Lemon Essential Oil Profile and Uses

Profile of Lemon Oil

It takes over 3,000 lemons to make 1 kilo of lemon essential oil, a single lemon tree produces around 200-270kg of fruit per year. The fruits don’t only make essential oil, they have been used as food and medicine since around 700 A.D. The fruits contain a high level of vitamin C as much as 50mg per 100g, due to this the lemon was revered by sailors as a cure for scurvy – a disease caused by lack of vitamin C. British naval ships carried enough lemons on board to allow for each sailor to have 30ml of lemon juice per day.

Constituents – Lemon oil has a high concentration of monoterpene components such limonene which makes up around 70% of its volatile oils, it also contains linalool, sabinene and terpinene which all have antiseptic and antibacterial actions, their stimulating action is what helps lemon oil lift the spirits. The high levels of monoterpenes that lemon oil contains are also the reason that it needs to be used up within 6 months of opening the oil, because monoterpenes oxidise once they are exposed to the air.

Lemon oil also contains terpenic aldehydes like citral which has antimicrobial properties and is sometimes used to synthesis vitamin A for supplements, and citronellol, which has insect repelling properties. The terpene alcohol geraniol can also be found in lemon oil and is currently being researched for its use as a plant-based mosquito repellent. Other monoterpenes found in lemon oil include myrcene which has an analgesic action and is also anti-inflammatory, and pinene, which is used in the perfume industry as an oxidiser to help perfumes break down and release their notes over time.

Methods of Extraction – The best lemon oil is extracted using the cold expression method, only the outer parts of the fruits are used in the extraction process.

Properties – Lemon oil has anaphrodisiac, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiperiodic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, insecticidal, refrigerant, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge properties.

Safety Advice – Non-toxic, although this oil may cause dermal irritation and sensitisation in certain people. Lemon oil can also cause photo-toxicity avoid exposure to sunlight after application.

Using Lemon Oil

Lemon Oil can be added to pot pourri and scented sachets to deter flying insects; the oil can also be added to lotions, creams facial scrubs, soaps, face masks, foot powders and bath salts for the skin, and shampoos for the hair. Put a few drops of lemon oil into the washing water for floors and surfaces where an antiseptic property is required; it can also be used as a fragrant rinse for the hair.

Massage – In aromatherapy lemon oil is used in blends to stimulate the tissues and get the circulation moving, adding a few drops of cypress oil to lemon oil can be beneficial to massages for lymphatic drainage. To make a relaxing but stimulating blend mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the same of chamomile  and lavender and use to massage the neck and shoulders.

Upper Respiratory Infection – Lemon oil can either be added to a hot water to make a steam inhalation or you can simply drop the oils on to a tissue and breathe in the vapours to help clear nasal congestion. For a steam inhalation partner lemon oil with same amount of peppermint or cinnamon oils, all these oils are antibacterial and can help fight upper respiratory tract infections. You can make a bottle of congestion relief drops for dropping on tissues by mixing together 3 drops of eucalyptus, 4 drops lemon, 4 drops cedarwood, and 3 drops of  lavender essential oils and 15 drops of fractionated coconut oil.  To use add a few drops to a tissue and breathe in the vapours to help clear nasal congestion. The blend can also be added to a vapouriser to help fight cold and flu bugs in the air.

Skin Tonic – The astringency of lemon oil makes a good facial cleanser and toner for greasy skin types. To make a toner with a zing, place 30ml of witch hazel water or orange flower water into a dark glass bottle and add 4 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 drops of melaleuca essential oils,  and 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Place the lid on the bottle and shake to combine, add to a cotton ball and use to cleanse and tone the skin at night. The tea tree and lavender oils make it a useful toner for acne prone skin.

Room Freshener – With its antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties lemon oil makes an idea scent to fragrance rooms of those suffering from colds and flu. It’s also a stimulating fragrance that can help to awaken and refresh the senses. Add the following combination of oils to a room spray or burn in a vapouriser to freshen a room. Into 50ml of distilled water, (or perfumer’s alcohol/vodka if you want the spray to last longer) add 2 drops of each of the following oils: – leomon, bergamot, lavender, and peppermint.  Spray into the air to fragrance and freshen the room.

Lemon Essential Oil Profile and Uses