendations, and make sure you buy a product made from high quality plastics. You can also diffuse Lemon in these alternative ways.
- See also: Beginner’s Guide to Dilution Rates
5. Immunity Booster
Lemon is full of Vitamin C, which helps boost our immune system and supports a strong and healthy body.
Free radicals in our bodies are cause for inflammation. Lemons have a very high bioflavonoid content, which helps destroy harmful free radicals.
A further effect of lemon essential oil is the stimulation of our body’s white blood cell production. More white blood cells mean an increased ability for our body to fight viruses and diseases.
Lemon is a great addition to any immunity supporting blend, sniffle stopper, or cough home remedy. For an immunity supporting massage, blend 1 tbsp of carrier oil (such as Almond oil), with 9 drops of lemon oil. This blend boosts circulation, supports healthy blood pressure, and uplifts the mood.
See also:
- 7 Essential Oils that Boost Your Immune System (includes diffuser blends!)
- Best Essential Oils for the Cold & Flu Season
6. Natural Cleaning
A good Lemon essential oil is definitely a must-have in a natural home living environment. Because it is disinfectant, it is a good choice for cleaning your home. You can use it in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in your home. It cleans anything from dishes to metal surfaces.
Where to Buy Lemon Essential Oil?
Organic Lemon Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
Shop Here
If you want to give Lemon a try and you’re looking for a great essential oil company to shop with, here are a few of the Lemon oils I have tried and can recommend:
- Plant Therapy’s Organic Lemon Essential Oil ($9.95 / 10 ml *)
- Rocky Mountain Oils’ Organic Lemon Essential Oil ($13.95 ? 15 ml *)
* Prices at time of writing and may change without notice
Do you love lemon essential oil, or hate it? What is your best experience with this oil? Please share with us all in the comments below.
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I love putting a few drops of lemon in my dishwasher. Helps keep glasses sparkling and removes odors.