Lemon essential oil comes from the Citrus limon fruit of the lemon tree. This evergreen tree is grown around the world, but its exact origins are unknown.
The essential oil of lemon is easily extracted from the fruit peel by cold-pressing. It has a fresh and light citrus scent that is slightly sweet, like highly perfumed flowers.
Use of Lemon Essential Oil for the Body
Lemon essential oil is a very popular ingredient in skin and hair care products due to its antiseptic qualities. It acts as an astringent, helping to tighten the skin and has a rejuvenating effect, making the skin appear younger and with more luster. Its antiseptic properties can also be used to treat various skin conditions.
In hair care products, the essential oil of lemon is used for its ability to reduce dandruff. It can also give the hair a nice shine, and boost its health.
In the digestive system, lemon essential oil is used for its carminative capabilities. It can help with digestive issues such as acidity and indigestion and can also soothe an upset stomach.
Use of Lemon Essential Oil for the Mind
Lemon essential oil has refreshing, clarifying, and calming effects on the mind.
It is good for dispersing confusion, sharpening the focus of consciousness, and stimulating and clearing the mind.
People who need help with decision making might benefit from the use of essential oil of lemon.
Lemon Essential Oil Relieves Insomnia And Stress Caused By:
- Mental fatigue and strain
- The feeling of being overburdened with decisions and obstacles
People who are afraid of emotional involvement can also find it useful. So can those in danger of losing themselves in another person.
Lemon in Ancient History
Many citrus plants have been grown in China and India for centuries. Lemon particularly has a more mysterious past. The plant most likely originated in India. It was probably as result of hybridization between a type of orange and another citrus fruit.
Lemon reached European shores early in the Current Era via Italy. The ancient Romans used it more for medicine than for culinary uses. From there, lemons spread to Persia and Egypt.
Lemon in Modern History
There wasn’t large-scale cultivation efforts of lemon in Europe until the fifteenth century. Around that time, lemon was also introduced to the Americas, when Christopher Columbus carried lemon seeds with him when he went there. In 1747, lemon was a part of the very first clinical nutrition experiment trying to find a remedy for scurvy.
By the nineteenth century, lemon had been much studied for its possible medicinal uses. So much so, that the physicians of the time had different uses for different parts of a lemon, including lemon essential oil.
In the second volume of their 1857 book The Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, pharmacists Frederick Kilmer and Jonathan Pereira had this to say about it:
“Oil or essence of lemons possesses the stimulant properties of the milder volatile oils, and is denominated carminative and diaphoretic. In full doses it is said to be apt to occasion headache and giddiniess. Its principal use is for communicating an agreeable odour and flavour to other medicines. It make be taken as a carminative, in the dose of a few drops, on sugar.“
Lemon Essential Oil Cautions
Lemon essential oil suffers from the same phototoxicity as many other citrus essential oils. After using, it would be best to avoid exposure to sunlight and other sources of UV light. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid using lemon essential oil.
