Skip to content
What Is Lemon Oil?
Lemon essential oil has been a part of traditional medicine systems since long due to its countless health benefits. Lemon oil is derived from the fruit of a lemon plant that is believed to be native to Asia. The lemon peels are the most nutrient-rich part of the lemon due to its fat-soluble phytonutrients and therefore, the essential oil is extracted from the peels rather than the inner fruit. The peels of the citrus fruit are cold pressed to obtain the concentrated oil. The oil is pale greenish-yellow in colour and offers a sharp but refreshing, fruity and citrusy aroma similar to that of a freshly sliced lemon fruit. The two essential ingredients in lemon oil include limonene and Citra, that contributes to its anti-anaemic, anti-rheumatic, anti-sclerotic, antiseptic, carminative properties and antimicrobial properties. The oil has an approximate 6,619 ORAC value that makes it exceptionally high in antioxidants. Furthermore, the pH balance of lemon juice present in lemon oil is 2 to 3.
25 Benefits Of Lemon Essential Oil
Health Benefits
1. Energy Booster
Like other oils of the citrus family, lemon oil helps to feel refreshed. Use this in a diffuser to feel energized.
2. Comforts Sore Throat
Lemon oil is brilliant for sore throats because it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamin C, improves salivation and also helps to keep the throat moist. You can inhale the warm steam infused with the goodness of lemon essential oil to avail the benefits of lemon oil for a sore throat.
3. Eases Nausea
Lemon essential oil doesn't’t only treat digestive issues such as gastritis and constipation but provides relief from nausea and vomiting as well.
4. Relieves Stress
Lemon essential oil can be both applied topically or diffused in your room to eliminate stress, mental fatigue, anxiety, exhaustion, dizziness, nervousness and improve concentration and alertness. The refreshing aroma stimulates a soothing sensation that promotes a positive mindset and uplifts your mood. You can also add a few drops of the oil to your bathwater and instantly feel rejuvenated.
Also Read : How To Reduce Stress - Simple Ways To Overcome Stress In Life
5. Removes Fungus
The natural antifungal and antiseptic properties of lemon oil make it a great option for preventing and healing fungal attacks. You can externally apply well diluted lemon essential oil on fungal skin infections to treat them (1% lemon oil in a carrier oil). Also, you can use it with your cleaning products to ensure your house is free from harmful microbes, fungus and pathogens.
6. Relieves Arthritis
The anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties of lemon oil not only offers relief from the inflammation on the skin, swelling and joint pain but also helps to prevent arthritis to a certain extent. Applying an oil pack made of castor oil and the lemon essential oil is known to aid the process of treating arthritis. Make sure you are using a therapeutic grade lemon essential oil to avail the maximum benefit.
7. Freshens Breath
One of the many lemon essential oil uses include it being an excellent remedy to fight off nasty breath. The refreshing essence of lemon is known to neutralize any bad odour and eliminate bacteria and plaque in the mouth. In order to get a fresh breath, prepare a solution by adding 1 drop of lemon essential oil and peppermint oil each in 1/2 cup of water. Gargle your mouth with this easy DIY natural mouth freshener.
8. Reduces Allergy Symptoms
The lemon essential oil acts as an excellent solution for preventing and reducing the allergy symptoms that are common in many individuals, during seasonal changes. The oil contains rubefacient and anti-pyretic properties that help to treat fever and skin redness. Inhaling lemon essential oil also helps to encourage good airflow and cuts down the effects of allergens in the air.
For Skin Care And Hair Care
1. Skin Cleanser
The lemon essential oil acts as a gentle skin cleanser and can eliminate dirt and oil from deep within your skin without stripping off the natural moisture. The detoxifying nature of lemon oil helps in clearing your face from pimples and acne. You can add a few drops of the oil to any homemade face mask or simply wash your face with warm water with 1 to 2 drops of lemon essential oil mixed, to remove any makeup residue.
2. Teeth Whitening
As mentioned above, lemon oil has natural cleansing properties and hence, can be useful for teeth whitening. Prepare a mixture by adding ¬Ω teaspoon of baking soda and coconut oil each, to 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil. Rub your teeth with this mixture for a couple of minutes and then rinse with warm water. Regular usage will make your teeth appear whiter and shiny.
3. Sanitize Hands
The use of lemon essential oil for skin isn’t just limited to its cleansing properties but also acts as an excellent natural disinfectant due to its antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. You can either blend few drops of the oil with any gentle hand moisturiser or use it with distilled water to make your homemade chemical-free hand sanitizer.
4. Helps To Remove Dandruff
Lemon essential oil for hair benefits includes its effectiveness in getting rid of dandruff and other scalp issues. Dilute the lemon oil with 6 to 7 teaspoons of castor oil or coconut oil and gently massage it onto your scalp to prevent dandruff and itchy, irritated scalp. Washing your hair with lemon oil infused warm water will help in degreasing oily hair and balance out the oil production in your scalp.
