Lemon Oil

Do you feel like you need to brighten up your living environment? Give your home some extra freshness? Is your sense of wellbeing in need of an invigorating boost? The spring-fresh aroma of lemon oil is associated with cleanliness and a tidy feeling, brightness and sunshine – a refreshing, reviving fragrance. Lemon oil gives you a mental boost. Do you want to make sure that insects like mosquitoes, flies and silverfish avoid your home? Lemon oil is not harmful to insects, but it does drive them away as they dislike lemon scent. 

Lemon Origin & Characteristics

The lemon (Citrus Limon) is the yellow-coloured fruit of the lemon tree. This tree is an evergreen, growing to about 20 feet tall. The lemon tree will only start bearing fruit from the age of 3 to 5 years. Its leaves and blossoms are just as aromatic as the green fruits, which naturally acquire that fantastic yellow colour through sun ripening.

The sour taste of lemon is caused by the citric acid, which is also present in many other citrus fruits. Lemon’s true origin is unknown, although they are believed to have been first cultivated in Assam (a northeastern part of India), northern Burma or China. Lemon was first introduced to Persia, Iraq and Egypt and many centuries later also to the New World, functioning mainly as an ornamental plant and used in some remedies. As an experiment, lemon juice was added to the diet of sailors suffering from scurvy. Lemons became more popular with sailors as (without their knowing) lemons supplemented the men’s vitamin deficiencies, which provided protection against other bacterial infections. The fact that lemon juice is packed with vitamin C was not yet known, nor was it listed as an important nutritional ingredient.

As we know now, lemons contain numerous phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenes, and tannins. Lemon juice contains slightly more citric acid than lime juice, nearly twice the amount of citric acid as in grapefruit juice, and about five times more than the amount found in orange juice.

Lemon Oil & Benefits

It goes without saying that lemons, like the other citrus fruits, are especially healthy due to their high vitamin C content. Lemon juice is widely used, whether for culinary purposes or as a remedy for colds. But did you know that at least half of lemon’s healthy benefits remain unused, sadly ending up in the waste bin? Together with the lemon peel, we usually throw out the many beneficial properties that they contain.

The amount of vitamins in the lemon peel is five to ten times higher than in lemon juice. Lemon peel contains important healing substances such as citronella, phellandrene, vitamin C, citric acid, malic acid, formic acid, hesperidin and pectin. Curious about the amazing health benefits of lemon peel? These are some of them:

• very powerful in removing toxins from the body. This can help to purify the liver and provide a rejuvenating effect at the same time.
• aids digestion and prevents constipation. It counteracts abdominal bloating and reduces intestinal gas.
• promotes alkalization of the blood and may help lower high blood pressure.
• strengthens the immune system due to the presence of vitamin C and other vitamins. This will help prevent infections, colds, flu and breathing issues.
• a natural antiseptic and has astringent properties.
• counteracts nervousness. 

Lemon oil is obtained by cold pressing the outer parts of the peels. This creates a thin oil with a nearly illuminating colour of pale yellow to yellowish-green. The aroma of lemon oil is that appealing fresh lemon scent we all are so familiar with. Lemon oil is the perfect oil to chase winter away from your home, head and body. It’s like a gentle breeze blowing through your soul, dusting away all the silk from the past and bringing you back into the here and now. Lemon oil gives brightness to a room and makes it feel fresh and cheerful. The nickname “liquid sunshine” is undeniably deserved.

Lemon oil is well known and used for its therapeutic and curative properties. Lemon oil’s many health benefits include its antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, curative, and immune-boosting properties. In addition, it is capable of reducing anxiety and symptoms of depression.

Lemon Oil for Skin care

Blemished skin, such as pimples, itching and wounds, can be easily treated by cleaning the skin with lemon oil. Simply mix a few drops in a glass of boiled water and treat the affected area twice a day. The symptoms of an insect bite can be relieved with a few drops of diluted lemon oil, applied to a cotton pad, to dab the bite. In addition, lemon oil is able to promote quick recovery of pimples and acne scars.

