(Citrus limonum) Traditionally used to support healthy breathing and immune response, to ease stress and nerve pain and to promote mental clarity.
According to Jean Valnet, MD, the vaporized essence of lemon can kill Meningococcus in 15 minutes, Typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours, and Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) within three hours. Even a 0.2% solution of lemon oil can kill diphtheria in 20 minutes and inactivate tuberculosis. (Essential Oil Desk Reference, 4th Edition, p. 72.) Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D wrote in The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils (p. 133) that 1-3 drops in water induces detoxification and cleansing. In Medical Aromatherapy, Schnaubelt writes: "Lemon oil has strong anti-infectious and anti-viral activity. It can be used as a component of blends aimed at liver regeneration and detoxification. Recently a range of influences of limonene on receptor-mediated processes has been documented, showing it to be preventative and curative for breast cancer in rats. Classic aromatherapy texts attribute fluidifying action on blood to lemon oil. Strengthens capillaries by diminishing their permeability." Robert Tisserand wrote in Essential Oil Safety (p. 332 and p. 128) that "Lemon oil significantly induced glutathione S-transferase" which means it is likely to be hepatoprotective. Tisserand also notes in his Complete Skin Care series that research found that vitamin absorption by the skin was higher in the presence of 10% Lemon essential oil. He notes that Lemon is safe to use at up to 1.25% (would not be phototoxic at this level), and he feels it would still be helpful at the reduced percent. Antioxidative Action of Citrus limonum Essential Oil on Skin European Journal of Medicinal Plants, ISSN: 2231-0894 ,Vol.: 3, Issue.: 1 (January-March) Conclusion: The scavenging action of lemon essential oil could have a practical application for treating human skin against oxidative damage. A 1995 Mie University study found that citrus fragrances boosted immunity, induced relaxation, and reduced depression. LEMON essential oil is an immune stimulant. It increases white blood cells, improves microcirculation and is antiseptic. Lemon essential oil consists of 68 percent d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon has an approximate ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) of 6,619 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter. D-limonene has been extensively studied for its ability to combat tumor growth in over 50 clinical studies. The Effect of Lemon Inhalation Aromatherapy on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy: Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler Internal: Lemon essential oil is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French aromatherapy" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application. Schnaubelt notes that both internal and topical use should be short-term only. Click here for information about internal usage. Flavoring: When used as a flavoring, we figure 8 drops of Lemon essential oil substitutes for 1 fresh lemon in a recipe.
1. I used Lemon essential on my dog's skin tag. It was the size of the head of a q-tip and now it's the size of the end of a toothpick. I applied it directly to the skin tag morning and evening for 3 weeks now. Because it would sometimes bleed, the vet said it might need to be surgically removed. But since the oil is helping to get rid of it, that will save me a vet bill. - Leah 2. We use Lemon EO in food all the time! It is FANTASTIC added to pasta/sauce after the cooking is finished and the heat is turned off. Great in Guacamole! Just a few drops make an intense lemony flavor. So good! - Christy 3. I put a drop of Lemon in a glass of water and swish it like a mouthwash for a mouth sore. This normally heals any issue overnight. I also dab on acne. - Alisha 4. I just discovered that I could clean caked-on mineral deposits with Lemon. I mean, caked on to the point of being rock-like. EOs are so exciting! - Rachelle 5. I had a bad outdoor allergy attack yesterday, and I dropped a few drops of Lemon under my tongue, and I'm not suffering today! I'm even baling hay !!!!!!!:) - Donna 6. I added 2-3 drops of Lemon essential oil to a baby washcloth and threw it in the dryer with my cloth diapers yesterday. Smells sooo fresh! - Kristi 7. Inhaling Lemon throughout my first few months of pregnancy made a huge difference in nausea/vomiting. - Linda 8. Yesterday morning I woke up with a very hoarse throat. I downed about 32oz of water with a couple of drops of Lemon EO added to it, and my voice was in great shape to sing during the morning service, praise be to God! 9. Your Lemon oil was beneficial in removing my two-year-old's permanent marker creation form my white window sill. Thank you for your products! - Christine 10. Whenever we have any swelling in our home, one of the first things we try is Lemon EO mixed with either Olive oil or coconut oil and massaged into the area several times a day (just be sure not to expose that area to sunlight, because it will burn). It always seems to work for us... - Christy 11. I have a young woman, whom I have unofficially " adopted”! She works as a security officer at an airport and is required to wear a mask at all times while on duty. Wearing a mask full time has caused her to have severe headaches that were not resolving for hours after work was finished and after the mask was long gone. I prayed for her and felt prompted to give her some of your good Lemon oil to put on her mask and see what happened. She called me a few days later and said I was a hero at her work! She put a drop on the inside of the mask. Her co-workers are now using her Lemon oil! Her headaches are gone and her co-workers are saying that it has totally changed the way the masks affect them, making wearing the masks so much more bearable. They are all pleased! Thanks for making me a “hero”!!!!!! Debbie
12. Lemon in my water daily has completely eliminated my fibromyalgia symptoms. - Susan 13. We put Lemon in a roll-on applicator and apply it under the ear for ear infections and ear congestion. It really helps! - Ginger
Safety Lemon oil is very photosensitizing, so avoid applying it to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or UV light unless appropriately diluted at no more than 2%. Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Flushing with water will only send the essential oil back to the eye's membranes. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil." We’ve not known this to cause permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.
References Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2002, pages 221-223. Butje, Andrea, The Heart of Aromatherapy: An Easy-to-Use Guide for Essential Oils, Hay House Inc., 2017, pages 74-75. Erin R Reed, “Environmental Fragrancing Technology Makes Dollars & Scents,” The AromaChology Review, September 1993, 6. Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, page 24. Schnaubelt, Kurt, The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils, 2111, page 133. Schnaubelt, Kurt, Medical Aromatherapy, 1999, page186. Tisserand, Robert, The Complete Skin Care Series, 2014. Wildwood, Chrissie, Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, Bloomsbury Publishing, 1996, page 271. Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood, and Emotion, 2012, page 58. Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, 2016, 589-599.
