Essential Oil of Lemon
Botanical Name:
Citrus Limon
Family - Rutacaea - rue family
Origin - Asia. The lemon tree is cultivated in so many places today, such as all around the Mediterranian and the USA as well, mostly Florida and California in the US.
Description - Trees that grow up to about 17 feet high, unless you have a dwarf tree like we did when we lived in Florida. Then, they're only about 5-7 feet high, depending on their age. The tree blossoms year round in the hotter climates and needs full sun. It also produces fruit more than once a year. The branches have thorns which we didn't realize till we had our tree, very similar to a rose bush and the thorns are very sharp. It's a beautiful tree, with white blossoms and dark green leaves.
The oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the lemon fruit. There have also been lemon oils, that are steam-distilled, but the smell is not half as nice and if you can find a reputable seller, the cold-pressed is the way to go.
This oil is antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, antiseptic and a disinfectant. It removes the grease from dishes and pots and pans just by putting a few drops in your soapy water. Grease just dissolves and your kitchen smells great. We've been using it for years. Another thing we use lemon oil for and this is going to sound strange and I'm not a Dr., so take this as you may, is whenever we have a cold - complete with a cold sore, we take a cotton swab and gently swab the sore with lemon oil, undiluted. A day or two of that and not only does it not hurt, which is great, but the sore is always gone. Lemon oil is something that we "always" have in the house and buy in bulk.
Physical Uses:
germicide
fever reducing
astringent
acid neutralizing (it's been used for heartburn, with success)
stimulates the bodys immune system
air freshener (though the lemon scented air fresheners you find in the store, are in general, synthetic, which is a shame, as this is not an expensive oil)
Skin
antiseptic
detoxifying
good in sports massage oils
Hair
great for shiny hair, add some to your final rinse, a couple drops will do it,
or - add some to your conditioner, but try to get an unscented conditioner.
Kitchen
dishes - add right to the dishwater
also, people do use lemon oil in cooking, for desserts; especially cakes, ice creams, cookies and of course, lemonaide.
mn - 2007
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Comments: 17
I buy mine online as I usually get a 16 ounce bottle for my Aunt and a Kilo at least for here. You "could" check around in an herbal shop or even a natural foods store, and look for either Aura Cacia or Frontier brand, as I'm a member of frontier's coop and know that they test their oils. Online, www.av-at.com - Butch Owen, ships out of Maryland if you'd like a larger quantity, tests all his oils, and will even send you a copy of the test @ no charge, and will also if you email him and ask, give you the password to his wholesale site, he's good about that. No tax Id is needed from him.
I always have it in the house and even the soap we make, I also make it in lemon as it's very refreshing and also good for you.
Ellen - The sources I buy from? Or where I learned the things I'm posting? If it's where I purchase different things, on a separate article in Aromatherapy, Herbs and More, I have my sources listed and what is where. I don't have lots of sources as I tend to find reputable sources and just stick to a few - also saves on shipping.
Magi - You have SO many great essential oils in Oz, I've ordered many from there and there's certain ones that I really love - you ought to have no problem finding a lot of great oils there. :)
Kathleen McDade - Lemon and Tea tree? There is also a Lemon Tea Tree Oil, from Australia, where Magi is - but the shampoo bar that you're using has some great properties.
Acid reducing and Fever - People tend to think of lemons and also think that they'll get an upset stomach from them - but the opposite is true in the essential oil. The fever reducing properties as well, are in the oil. Instead of lemon oil upsetting your stomach as lots of the artificial lemon substitutes can and will, the essential oil itself is an alkaline reaction in the body, which helps to neutralize heartburn - making it great for stomach upsets.
Fevers - use a couple drops in water in for sponging down the person w/the fever, and lemon oil can also kill virus's/germs, etc's that will make others sick. Oops, this comment is going on way too long. I can do a follow-up to this article if anyone wants one? :)
Grapefruit works pretty well for me too, or oranges.
I enjoyed this article...