5. Nail Paint Remover
Did you know citrus essential oils can be used as an effective replacement for chemical-laden acetone nail polish removers! Prepare a concoction with 2 -3 drops of lemon and sweet orange essential oils and add 5 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar. This solution not only works well as a nail polish remover but also helps to soften your cuticles and restore the health of your nails.
6. Blackhead Remover
Getting rid of blackheads can be a difficult task, especially for people with oily skin. Lemon oil has the power to tighten and shrink your large facial skin pores as well as balance the oil content of your skin, preventing the development of blackheads. Prepare a face pack by mixing 1 tsp baking soda and 1 drop lemon essential oil with 1 tsp honey. Apply a layer of the mixture after taking a facial steam and gently scraping off the blackheads. Let the mixture rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with normal water.
7. Use As Perfume
The distinctly rejuvenating fragrance of lemon oil can be used as a natural perfume to deodorize nasty body odor and make you feel fresh. As lemon essential oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic in nature, it eliminates germs from your body and absorbs excess sweat and oil to offer a fresh, clean scent. Add ¬Ω teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt, 7 to 8 drops of lemon essential oil and 1 teaspoon of witch hazel to a cup of water and your perfume is ready to use.
8. Remove Scars
The efficiency of lemon essential oil for acne isn’t just limited to its healing but it can also fade away acne scars and blemishes from your skin. Not only it is effective in treating skin infections but also ensures that no marks are left on your skin. Regular use of the diluted oil will lead to a gradual removal of stretch marks and other scars without the use of any chemical product.
9. Reduce Dead Skin
Lemon oil for the face can also be used for naturally exfoliating your skin to make it appear soft, smooth and youthful. The accumulation of dead skin cells can be prevented by using a blend of lemon essential oil, sweet almond oil and roughly ground brown sugar. Scrub your face with this mixture 3 to 4 times a week and feel the difference.
Also Read : How to Remove Dead Skin- 10 Simple Remedies to Try Out for
Cleaning Benefits
1. Reduce Stickers Glue
One of the many benefits of lemon essential oil uses includes its effectiveness in removing grease, oil and glue. It is often difficult to get rid of sticky label residues from products, utensils and apparels. Using lemon oil will help to scrub off the glue easily without the use of chemicals.
2. Remove Odour From Stainless Steel
The citric acid present in lemon essential oil is said to remove any foul stench or heavy cooking odour from your stainless-steel utensils and appliances without leaving residues of chemical cleaning products. Washing your dishes with a blend of castile soap, white vinegar and lemon oil will leave behind a clean and fresh scent that won’t irritate your senses.
3. Clean Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are often a place where bacteria and germs breed. Hence, it is crucial to properly clean and sterilize them to protect your family members from various diseases and infections. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to a tablespoon of white vinegar and use it to scrub your chopping boards naturally.
4. Help To Reduce Stains From Clothes
Removing stains and grease marks from your clothes can be a tiresome task, particularly from your white or neutral shaded apparels. Lemon oil contains bleaching properties that will help to reduce stains and eventually make it disappear from your clothes without damaging the material. Furthermore, it will offer a refreshing smell to your laundry and disinfect them as well.
5. Insect Repellent
The scent of lemon oil is repulsive to ants, mosquitoes and bugs as lemon is known to possess properties of an insecticide. You can place cotton balls soaked in lemon oil in your closets or mix the oil with water to form a solution and spray it in places where insects may come. Rubbing diluted lemon essential oil on your body will keep insects away and as it is completely natural, it is safe to be used on children as well.
Also Read : 15 Best Natural Insect Repellents and Its Benefits
Precautions For Using Lemon Essential Oil
- Although lemon oil is all-natural, it is recommended to perform a patch test to check if your skin is sensitive or allergic to the oil. If you notice redness or itchiness, do not apply the oil on your skin.
- As essential oils are extremely concentrated in nature, always dilute the oil with carrier oils or water before use. Typically topical use of essential oils uses a 1% essential oil in a base of suitable carrier oil or water or other suitable media. Also, use a small portion of the oil as per directed.
- Do not expose your skin to sunlight after applying lemon essential oil as it is phototoxic and can lead to sunburn and uneven skin pigmentation.
- The lemon oil should not be used on pregnant women, infants or patients suffering from chronic disorders without medical advice.
- Make sure the oil doesn't’t make any direct contact with your eyes, ears, nose or mucous membranes.
- Do not ingest lemon essential oil since it is highly concentrated oil.
- Overusing lemon essential oil or any other essential oils should be completely avoided as it can have negative impacts.
- The oil can be toxic to pets, birds and fishes. Keep essential oils away from children as well.
Disclaimer: All the content on anveya.com/blogs is solely for information. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health care provider. The information, suggestion or remedies mentioned on this site are provided without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied.
