What is Lemon Oil?
Lemon oil is most popular in aromatherapy for its energizing and anti-bacterial properties. Thus, it is one the most common scents used to promote household cleaning products and toiletries. Its extreme benefits were recognized in World War I, where due to the fruit’s high vitamin C content lemons were used to treat scurvy on board ships. It is also one of the most popular aromas used in hospitals.
What is its origin?
Lemon oil (citrus limonum) is obtained from the rind of the fruit by either cold pressing with a sponge which is then squeezed to obtain the oil or by distillation.
What does it smell like?
Lemon oil has a fresh and zingy citrus aroma.
What is it good for?
Lemon oil, like rose oil and lavender oil, has a wealth of benefits supporting the immune, glandular, digestive and circulatory systems. Some of its many benefits are as follows: Lemon oil has very good antibacterial and astringent properties and so is good for those suffering from oily, clogged skin. It can be used as an active ingredient in order to combat fluid retention, as well as reducing the appearance of cellulite. It can be used as part of conditioning regime for people with blonde hair. It is a very good stimulant of the body’s own immune system; activating white blood cell formation and helping protect the body illnesses. It is considered beneficial, like rose oil, in the treatment of male sterility. It can be used to treat skin irritations caused by insect bites. It is good for relieving tension as it is a good muscle relaxant. It can be used to treat stomach upsets as it counteracts high acidity. Its refreshing scent and antiseptic properties means that is used to purify the air, killing germs whilst also easing mental exhaustion and energising aching bodies.
What are its particular benefits?
Lemon oil’s uplifting and energizing properties means that it is one of the essential oils that works most effectively on stimulating the brain and uplifting the spirits, as the scent of lemon oil has high vibrations. It has in turn, been proven that lemon oil effectively increases concentration levels and the ability to memorize. Also unlike emotionally stimulating oils such as jasmine or ylang ylang, lemon oil is a rational oil helping to calm and subdue or even help prevent emotional outbursts.
It is gentle enough to use in moderation on small children.
Precautions
Care should be taken in choosing the right lemon oil for aromatherapy. Unsuitable lemon oils may have stabilisers added to them to increase shelf life or be taken from an inorganic source so that there remain traces of insecticide in the oil.
Do not use on skin exposed to direct sunlight. Use with caution on sensitive or damaged skin. Before using lemon on the skin, test a tiny amount of the undiluted oil in the bend of your arm.
How can it be applied?
Like lavender oil, lemon oil can be applied undiluted to the skin to treat insect bites but caution should be taken with sensitive skin. It may also be taken orally to help with asthma, high acidity in the body and to strengthen the heart and promote red blood cell formation. It is good for use in a sitz bath and makes a good addition to a sauna bath. As it is a good muscle tonic it is also an excellent massage oil. As a massage oil it can relieve lymph glands congested from infection and reduce bloating. It is also one of the best oils to use in a vaporiser. When applied with a cold compress it can be very soothing for fevers. For the treatment of itchy skin irritations such as eczema and measles lemon oil can be added to a sponge bath.
See also Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy Massage.