Lovely Lemon Essential Oil Offers Lots of Benefits
Lemons as well as lemon essential oil is refreshing and uplifting. It's great in diffuser blends, cleaning, products, and is found in Be Hydrate Leave in Conditioner. The essential oil and blends with lemon are also available at Be Kekoa Apothecary.
But beyond smelling amazing what are some of the benefits of lemon essential oil? Lemon or Citrus limon like other citrus oils is rich in the aromatic compound limonene but also contains a fair amount of β-pinene, and γ-terpinene. These components help give lemon essential oil some of its incredible benefits.
As you may have seen in earlier posts about citrus or limonene rich essential oils, researchers have discovered that limonene offers analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.(1-3) It also activates white blood cells, supports the liver, and acts as a skin penetration enhancer. (4-6)
β-pinene also offers anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties in addition to anti-spasmodic or muscles soothing qualities and anti-fungal properties.(7-10)
γ-terpinene contributes anti-spasmodic properties and anti-viral properties to the mix. (11,12)
So it makes sense that lemon is useful in blends intended to fight germs, support the immune system, purify the air, and soothe aches. Some like using the oil in massage blend or blends for sore joints. People also reach for lemon to support circulation. I've also had great success using this oil to remove sticky residue on clothes or surfaces (it smells WAY better than goo removal concoctions!)
Energetically lemon is bright, positive, and happy. It can be useful at boosting a low mood or brightening a space.
Using lemon essential oil safely:
Sine the oil is pressed from the peel it's wise to choose an oil you know for sure is from certified organic or organically grown lemons to avoid pesticide residue. Lemon essential oil is phototoxic and should be used at dilutions of 12 or fewer drops per ounce. Lemon essential oil is prone to oxidation so it is wise to use at low dilutions (1-2%) in topical applications to avoid sensitivity. If you have questions about using lemon essential oil contact Tricia or stop by the Be Kekoa Apothecary in Old Town Temecula.
Immune Support Recipe Using Lemon Essential Oil:
Now that many kids are back to school it's a good idea to support the immune system and fight germs to keep our kids and ourselves feeling our best. Using a lotion or a hand cleaner with lemon essential oil not only smells great and boosts mood, it can support health and wellness.
Ingredients:
1 oz unscented cream or lotion or carrier oil
3 drops lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil
3 drops ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora)*, peppermint (Menta x piperita) OR Eucalyptus radiata* essential oil
3 drops of lavender (Lavendula angustafolia)
1 oz jar or bottle if using carrier oil
Add essential oils to cream or oil and mix well. Apply to hands and body to uplift and protect. It smells great and gently supports wellness.
To learn more about essential oils or aromatherapy be sure to look for upcoming classes, visit the website, contact Tricia, or stop by Be Kekoa Apothecary in Old Town Temecula.
Aromatic blessings,
Tricia
Do Amaral JF, Silva MI, Neto MR et al (2007) Antinociceptive effect of the monoterpene R-(+)-limonene in mice. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 30:1217-1220
Hirota R, Roger NN, Nakamura H, Song HS, Sawamura M, Suganuma N (2010) Anti-inflammatory effects of limonene from yuzu (Citrus junosTanaka) essential oil on eosinophils. Journal of Food Science 75:87-92.
Nannapaneni R, Chalova VI, Crandall PG et al (2009) Campylobacter and Arcobacter species sensitivity to commercial orange oil fractions. International Journal of Food Microbiology 129:43-49
Del Toro-Arreola S, Flores-Torales E, Torres-Lozano (2005) Effect of d-limonene on immune response in BALB/c mice with lymphoma. International Immunopharmacology 5:829-838
Bodake H, Panicker K, Kailaje V, Rao V (2002) Chemopreventative effect of orange oil on the development of hepatic preneoplastic lesions induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine in rats: an ultrastructural study. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 40:245-251.
Almirall M, et al (1996) Effect of d-limonene, α-pinene and cineole on the in vitro transdermal human skin penetration of chlorpromazine and haloperidol. Arzneimittel-Forschung 46:676-680
Liapi C, Anifandis G, Chinou I, Kourounakis AP et al (2008) Antinociceptive properties of 1,8-cineole and beta-pinene, from the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves, in rodents. Planta Medica 74(7):789.
Da Silva AC, Lopes PM, de Azevedo MM, Costa DC, Alviano CS, Alviano DS (2012) Biological activities of a-pinene and ß-pinene enantiomers. Molecules 2012 17:6305–16. [PubMed]
Sadraei H, Asghari GR, Hajhashemi V et al (2001) Spasmolytic activity of essential oil and various extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on ileum contractions. Phytomedicine 8:370-37
Riyazi A, Hensel A, Bauer K et al (2007) The effect of the volatile oil from ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale), its fractions and isolated compounds on the 5-HT3 receptor complex and the serotoninergic system of the rat ileum. Planta Medica 73:355-362
Astudillo A, Hong E, Bye et al (2004) Antispasmodic activity of extracts and compounds of Acalypha phleoides Cav. Phytotherapy Research 18:102-106
Astani A, Reichling J, Schnitzler P (2010) Comparative study on the antiviral activity of selected monoterpenes derived from essential oils. Phytotherapy Research 24:673-67
