Lemon
How To Use Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is a great oil to have on hand next to your diffuser year round. A cheerful scent with a delicious sweetness, its ability to uplift the mood is almost unparalleled. Not only will Lemon uplift the mood, but it will also purify the air in the home and in the workplace.
- Freshen Up Blend: In your diffuser, mix Lemon oil, Lavender oil, Neroli oil and Tea Tree oil to freshen and purify the air.
- Direct Palm Inhalation: To receive the cheerful, invigorating effects of our pure Lemon oil, inhale Lemon mixed with Lavender.
- This is a great pick-me-up: Try it instead of reaching for a cup of tea or coffee.
Lemon Oil Precautions
Like many citrus essential oils, Lemon oil is phototoxic. This means that when an essential oil is applied topically, exposure to sunlight (UV rays to be exact) causes the skin to become hyper-sensitive and burn much more easily. It is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for at least 12 hours after using Lemon oil on the skin.
Other Ways To Use Lemon Essential Oil
- Massage Blend:
Use a drop or two in your massage essential oil blend and carrier oil if your intention for the healing session is invigorating and uplifting. Lemon helps to clear the way for new emotional patterns to develop. Please note safety considerations (above) before applying Lemon essential oil to skin.
- Household Cleaner:
Add Lemon essential oil to water in a spray bottle and use as a cleanser to purify surfaces in the home and workplace. Add a drop or two to the laundry cycle for a fresh effect.
- For Pain Relief
A natural way to reduce pain signals in the brain was found with Lemon oil aromatherapy. The study, published in 2002, was conducted on lab rats during a persistent experience of pain; the rats that inhaled the aroma of Lemon oil showed a decrease in behaviors indicative of pain.
- Enhance Mood & Concentration
If you have ever deeply inhaled the scent of Lemon oil, you’ve probably noticed that it has a stimulating, and yet calming, influence in the mind. In an effort to better understand the relationship between smell and mood, researchers examined the psychological and physiological impact of smelling either Lemon oil, lavender oil, or plain water before and after experiencing a stressor.
Of the 56 healthy volunteers, those that smelled Lemon oil reported increased positive mood – despite having their hands plunged in ice water! The researchers also measured stress hormones and found that norepinephrine, which plays a role in cognition and learning, was maintained at elevated levels after inhaling Lemon oil.
- Lessen Stress & Anxiety
One of the great paradoxes of Lemon oil is its ability to invigorate and relax. In addition to its anti-depressant and cognition-boosting qualities, Lemon oil aromatherapy was shown to calm the nerves and relieve stress in two separate studies.
- Lose Weight
It may seem like a bold statement, but Lemon oil can actually help you lose weight by suppressing weight gain, dissolving body fat, and reducing appetite. This was demonstrated in a study where exposure to a blend of Lemon oil and Grapefruit oil aromatherapy increased reduced body weight in lab rats.
- Alleviate Morning Sickness
A clinical trial from 2014 examined the effects of Lemon oil aromatherapy on pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness. Involving more than 100 participants, the study determined that inhaling Lemon oil as soon as feelings of nausea were present had the effect of drastically reducing queasiness and retching as well as an overall decrease in the intensity of those symptoms.
From:
Lemon Oil for Your Hair
Caused by an overzealous sebaceous gland, greasy hair can leave your tresses limp, flat, and stringy no matter how much you wash it. As with oily skin, Lemon oil can reduce the amount of sebum on the scalp, as well as help balance the production of oils.
Shampoo Recipe:
- ½ cup of liquid castile soap
- 1 cup of water
- 20 drops of Lemon oil
Hair Rinse Recipe:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 3 drops of Lemon oil
From: Natural Living Ideas
Lemon Oil Skin Toner
Lemon oil is an astringent – meaning that it constricts bodily tissues when applied topically. For this reason, Lemon oil may be used for deep cleansing of the skin while also shrinking pores. Terrific for oily skin types, Lemon oil acts as a natural toner that reduces the amount of sebum (oily or waxy substances) produced by the sebaceous glands. Since overactive sebaceous glands are a major cause of acne, cysts, hyperplasia, and other inflammations of the skin, adding Lemon oil to your daily skin care regimen can help heal and prevent breakouts.
Recipe:
- ½ cup of water
- ½ cup of witch hazel
- 40 drops of Lemon essential oil
Use as you would any skin toner or astringent.
Lemon Oil Precautions
Like many citrus essential oils, Lemon oil is phototoxic. This means that when an essential oil is applied topically, exposure to sunlight (UV rays to be exact) causes the skin to become hyper-sensitive and burn much more easily. It is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for at least 12 hours after using Lemon oil on the skin.
From: Natural Living Ideas
Fat Dissolving Massage Recipe
It may seem like a bold statement, but Lemon oil can actually help you lose weight by suppressing weight gain, dissolving body fat, and reducing appetite. The rind of many citrus fruits – including Lemon – contain high amounts of the organic compound limonene.
Limonene has the ability to facilitate lipolysis – the breakdown of white adipose tissue, which is the type of fat the body stores for energy. The connection between limonene and lipolysis was demonstrated in a study where exposure to a blend of Lemon oil and grapefruit oil aromatherapy increased lipolysis and reduced body weight in lab rats.
