Known for its fresh, citrusy aroma and purifying properties, lemon oil is derived from cold pressing lemon peels. Lemon trees (botanical name: citrus x limon) are grown throughout the world but are native to Asia. The use of lemon oil has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians, and Aryuvedic medicine has incorporated lemon oil for thousands of years.
Lemon oil is used in many different ways but is most often found in natural cleaning products. This article describes the various benefits and uses of lemon oil, as well as some places you can purchase it. Before using lemon oil, be sure to read the precautions at the end of the article.
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Lemon Essential Oil Benefits and Uses
Some of the benefits of using lemon oil are listed below, along with information on how to use lemon oil to achieve this specific benefit.
1. Relieve Nausea and Morning Sickness
Lemon oil is proven to relieve nausea, especially nausea and vomiting arising from morning sickness. In a 2014 study, 100 pregnant women experiencing nausea and vomiting were divided into two groups. One group was given a placebo and one group inhaled lemon oil whenever they began feeling nauseous. The conclusion? Lemon oil effectively reduced nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
How To: Simply inhale directly from the bottle, use a diffuser, or mix 1 to 2 drops of lemon oil with ½ teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to your temples, chest, and neck. You can also try using the lemon/coconut oil mixture to relieve coughs.
2. Relieve Constipation
Combining lemon oil with other essential oils and performing a massage can relieve constipation. In a 2005 study, elderly patients experiencing constipation received an abdominal massage using a combination of rosemary, lemon, and peppermint oils. Results showed that the group receiving the massage had a greater number of bowel movements than the control group, and the benefits lasted as long as two weeks.
How To: Using coconut oil as your carrier oil, put a few drops of lemon, rosemary, and peppermint oils into the coconut oil and mix thoroughly. Gently massage the oil mixture onto the abdomen. If you have leftover oil, use it in a warm bath to further promote relaxation and constipation relief.
3. Skin Care
With its antimicrobial properties, lemon oil is often used to help with skin conditions ranging from acne to greasy and oily skin. However, lemon oil can cause photosensitivity so do not expose yourself to sunlight or tanning beds within 12 hours of using it. If you choose to incorporate lemon oil into your skincare routine, use it at night and make sure to thoroughly rinse any areas with water before going out in the sun or tanning.
Recipe for lemon oil face wash: Combine 1 to 2 drops of lemon oil with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a ½ teaspoon of raw honey. Smooth the mixture over your skin, massage gently and then rinse thoroughly.
Recipe for lemon oil exfoliating sugar scrub: Mix ½ cup of white sugar with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add 1 to 2 drops of lemon oil. Massage the mixture into your skin to exfoliate and then rinse thoroughly.
4. Refresh Your Laundry
Don’t you hate when you forget to take your clothes out of the washer and they get a musty smell from sitting too long? Don’t feel like you have to rewash the clothes! Use lemon oil instead.
How To: Add a few drops of lemon oil to wool dryer balls and dry your clothes normally. The lemon oil will refresh the laundry and remove all traces of mustiness.
5. Remove Sticky Residue
If you need to get rid of sticky residue left behind by stickers or gum, lemon oil will help remove it easily. It can also help to remove sticky substances from hair.
How To: Simply put a few drops of lemon oil on a cloth and rub the stickiness away.
6. Disinfect Your House
Lemon oil is a powerhouse when it comes to cleaning and can be used to clean your shower, toilet, bathroom surface and kitchen surfaces.
How To: Fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with water (distilled water works best) and add in 40 drops of lemon oil, 20 drops of tea tree oil, and some white vinegar. Shake well before using.
7. Clean Your Wood Furniture
Want to give your wood furniture a glowing shine and fresh lemony scent? Make your own wood polish using lemon oil and keep your furniture looking its best. Before using any homemade cleaner, test it on a non-noticeable part of your furniture to ensure that it reacts well with your wood and stain.
How To: Combine ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of olive oil, and 10 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix and then spray onto your furniture and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.
8. Clean and Preserve Leather Furniture
Not only will lemon oil prolong the life of your leather furniture, it will also leave behind a clean and refreshing scent and prevent cracking.
How To: Dampen a clean cloth with 10 to 15 drops of lemon oil and massage onto leather surfaces.
9. Clean Silver, Stainless Steel and Brass
Lemon oil is fantastic for polishing silver, stainless steel, and brass—making it a great tool for preserving valuables and keeping your stainless steel appliances looking clean and bright.
How to: Use a clean cloth dampened with lemon oil to remove tarnish or clean appliances.
Precautions When Using Lemon Oil
When using lemon oil, be sure to follow these usage and safety guidelines.
- Don’t apply lemon oil directly on your skin. Instead, first dilute them with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil). You should also do a patch test to ensure that you don’t have an allergic reaction.
- Lemon oil can cause photosensitivity so avoid direct sunlight or using a tanning bed after using a lemon oil mixture on your skin.
- When diffusing essential oils, limit exposure to 15 to 20 minutes.
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
- Keep essential oils away from children.
- A recent fad recommends mixing drops of lemon oil with water to boost weight loss or relieve allergy symptoms. However, experts do not recommend ingesting essential oils. Instead, slice up some lemons and use them in your water or tea.
Where to Buy Lemon Oil
Many companies produce and sell essential oils. Several of the largest are multi-level marketing (MLM) organizations (such as Young Living and DoTerra) that are considered somewhat controversial. Here are a few of the non-MLM companies (listed in alphabetical order) where you can purchase lemon oil.
- Eden’s Garden: Offering 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils without bases, fillers, or additives, Eden’s Garden offers an unconditional guarantee and sources products from organic growers and distillers as much as possible. Certificates of analysis, specifications, and MSDS are available upon request. You can enroll in the Aroma Notes rewards program to earn points that can be redeemed toward purchases.
- Mountain Rose Herbs offers high-quality products and leads the industry in environmental stewardship and commitment to organic agriculture. The company also adheres to strict principles and protocols that ensure fair treatment and compensation for their workers and suppliers and farmers.
- Plant Therapy: This family-owned company prides itself on offering high-quality products as well as excellent customer service and fast, free shipping.
- Rocky Mountain Oils: Founded in 2004 by a group of wellness enthusiasts, Rocky Mountain Oils is a leading non-MLM purveyor of 100% pure, natural and authentic oils and related products. They also offer a satisfaction guarantee.
Conclusion
Derived from cold pressing lemon peels, lemon oil has numerous household uses—from cleaning your home to refreshing your skin to relieving nausea and constipation. Used properly, lemon oil can be a valuable addition to your essential oils toolkit. However, it is important to know that lemon oil causes photosensitivity so you must avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds after using it on your skin. How have you used lemon oil in your home? Tell us about it in the comments.
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