16 Uses and Benefits of Lemon Oil Beyond Furniture Polish
Who doesn’t love the refreshing and clean scent of lemon? You may use lemon scented cleaning products, and you may even enjoy the taste of lemon. But did you know that lemon oil has many health and beauty benefits?
Here is are two videos on the many uses and benefits of lemon oil:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8LM7h0D1vE0
The health benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, carminative, anti-infection, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant, sleep inducing, and antifungal properties. The benefits of lemon oil include its ability to treat stress disorders, fever, infections, asthma, obesity, insomnia, skin disorders, hair conditions, stomach problems and tiredness.
Lemons are one of the most popular citrus fruits in the world, and are widely used for culinary purposes, since they are a good source of vitamins and aid in digestion. It also adds a pleasant taste and aroma to food. Furthermore, lemon juice is one of the most popular drinks in the world as it is very healthy, delicious, and inexpensive.
- Immune system: Lemon oil has a high vitamin content, which makes it a wonderful booster for the body’s immune system. It further stimulates white blood cells, thus increasing your ability to fight off diseases. Lemon oil also improves circulation throughout the body.
- Asthma: It is believed that lemons are also useful for treating asthma, since inhaling the aroma of lemons can clear the nasal passages and sinuses, promoting good air flow and steady breathing.
- Insomnia: Health benefits of lemon oil include providing relief from sleeplessness. Using lemon oil ensures good sleep and helps people that suffer from insomnia.
- Stomach ailments: Since lemon oil is carminative, it is used in the treatment of various stomach problems, including indigestion, acidity, upset stomach, and cramps.
- Fever: Lemon oil is effective against infectious diseases such as fever, malaria and typhoid.
- Alzheimer’s disease: Lemon essential oil may be of some benefit to people with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published in Psychogeriatrics in 2009. For the study, 28 older adults (including 17 people with Alzheimer’s disease) used aromatherapy (including use of lemon, rosemary, lavender, and orange essential oils) for 28 days. Study results showed that aromatherapy led to a significant improvement in certain measures of cognitive function, especially among the Alzheimer’s patients.
- Antiseptic benefits: Lemon oil deploys antiseptic effects on fresh minor infections of the skin, including acne. Applications can be made with a small compress of lemon and lavender oil diluted in a bowl of water. Simply absorb the surface mixture with a facecloth and hold in place on the wound for up to 10 minutes, suggests Colorado LMT, Carri Reichert. Dilution prevents the stinging pain of straight application to an open wound, making it more tolerable; the combination with lavender oil provides soothing effects. Avoid going into the sun immediately after using lemon oil on the skin, though, as burning and itching may occur.
According to aromatherapist, Clare Maxwell Hudson, lemon oil can be used effectively as an antiseptic to treat skin irritation caused by head lice, by adding 8 to 10 drops of oil to 10 ml of jojoba, massaging it into the scalp, leaving it in overnight, and thoroughly rinsing upon waking.
- Astringent benefits: When the skin becomes oily, lemon oil provides a natural tonifier, balancing and rejuvenating the skin when used properly. Simply diluting a natural carrier oil such as jojoba or soy with 1 percent lemon oil provides the necessary components to assure proper absorption and penetration to the skin.
Blending juniper and rosemary to lemon oil with a carrier oil as the base, creates a beneficial combination formula to combat cellulite. Special massage techniques to stimulate lymphatic flow and assist toxin removal stored in the cells, minimize the overall appearance and inflammation of cellulite.
This oil can also help lighten dark spots or acne scars on skin. Try adding a drop of lemon oil in carrier oil and using it to improve dull skin.
- Anti-viral benefits: Compounds called polyphenols are found in lemon oil and provide an impressive anti-viral property. When used in a balm, lemon oil can effectively treat cold sores. Christiane Northrup, M.D., advises applying lemon oil in balm form to the lip when an individual feels a cold sore coming on. Applying the balm several times a day will deteriorate all signs of appearance, and normally heal completely within 6 days.
- Soothing action: Dry weather conditions can play havoc on skin especially to pronounced rough patches around the elbows, feet, or even on the hands. When mixed with a few drops of glycerin, and applied to these areas before bed, you’ll wake up refreshed and with smooth, soothed, healthier skin, according to New York City skin care specialist, Lia Schorr. Lemon oil is rich in vitamin C, a necessary component to healthy skin care and wellness.
In addition to its medicinal properties, lemon oil is nourishing for skin and hair alike. Lemon oil is not only good for oily skin, but it can also smooth and rejuvenate any cracked or dry areas. For oil prone skin, mix 10-15 drops lemon oil with two ounces of jojoba cream to keep your skin clear. Tired of the hard calluses, corns, and/or bunions making your feet hard, crusty, and sore? Try rubbing a few drops of lemon oil on to the bottoms of your feet every night and before you know it, you’ll have soft, moisturized skin!
- Anti-infection: Lemon oil has a fresh, clean scent that activates the body and the mind. The oil has many different properties, one of the most important being its ability to activate the white corpuscles that defend the body against any infection. For colds and fatigue, use five to seven drops of lemon oil in your vaporizer to clear your lungs and energize your mind.