Fat Dissolving Massage Recipe:
- ¼ cup of sweet almond oil
- 7 drops of pure Lemon oil
- 7 drops of Grapefruit oil
Lemon Oil Precautions
Like many citrus essential oils, Lemon oil is phototoxic. This means that when an essential oil is applied topically, exposure to sunlight (UV rays to be exact) causes the skin to become hyper-sensitive and burn much more easily. It is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for at least 12 hours after using Lemon oil on the skin.
From: Natural Living Ideas
Treat Candida With Lemon Oil
Most commonly expressed as a yeast infection when it’s running rampant, Candida is a class of fungus that is often a normal part of good oral and intestinal health. Its overgrowth, however, can affect the skin, throat, mouth, genitals, and, if left untreated, can even invade the blood.
Because of its antifungal properties, Lemon oil can be used as a natural remedy for yeast infections. A recent study found that Lemon oil was able to inhibit the growth of various Candida strains. This is likely because of Lemon oil’s high monoterpenoid content, which has an antimicrobial effect. You can use the following recipe as an external skin treatment once per day. If there’s no improvement after a week, you should see a healthcare practitioner.
Recipe:
- 3 cups of lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
- 3 drops of Lemon oil
- 4 drops of Tea Tree oil
Lemon Oil Precautions
Like many citrus essential oils, Lemon oil is phototoxic. This means that when an essential oil is applied topically, exposure to sunlight (UV rays to be exact) causes the skin to become hyper-sensitive and burn much more easily. It is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for at least 12 hours after using Lemon oil on the skin.
From: Natural Living Ideas
Make Your Own Lemon Oil
It’s not difficult to make your own Lemon Oil. These simple recipes use the cold process method. Because this method does not use heat the enzymes and micronutrients are better preserved, but the Lemon oil you make will not be as strong as the distilled Lemon essential oil that you might purchase.
Recipe #1
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- Cold-pressed olive oil
Directions
Grate the outside of the lemon over a bowl. Fill a small glass bottle halfway with the grated lemon zest. Fill the rest of the bottle with olive oil. Set the bottle on a windowsill or somewhere else that gets a lot of sun.
Leave it there for a few days, but shake the bottle a few times per day. Store lemon oil in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe #2
Ingredients
- Lemons
- Coconut Oil
Directions
Wash and dry lemons. Using a vegetable peeler, cut thin slivers of the yellow skin in long ribbons. (Or if you have a zester, use that!) Make sure not to peel off the bitter white pith, just the outside will do. Pack peels tightly in a jar, then pour in just enough coconut oil to cover.
Place in a sunny window for 1-2 weeks, shaking every day. Strain peels and pour oil into a jar. Store in a dark cabinet or the fridge.
Recipe #3
I prefer an olive oil infusion for salads, but because it’s so vulnerable to oxidation via sunlight I let mine “steep” longer in a dark cabinet to attains its distinct flavor. Like the cold process coconut oil version, this method preserves enzymes and micronutrients.
Ingredients
- Lemons
- Olive Oil
Directions
Wash and dry lemons. Using a vegetable peeler, cut thin slivers of the yellow skin in long ribbons. (Or if you have a zester, use that!) Make sure not to peel off the bitter white pith, just the outside will do. Pack peels snugly in a jar, then pour in just enough olive oil to cover. Seal tightly and place in a dark cabinet for 1-2 months, shaking every few days.
Strain peels and pour oil into a jar. Store in a dark cabinet or the fridge.
Sources:
Lemonade Room Spray
What’s better than a cool, refreshing glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day? How about this all-natural, homemade lemonade air freshener? The sweet, tangy smell of Lemon combines with subtle notes of Basil and Spearmint to give your home a fresh, sunny vibe no matter the weather outside. And not only does it smell great, but with the therapeutic benefits of essential oil, it’s also helps energize, clear the mind, and focus on the task at hand.
To make room spray:
- Fill 8 oz glass spray bottle about 3/4 full with distilled water
- Fill most of the rest of the way full with Witch Hazel
- 28 drops Lemon essential oil
- 6 drops Basil essential oil
- 6 drops Spearmint essential oil
- put on sprayer top and shake well to mix
To use: Shake bottle gently before each use. Spray into the air to freshen room. Use as often as needed.
Source: One Essential Community
Perk Up Diffuser Blend
Here is a great Diffuser Blend to try, it will make you home smell good and it is perfect for a natural perk up in the morning before work or school:
- 2 drops Lemon essential oil
- 2 drops Orange essential oil
- 2 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops Rosemary essential oil
Source: Loving Essential Oils
Fresh and Clean Bathroom Blends
Here are a few to try for a fresh and clean scent your bathroom. These blends can be used in a diffuser or a room spray. Experiment with the proportions of each essential oil and create your own custom blend
- Lavender + Lemon
- Eucalyptus + Spearmint
- Orange + Grapefruit
- Lemon + Rosemary + Lavender
Mental Clarity Inhalation Blend
- 8 drops Rosemary oil
- 4 drops Peppermint oil
- 4 drops Lemon oil.
Use neat if diffusing, or dilute with 15 ml of carrier oil for direct inhalation.
Source: Floracopeia