Reduce or prevent verrucas  and calluses on the feet by massaging them twice a day with 2 to 3 drops of lemon oil diluted with a tablespoon of carrier oil, such as almond oil. It will simultaneously provide stronger nails.

Gargling with lemon water can dispel odours in the mouth and help soothe sore gums. Diluted lemon oil can be used for whitening the teeth, meanwhile cleansing the mouth.

Lemon Oil & Aromatherapy

Lemon essential oil is a true classic in aromatherapy, and for good reason. Lemon oil is stimulating, refreshing and disinfecting. Just a few drops of lemon oil in an evaporator will provide a fresh, clean atmosphere. Due to its cleansing effect, it’s very popular in household products as well.

Lemon oil has several uses and a variety of benefits. Partly due to the clean-fresh citrus aroma, lemon is known for its purifying properties. Commonly used in cleaning products and air purifiers, this essential oil has distinct cleaning and deodorizing properties making it a popular choice for surface and air purification. 

The major component found in lemon oil is limonene, making up around 50% of the content in lemon oil. This substance is a lemon scented monoterpene with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon essential oil is antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, insecticidal, rubefacient, tonic, vermifuge. These positive properties make lemon oil an important essential oil. It is one of the best oils to be used for flu and colds and it can protect the body against infections. Lemon oil is an ideal means to disinfect the atmosphere in, for example, a sick room.

Lemon oil can be diffused or, if diluted with a carrier oil, applied topically to the skin. To relieve symptoms of cold and flu, lemon oil can be used in an aroma lamp or vaporizer. Breathing the diffused oil helps to clear blockages, boost energy levels and feel refreshed. 

Lemon Oil for Massage

Does the scent of lemon oil already have a positive impact on your feeling of well-being? It is also ideal as an anti-cellulite treatment and for cleansing and toning the skin. Add lemon oil to a carrier oil for a delightful massage.

Lemon Oil for a Mental Boost
Lemon oil improves your mood, stimulates and sharpens the mind, and has a strengthening effect on memory. Ideal on those days when you depend on your concentration, such as during an exam. Tired or sluggish feelings disappear in a blink of an eye with this purifying scent. And the whole body will benefit from lemon oil’s aroma! It strengthens the immune system, has a broadening effect on your airways and counteracts complaints such as fever and headaches. 

Nasty odours, even the pungent smell of cigarette smoke, are quickly dispelled by evaporating lemon oil. Diffuse lemon oil in your bedroom with an aroma lamp or vaporizer during periods when there are many mosquitoes. As mosquitoes dislike lemon scent, they will surely avoid your room!

Uses for Aromatherapy
For an invigorating bath: 3 to 6 drops of lemon oil are sufficient, add to running water, so it blends well.
Revive with a soothing massage: mix a few drops of lemon oil with about 10 ml of carrier oil, such as argan or jojoba oil.
Relieve cold with a steam bath: add 2 drops of lemon oil to a bowl of boiling water or a vaporizer. Due to its antibacterial effect it helps with throat infections.

Lemon oil also has a disinfecting and cleansing effect on the skin. When diluted and applied topically, lemon essential oil can kill bacteria trapped in pores and prevent breakouts. The antioxidants and vitamin C can purify your skin, gently exfoliating dead skin cells, and preventing infections in the hair follicle and pores.

Lemon Oil and other uses

There are also many other ways to use lemon oil in your daily household activities.
Extend the shelf life of fresh fruit? Place the fruit in a bowl filled with cold water mixed with about 2-3 drops of lemon oil.
Spotless dishes? Just a drop of lemon oil in the dishwasher at the beginning of the program will give the desired result.
Stubborn stains are a thing of the past! With just a drop of lemon oil, you can remove stains caused by pen, oil, grease, gum and glue from most surfaces. Two drops mixed with a litre of carpet cleaner not only refreshes the carpet, the whole room benefits from the fresh scent.

Safe use of Lemon Oil

Lemon essential oil is non-toxic and generally does not cause irritation. It is strongly discouraged to apply directly on the skin just before sun exposure as it is phototoxic. This oil is not meant for consumption and contact with the eyes should be avoided. Inhaling evaporated lemon oil through a vaporizer, fragrance diffuser or on a tissue does not pose any risk.