This oil is photosensitizing – avoid sun exposure if applied directly to skin.
Oil Prone Skin: Mix 10-15 drops lemon oil with two ounces of jojoba cream to clear skin blemishes.
The bright yellow color of a lemon isn’t the only thing that can bring cheer. Lemon oil is refreshing and its citrus fragrance can uplift a mood. Combining lemon oil with other essential oils appears to have an effect on the neurotransmitters in the brain that play a role in anxiety. In Japan, a study has shown that lemon essential oil has anti-stress effects. It works by modulating both the Serotonin and Dopamine neurotransmitters.
Japan data-entry operator errors were cut in half after piping lemon scent through the ventilation system. Calming and less stress equals less errors.
Try diffusing in the morning or use in a car diffuser on the way to work. Mist a room with a mixture of water and lemon oil and the fragrance will brighten the room.
Many men and women struggle with oily hair, which can be alleviated with the help of lemon oil. Add four drops to wet hands and apply to freshly washed hair before rinsing. Not only does lemon oil reduce your need to shampoo frequently, which can cause further damage to your hair, but it also leaves your locks with a nice shine!
Essential oils can help in reducing weight by working on the part of the brain that deals with satiety, as well as in the breakdown and release of unwanted fat and toxins from the body.
Certain essential oils can also help fight the sugar cravings. Bear in mind that these still need to be used in conjunction with keeping to a healthy diet and some form of exercise. Don’t expect great results if your diet consists of junk food.
The satiety mechanism
Satiety or the sense of fullness is regulated by a part of the hypothalamus in the brain. Our nose and olfactory nerve (our sense of smell) is also connected to the hypothalamus. As we know, essential oils liberate odor molecules. These make their way to the top of the nasal cavity, making their way through the mucous membrane and eventually binding to the receptor sites on the olfactory nerve. From here, individual odour molecules are taken by the limbic lobe in the brain and intensified in a way that the brain can respond to these stimuli. Interestingly enough, the limbic part of the brain is also known to be the emotional centre of the brain. This limbic lobe communicates its information to the hypothalamus, which controls the ability to feel full. This explains why an emotional state can also trigger our desire for food.
How to use lemon oil in weight loss:
Diffuse or inhale twice a day. Add 1-2 drops to a diffuser necklace. To take internally, put a couple drops in an empty vegetable capsule and fill the capsule with avocado oil or coconut oil – adding the extra avocado or coconut oil helps with absorption.
More tips for using lemon oil for weight loss
The lemon oil has a detoxifying effect on body, and it helps increase physical energy levels as well as address intestinal parasites & a wide range of digestive ailments. In addition, this oil can help your body get rid of toxins that are otherwise stored into fat cells. Like grapefruit oil, this oil also contains d-limonene & a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C. Using lemon essential oil can balance your metabolism, help the body in carrying less toxins, and control appetite for weight loss. Here are some proper ways to use lemon essential oil for weight loss you should try to follow:
- Inhalation
- Add some drops of the lemon essential oil to a cotton ball
- Then, breathe in the vapors slowly before you have a meal to reduce appetite and avoid overeating.
- Daily Massage
- Add some drops of the lemon essential oil into a carrier oil you like
- Then, massage the affected area where cellulite or fat accumulates.
- This can help the body eliminate toxins & waste materials that are stored in fat cells.
- Internally
- Add one or two drops of the lemon essential oil into your morning water in order to help the body kick start the digestion as well as eliminate more toxins.
- Make sure to purchase the quality essential oils for your internal use.
Here is a video on lemon oil and burning fat:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FT66W9LPyRY
Lemon Balm essential oil is used more often in Europe for stress and anxiety than it has been in the U.S., but its use as a medicinal herb dates back to at least the Middle Ages. In a study conducted by Berkem, a plant extract company based in France, it was reported that there was a 72% reduction in anxiety-related symptoms after using lemon balm for 15 days. Other studies report similar results. As an added benefit, lemon balm oil has been shown to have antiseptic qualities. To use, mix with vegetable oil and rub into your hands, then breathe in the aroma.
You probably have floor or furniture polish that smells like lemon. However, you don’t have to buy lemon scented cleaning products — you can use lemon oil to make your own.
Laundry – In case you leave your laundry sitting in the washer too long, just add a few drop of lemon essential oil and your clothes won’t get that nasty smell.
Clean Hands – Got greasy hands from working on your car or bike and regular soap isn’t doing the trick? No worries, just add a couple drops of lemon EO with your soap and get your clean hands back!
Natural Disinfectant – Want to steer away from alcohol and bleach to disinfect your countertops and clean your moldy shower? Add 40 drops lemon oil and 20 drops tea tree oil to a 16-oz spray bottle fill with pure water (and a little bit of white vinegar) for a traditional cleaning favorite.
Wood and Silver Polish – A lemon oil-soaked cloth will also help spruce up your tarnished silver and jewelry! Lemon oil for wood cleaning is also great.
Goo-Be-Gone – Un-stick the sticky goo your kids leave behind with stickers and gum with lemon oil.
Whether you want a cleaner house or a healthier life with less anxiety, lemon oil can help!
Here is a video on making lemon oil infusion:
Here is a video that discusses more about lemon essential oil: