Lemon: The Essential Oil That’s Full Of Sparkle

Lemon essential oil is full of optimism, energy and sparkle. That’s why it’s one of the most popular essential oils and one that everyone should have in their collection. It’s traditionally used to lift spirits, boost immunity and as a cold and flu fighter.

You can also use it as a natural disinfectant for your home and workplace. Just add 20 drops of it to a cup of water and a couple of teaspoons of hand dishwashing liquid and mix in a glass jar.

Its aroma awakens the senses and brings alertness and good cheer. It’s ideal for anyone who needs to concentrate and focus such as students, truck drivers or anyone wishing to get things done. You can diffuse it or dilute it with salts and add it to your bath or dilute with a carrier oil and massage yourself with it (add up to 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil). We don’t recommend ingesting lemon essential oil because essential oils are extremely potent, and the long-term effects of ingesting them are not known.

Note that although it is nontoxic, it may cause dermal irritation or sensitization reactions in some individuals. So always dilute it as specified above and use in moderation. It is phototoxic, which means you should not use it on skin that is likely to be exposed to direct sunlight.

The lemon tree is said to have originated in Asia and eastern India. It was brought via Arabia to Sicily in the 12th century and then to the Americas in 1493 by Christopher Columbus.

It has white star-shaped blossoms and deep green leaves, and each tree yields about 200 pounds of lemons in a year, which produces a mere pound of essential oil. It is often produced by cold-pressing the peel of the green fruit, not the ripe yellow lemon.

Originally, lemons were used to prevent scurvy, and were carried on ships for this reason. Many doctors traditionally used lemon for acute rheumatism, persistent hiccoughs, jaundice and to treat heart palpitations.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST WAYS TO USE LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL:

• To purify the air: Diffuse it.
• To improve concentration and clear thinking and to remove fatigue and indecision: Diffuse it or dilute and add to a bath.
• To improve immunity and help prevent colds, flus, throat infections: Diffuse it to help kill airborne viruses or dilute and use in a whole body massage (as described above).
• To improve circulation: Do a whole body massage (as described above). It is said to improve blood viscosity, decrease plaque in the arteries, reduce cholesterol, help heal broken capillaries and reduce nosebleeds.
• Hemorrhoids: Dilute (as described above) and apply to affected areas.
• Insect bites: Dilute (as described above) and apply to affected areas.
• Digestive issues: Do a whole body massage (as described above) or just massage on the stomach and abdomen.
• To reduce acidity in the body: Do a whole body massage (as described above).
• Rheumatism, gout, arthritis: Do a whole body massage (as described above) or just massage affected areas.
• Excess body fat, cellulite, varicose veins: Do a whole body massage (as described above) or just massage affected areas or dilute and add to a bath.
• Skin problems such as oily skin, acne, eczema, itchy skin, abscesses or boils: Dilute and massage affected areas (as described above) or add to skincare products.
• Asthma: Use a nebulizing diffuser or dilute (as described above) and massage into the chest area.
• Heartburn: Dilute (as described above) and massage into the chest and throat.

Lemon essential oil blends well with Benzoin, Elemi, Fennel, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Neroli, Rose, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Grapefruit and other citrus oils. It is a top fragrance note. It is composed of limonene, terpinene, pinenes, sabinene, myrcene, citral, linalool, geraniol, octanol, nonanol, citronellal, bergamotene.

What are your favorite ways to use lemon essential oil? Please comment below so all can benefit.

Disclaimer: The statements made on this page have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If a condition persists, please contact your physician or healthcare provider. The information provided is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare provider, and should not be construed as medical advice.

Original Published: 2016-06-05 / Last Modified: 2021-10-11