Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon Essential Oil: citrus energy and freshness.

Latin Name: Citrus Limon

Plant part used: Fruit Peel

Origin: Italy

Extraction Method: Cold Expression

Lemon essential oil has a strong, fresh scent and is extracted from fresh lemon fruit peel through cold expression. This oil refreshes the mind and sharpens concentration, so it is often preferred in air fresheners for offices and banks. It is believed to help with rheumatism, arthritis, and gout. It has been used to treat skin problems such as abscesses, boils, carbuncles, and acne. It boosts the immune system and cleanses the body.

When used in an oil burner (a few drops in water), lemon oil vapors are used for colds, laryngitis, headaches, and the flu. Smelling the aroma is useful for mental conditions such as depression, irritability, stress, lethargy, and fatigue. It lifts spirits and clears the mind. When a few drops are added to the bath or mixed with a massage oil, it is said to relieve digestive problems, lack of energy, tiredness, infections, obesity, rheumatism, depression, and stress. It is also used to help relieve hangovers.

The lemon plant is native to India and perhaps China, and was brought to Europe by the Crusaders in the Middle Ages. Since the fruit contains a good amount of vitamins A, B, and C, sailors were given one ounce a day to prevent scurvy, eye problems, and other vitamin deficiencies. The first real lemon cultivation in Europe began in Genoa in the mid-15th century. Later, it was introduced to America by Christopher Columbus. The Spanish conquests helped spread lemon seeds further. Lemons were used mainly as decoration and as medicine. It was only much later that they began to be used in cooking.