LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL USES: 12 WAYS TO LEVERAGE LIQUID SUNSHINE

IN ESSENCE…

• Lemon Essential Oil is the fresh and sweet citrus essence obtained from the peel of fruit from the Citrus limon tree.
• Used in aromatherapy, Lemon Essential Oil is known to be a wonderful mood enhancer, perking up the spirit and stirring feelings of energy and exuberance.
• Lemon Essential Oil is so well loved for its mood enhancing effects that it is has been dubbed “liquid sunshine”.
• In perfumery, Lemon Essential Oil is a bright and cheery top note that often conveys the first impression of a spirited citrus fragrance.
• Lemon Essential Oil benefits include cleansing and purifying properties for aromatherapy applications and natural cosmetics, as well as a brightening influence on the skin and hair.

A RE-CAP OF LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS

Cold-pressed from the fruit peel, Lemon Essential Oil is known for its bright and uplifting influence when used in aromatherapy. Widely dubbed “liquid sunshine”, Lemon Oil’s clean and vibrant aroma is adored for its ability to promote a positive outlook and boost feelings of energy. A top note in perfumery, Lemon’s cheerful scent blends beautifully with other citrus and floral essences for a freshly fragrant first impression of a sparkling blend. Cleansing, purifying, and astringent properties make it a valuable ingredient in aromatherapy massages, natural cosmetics, and fragrant bath blends, as well as in household cleaning products and air fresheners. When used in some cosmetic applications, Lemon Oil is further reputed to enhance the look of the skin and hair with a brightening influence for a fresh and rejuvenated appearance.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL USES IN MASSAGE

Used in an aromatherapy massage, the cleansing and refreshing properties of Lemon Oil are known to support the body’s natural detoxification processes and promote easier breathing while clearing the mind, lifting mood, and promoting feelings of energy, revitalization, and rejuvenation.

You can make a simple massage oil by diluting 4-6 drops of Lemon Oil in 2 teaspoons of a preferred carrier oil. Rub this quick and easy blend into feet, muscles, or any preferred area of the body for an aromatically energizing experience. For a couple simple blending guidelines, Lemon Oil is known to combine particularly well with other citrus oils such as Bergamot, Lime, Grapefruit, Orange, Mandarin, Clementine, and Tangerine, and with floral oils such as Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, and Ylang-Ylang.

When recovering from a cold or flu and dealing with lingering feelings of fatigue, try giving yourself a gentle massage with a blend composed of 4 drops each of Lemon and Ravensara essential oils, and 2 drops of Helichrysum oil. Dilute this blend in 1 tablespoon (20 ml) of a preferred carrier oil and smooth over the body to boost your mood and kickstart a sense of re-invigoration.

For a blend to support healthy circulation and natural detoxification, and to improve the appearance of cellulite, try mixing 4 drops each of Lemon, Rosemary, Geranium, and Juniper essential oils with a carrier oil base composed of 2 tablespoons of Sweet Almond oil and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of Wheat Germ oil. Alternatively, you can use a blend composed of 2 drops of Lemon oil, 4 drops of Cypress oil, and 3 drops each of Grapefruit and Juniper oils diluted in 30 ml of Sweet Almond oil. Massage either of these blends into affected areas for firmer looking skin with a radiantly youthful energy.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL USES IN COSMETICS

Incorporated in natural cosmetics, Lemon Essential Oil adds a gently cleansing and astringent touch to underscore the skin and hair’s natural radiance and impart a feeling of all-over freshness. It makes a great addition to facial cleansers and toners to help balance oil production, tighten, brighten, and refresh the skin. It is also an excellent addition to hair care formulations to fortify the hair, improve the appearance of dandruff, and promote a brighter appearance with a lustrous shine. Adding a few drops of Lemon Oil to your usual facial cleanser or toner, or to your regular shampoo or conditioner is the easiest way to leverage its benefits.

We have also included a few simple recipes to try for some Lemon based beauty blends:

To make a facial serum that can help diminish the appearance of acne, blend 4 drops each of Lemon, Tea Tree, and Geranium essential oils with 1 tablespoon of a mild carrier oil such as Jojoba or Meadowfoam. Apply to the skin twice daily after cleansing.

For a simple cleansing hair rinse, dilute 4-6 drops of Lemon Oil in 1 teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and water. After washing, pour the rinse over wet hair and gently massage into the scalp to help balance oil production and promote healthy looking roots. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse hair with warm water.

