Lemon (citrus limon) Oil

It cleans, it freshens, it lifts the mood

Lemon oil is sometimes referred to as "Liquid Sunshine", and for good reason. It is versatile, with a well-established history for its use. It's an aromatic powerhouse, useful for everything from disinfecting surfaces to lifting the mood.

About lemon oil:

Originating in China, lemon quickly spread throughout all the ancient world. It was established in the New World in the 1400s, arriving with Columbus. Today, Italy is still one of the best sources for lemon oil.

The fruit has long been associated with freshness and cleanliness; and now, many products are advertised as "lemon scented" to entice buyers.

Today, lemon — and citrus oils, in general — are widely accepted, and FDA has approved it for ingestion.

Lemon oil, as with most citrus oil, is not steam distilled, as are most other essential oils; instead, it is cold pressed, to preserve its delicate natural essence. Under extreme pressure, the rind reluctantly gives up the liquid sunshine, in its untainted, wholesome form.

Like all pure essential oils, lemon has a complete chemical profile, just as it did in nature. Among its chemical constiuents, one of the most impressive is limonene. Limonene has been extensively researched for its protective influence to cells. (All citrus oils contain limonene, as a major component of their chemical structure.)

Lemon oil offers many possibilities for health improvement, due to its defensive attributes, which can easily be distributed throughout the body, even to its very core — your cells!

Key properties of lemon oil

Primary constituents of lemon:

• Monoterpene (limonene 65%)
• Aldehydes 12% (primarily citral)

Some of the therapeutic properties of lemongrass include: anti-bacterial, anti-biotic, antiseptic, anti-viral, astringent, diuretic and disinfectant.

Common uses for lemon oil

One of the easiest ways to receive lemon oil's remarkable properties, is throuth diffusion or direct inhalation. It can also be applied to the bottom of the feet, or added to a glass of water, as a purifier and for a quick energizing boost.

Traditionally, lemon oil has many uses.

• It is a powerful antiseptic, and is cleansing to the environment (home or office),
• It has antiseptic-like properties, and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune functions.
• It may serve as an insect repellent,
• It can be an effective means to improve circulation.
• It is a considered to be an excellent antibacterial agent.
• It may be helpful for respiratory infections or inflammation, and,
• Its pleasant, sweet aroma can be uplifting, to lighten any mood.

Historically, adding a few drops of lemon oil to warm water, with a little sweetener, has been used to provide relief from coughs or sore throats. Lemon oil has also been known to be strengthening to fingernails. Simply rub the oil directly on location.

Note: Citrus oils should not be applied to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light within 72 hours.

Other uses for lemon oil

1. Mix 6 drops of lemon oil and 6 drops of the Purify oil blend in a spray bottle, along with distilled water, shake well to disperse the oils and spray into the air, to help freshen the air in the bathroom.
2. To remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon, rub with 1-2 drops of lemon oil.
3. Use 1 drop of lemon oil to add flavor to baked goods or beverages.
4. For homemade lemonade, mix 2 drops of lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of honey and two cups of pure water in a blender. Adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your own taste.
5. For corns, callouses or bunions, rub on a drop of lemon oil, mornings and evenings.
6. To clean and increase the shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of lemon oil. Drop your cleaned fruit into the water and stir. Be sure all surfaces of the fruit contact the lemon water. If you have an apple, and only want to eat half of it at that time, you can also put a drop of lemon oil on the part you want to save. It will prevent oxidation (browning) of the fruit, and adds a really nice flavor to the apple.
7. To sterilize cutting boards, counter tops, cupboards and table tops, add 2-3 drops of lemon oil to water and spray them. Or, you could just add the oil to a pan of water, soak a cloth in it for wiping down surfaces.
8. To disinfect your dishcloth and kill germs, soak it overnight in a bowl of water with a drop of lemon oil.
9. Add a drop of lemon oil to your dishwasher before the wash cycle.
10. Rub a drop of lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom.
11. Use a paper towel, soaked with several drops of lemon oil, to sanitize bathroom fixtures.
12. Place a drop of lemon oil on cold sores, herpes or other mouth ulcers, to lessen pain and aid healing. (What also works wonders for this is melissa oil.)
13. Put a drop of lemon oil on gums that are bleeding becaus of gingivitis or tooth extraction.
14. Put a drop of lemon oil on oily skin or acne, to balance sebaceous glands (oil glands). It offers other benefits for the skin, and can be added to lotions or creames to improve skin tone and texture.
15. Rub several drops of lemon oil on cellulite, to improve circulation and help eliminate waste from the cells.
16. Rub two drops of lemon oil topically onto the feet, to clear athlete's foot.
17. Rub several drops of lemon oil on varicose veins, to improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins.
18. Rub a drop of lemon oil on a wart, morning and night, until it disappears.
19. Rub a drop of lemon oil to clean a butcher's block or other cutting surfaces.
20. Put 10-15 drops of lemon oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution, to help pull out stains and brighten the rug. This also leaves a fresh smell in the room. Mixing several drops of lemon oil into baking soda, and sprinkling it over the carpet before vacuuming is also very effective. (It works for your dog, too; although I don't recommend the vacuuming part. A brush works just fine.)

dōTERRA^® Employee Product Tip:

I do a lot of camping and backpacking. Nearly every weekend, I look for different campsites up canyons in the mountains. I typically hike 8-10 miles or more, with all my gear; my pack often weighs upwards of 40 lbs. I really enjoy it, but it can be really tiring. Sometimes, I take one of the citrus oils (usually lemon or Citrus Bliss™) and put a couple drops on the straps of my backpack. It's a great way to keep energized, forget about the weight of the pack and enjoy beauty of the hike.

— James Porter, Customer Service

I am an avid mountain biker and am constantly trying to keep my flexible backpack water flask and drinking tube free of mold and other yucky residue for my next ride. I tried adding three or so drops of dōTERRA's lemon essential oil to my water before a recent ride and, not only did it add a refreshing lemon twist, my flask smelled lemon fresh the next time I rode.

— Debbie, mountain biker, triathlete, mother of five and satisfied dōTERRA^® customer.