When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Oil!

Feeling nauseous? Got a super itchy bug bite? Feeling lethargic? Did you know that lemon essential oil can help with all these various issues? After making a tasty batch of lemonade, what do most people do with lemon peels? They throw them away, when it’s the peel that contains all the great nutrients. The plant that bears this delicious fruit, from the Rutaceae plant family, is a small evergreen tree with glossy leaves, highly fragrant white flowers and yellow fruit. After cold pressing the peel and steam distillation, we have this amazing oil with numerous healing and therapeutic qualities.

So let’s get into the nitty gritty, shall we? A shorter list would be what DOESN’T this oil do.

It’s great for normal/balanced, oily, and blemished skin. Massaging it on the abdomen or a few drops in a glass of water can help with digestive problems and detoxifying. It assists with sore throats, bronchial conditions, and laryngitis while also acting as an oral health booster.  Inhaling it from the bottom or a few drops in the diffuser can change your entire mood, thus alleviating conditions like depression, nervous tension, inability to concentrate or focus, physical exhaustion, and fatigue.

Lemon essential oil is anti-infectious, anti-microbial, and antiseptic, making it a great oil to have in your wellness arsenal. However, even with all of its gifts, it’s very important to note that it should NOT be applied to skin before sun exposure. It can cause irritation on highly sensitive skin, so please be careful when applying.  It’s a great oil to add to carrier oils like jojoba or coconut. Want to spruce up your laundry after it’s been sitting? Add a few drops to the load. Throw a few drops in some water and put the concoction in a spray bottle for an instant deodorizer for your home, work, or car. Add a few more drops for a household cleaner that also leaves a pleasant smell.

The possibilities are literally endless, so make sure you get your hands on this very essential oil ASAP!