You can make a hair mist to accentuate natural highlights by blending several drops of Lemon Essential with some lemon juice and diluting the blend in pure water. If desired, you can dissolve some Chamomile Botanical Extract in the blend as well. For best results, sit out in the sun after spraying the hair. Just be careful to avoid spraying this blend near the scalp, as citrus oils may cause photo-sensitivities and exposure to sunlight has the potential to be irritating.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL USES IN DIFFUSIONS AND MIST SPRAYS

Freshly sweet, clean, and bright, the scintillating scent of Lemon Oil makes a lusciously lovely diffusion. It is a great way to spread a happy attitude throughout a space, to boost mental energy and concentration, and to address feelings of fatigue or irritability. Either diffused, vaporized, or added to a homemade candle, Lemon Oil is a cleansing and uplifting essence on its own. For essential oils blends that you can diffuse to enhance the properties of Lemon Oil, try the following:

Cheerful Citrus Blend

4 drops Lemon Essential Oil
2 drops Lime Essential Oil
2 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
2 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Fruity Floral Blend

4 drops Lemon Essential Oil
2 drops Geranium Essential Oil
2 drops Tagetes Essential Oil
2 drops Neroli Essential Oil

Diffuse the suggested aromatherapy blends for up to 15 minutes at a time.

For a mist spray to help manage stressful feelings, try combining 45 drops of Lemon Essential Oil with 40 drops of Dill, 35 drops of Palmarosa, and 30 drops of Ylang-Ylang in 120 ml (4 oz) of spring water. Shake before each use and spritz throughout a space to balance stress-induced negative moods and promote brighter feelings instead.

You can also make a nifty natural household cleaning solution by diluting several drops each of Lemon Essential Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oil in equal parts water and vinegar. This purifying mist spray can be spritzed on countertops and metal surfaces, windows, wooden furniture, and shower walls to help combat unwanted pathogens and promote a shinily clean appearance.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL USES IN A BATH

What better way to soak up some liquid sunshine than by soaking in a fragrant bath? A little bit of Lemon Oil goes a long way toward light-hearted luxury at home. Simply diluting a few drops in a couple teaspoons of a gentle carrier oil and adding the blend under running water is enough to brighten up your tub time. You can add some preferred citrus or floral essences (we recommend Rose or Ylang-Ylang) for a more nuanced blend; you can also add half a cup of bath salts and 1 cup of baking soda for a fun fizzy feeling, or just combine with your favorite foam bath if you’re in a particularly bubbly mood.

For the craftily inclined, we have included a couple recipes for homemade bath bombs and soaps to highlight a lively Lemon charisma:

For a soothing and enlivening bath bomb to caress the body with calming care while boosting the mood with a sunny energy, combine ½ cup of powdered Chamomile Botanical Extract with 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of citric acid powder, 1 cup of Arrowroot Powder, and half a cup of bath salts. In a separate bowl or jar, combine 2 tablespoons of a botanical butter or carrier oil and 20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil. If desired, you can add some color to the mix. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and blend together until a smooth consistency is achieved. Pour the mixture into a mold and once stable, place on a tray to dry for 24-48 hours. Once dried, bath bombs can be stored in an airtight glass container.

To lighten up with some lemony lather, try creating your own soap at home with one of our many Melt and Pour Soap Bases. All you need to do is melt the base down, mix in some preferred essential oils and let the mixture cool to resolidify. We recommend a bright and cheery blend of 10 drops of Lemon and 5 drops each of Bergamot and Mandarin essential oils. We also recommend adding our Lemon Yellow Nature Tint for an equally bright and cheery color. If desired, you can add some powdered botanical essences for enhanced texture.

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, Lemon Essential Oil is intended for external use only. Due to the highly concentrated nature of this oil, it must be diluted with a carrier oil prior to topical use. It is recommended to seek the guidance of a medical practitioner before using Lemon Essential Oil if pregnant, nursing or on medication, for those who have recently undergone surgery, or for those with a pre-existing health condition of any kind.

Potential adverse reactions from use of Lemon Essential Oil include headaches or nausea from inhalation, and skin irritation or allergic reaction from topical use. To minimize the risk of such reactions, it is recommended to perform a skin patch test prior to topical use and not to exceed recommended concentrations for aromatherapeutic use. If using this oil in diffusions or inhalations, make use of intermittent exposure that lasts not more than fifteen minutes at a time. If using topically, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure after application, as Lemon Essential Oil may sensitize the skin to UV rays.

To perform a skin test, mix 1 drop of Lemon Essential Oil with 4 drops of carrier oil and apply a dime-sized amount of the blend to a small area of skin that is not known to be sensitive. In the event of an adverse reaction, discontinue use of the product and see a medical healthcare professional for appropriate remedial action.

Lemon Essential Oil must not be used near the eyes, inner nose, ears or on any areas of the skin that are known to be sensitive. This oil should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, particularly those under the age of 7.