19 Amazing Things to do with Lemon Essential Oil

The Alternative Daily

10 years ago

Ah, lemons. The scent alone can perk us right up and make us feel instantly refreshed. We know that lemons are insanely healthy; they’re known for their vitamin C punch, their antioxidants and their antibacterial properties.

Lemon essential oil, made by cold-pressing lemon rinds, is a great way to get many of the benefits of lemon, as it basically concentrates its goodness into one tiny, portable bottle. Unlike lemons, it does not go bad, and it can do in a pinch if you find that your home is without any whole lemons.

Due to its concentrated nature, lemon in essential oil form has a host of versatile uses. The following are just 19 of the hundreds out there.

Boost your spirits

A little bit of aromatherapy with lemon essential oil, either circulating some through the room in a diffuser, or applying it to pressure points, can go along way as far as giving you a mood boost.

Enhance your focus

Speaking of aromatherapy, did you know that the scent of lemon is associated with providing a boost of cognitive clarity, so that you can zero in on the task at hand? Try a dab on your temples next time you’re in a bind at the office.

Speed digestion

If you ate something a bit too heavy, or your digestion is just working too slowly, try gently massaging some lemon essential oil, blended with some organic coconut oil, onto your tummy.

Ease congestion

Rubbing lemon essential oil on your throat may help when you feel stuffed up. You can also add a couple drops to a cup of herbal tea.

Soothe a sore throat

Along with drinking a couple drops in your herbal tea throughout the day, you can add a drop of lemon essential oil to a warm saltwater gargle.

Freshen your breath

If your breath is less than fresh, add a few drops of lemon essential oil to a glass of warm water and gargle. You can also freshen your toothbrush with this oil: a drop or so on a weekly basis will both keep bad breath at bay, and keep pathogens off your brush.

Exfoliate your skin

To make a great exfoliating scrub, combine oatmeal, raw honey and a bit of water to make a paste. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil, mix, and rub on your face in a gentle circular motion. Wait about five minutes, then rinse and wash your face with a gentle organic soap.

Degrease oily hair

Adding a drop of lemon essential oil to a handful of your regular, organic shampoo can help cut the grease and leave your hair feeling livelier. For very long or thick hair, use 2 drops.

Add some natural highlights

If there’s still ample sunshine where you live, and you’re seeking some natural blonde highlights, turn to lemon essential oil. Apply to your hair in streaks or strands, then go out in the sun for a few minutes – your hair will lighten.

Help heal bug bites

Dabbing a bit of lemon essential oil onto bug bites and bee stings can help to prevent infection, and may heal the bite faster.

Banish nail fungus

Applying undiluted lemon essential oil to fingernail or toenail fungus throughout the day can help to clear it up.

Kick cold sores to the curb

Use a cotton swab to dab lemon essential oil on a cold sore up to three times per day. This promotes healing, and can quickly make that scaly patch disappear.

Clean the kitchen

In an empty spray bottle (preferably glass), combine 1 part water with 1 part white vinegar. Add about 6 or 7 drops of lemon essential oil, and shake. This multipurpose spray is great for cleaning counters, tables, chairs, your fridge and your sink. Simple and chemical-free.

Disinfect your cutting board

Place a few drops of lemon essential oil on a damp sponge, and use to scrub your cutting board. Make sure you get into all of the grooves. Then, wash as usual.

Make your shower shine

A bit of lemon essential oil on a scrubbing pad can make it easier to get rid of that pesky hard water buildup.

Get grease stains out of laundry

Apply a drop or two of lemon essential oil to a grease stain before washing to help remove it. Similarly, this oil can also help to remove stickers and gum.

Deodorize your home

For a great deodorizing spray, add about 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a spray bottle of water, and spritz around less-than-fresh areas of your home. Adding this oil to a diffuser can also get that fresh, clean scent circulating.

Keep fruit from browning

If you don’t want to cut a fresh lemon every time you cut any other kind of fruit, keep a spray bottle with water and about 10 – 15 drops of lemon essential oil on hand, and spritz fruit after you cut it. Don’t forget the avocados (they are fruits, too)!

Amplify your recipes

Many recipes that ask for lemons – soups, stews, salad dressings – taste great with lemon essential oil as well (but don’t skip the fresh lemons too often!). Just make sure to only use a drop or two – it is very potent.

Just remember: always purchase a high-quality, food grade essential oil from a source you trust. Lemon essential oil should not be given internally to children under six. When in doubt, consult a health professional you trust.

One more thing: lemon oil can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Wait about 72 hours before exposing skin which has received direct application of lemon essential oil to the sun – or just cover the area before you step outside.