This essential oil powerhouse is cold-pressed from lemon rinds to preserve its delicate nature and potent properties. Lemon is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffusing lemon in a room can cleanse the air and uplift mood. It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaning booster. For aromatic, topical or dietary use. (*1)
Common wellness uses: (*2)
- Calm and Stress
- Cold and Flu Season
- Disinfect Living Areas
- Insect Repellant
Common health uses:
- Allergy
- Asthma
- Cold and Flu
- Constipation
- Cough and Congestion
- Fever
- Hypertension
- Sore Throat
- Stomach Ache
- Stress
- Throat Infections
Key properties:
Antibacterial, antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, astringent, diuretic, and disinfectant
History of use:
Lemon trees were first cultivated in China, then in southern Europe, and finally made their way to the Americas as early as the arrival of Columbus in the 1400’s. The fruit has long been associated with freshness and cleanliness and now its aroma is advertised by mane products with terms like “lemon scented” to entice buyers. Many essential oils are produced by distillation but lemon and other citrus oils come from cold pressing the peel under great pressure. This eliminates the use of any hear and thereby preserves the delicacy of the natural essence. Italy is one of the best sources for the lemon essential oil
Typical application:
Traditionally, lemon oil has many uses. It is a powerful antiseptic and can be an effective means to improve circulation. It is considered to be an excellent antibacterial agent. This makes it well suited for respiratory infection or inflammation. Historically, adding a few drops of lemon to warm water with a sweetener has provided relief for many suffering from coughs or sore throats.
Modern research and clinical studies:
Clinical studies at Weber State University, found lemon oil to be highly antimicrobial. Researchers found it effective against 99.9% of common airborne bacterial pathogens.
Primary constituents:
Lemon is lower than other citrus oils in the monoterpene limonene at only 65%. Lemon oil includes about 12% aldehydes with citral being most prevalent.
Other uses: (*3)
Add 2-4 drops to clean water in sink or bowl, place fruits or vegetables in water and clean all surfaces before eating.
Add to drinking water for great flavor.
Apply to warts 1-2 times daily until wart disappears.
Apply consistently to corns and calluses for relief.
Add 4-6 drops to a spray bottle filled with distilled water. Shake often as you spray the room to neutralize odors and bacteria.
Use lemon oil to clean and disinfect countertops and cutting boards.
Remove adhesive or gum from surfaces by dripping 1-2 drops of lemon oil and gently wiping with a clean cloth.
Place 1-2 drops on the fingers and massage into the hair to soften and remove gum.
Apply directly to cold sores.
Apply a drop 1-4 times daily to a canker sore to help neutralize and repair it.
Use on bathroom and kitchen fixtures to clean and shine.
Clean and shine woodwork with 4-6 drops of Lemon oil on a clean dry cloth
Massage gently over varicose veins and spider veins for relief and repair.
Massage on swelling joints to encourage lymph flow.
Strengthen and harden nails by mixing 1 drop Lemon with 1 drop vegetable oil and massaging on nails and cuticles.
Apply a drop on the outside of a sore throat.
Apply a drop of Lemon oil to a teaspoon of honey and eat for sore throat relief.
Drip onto abscesses to combat infection and alleviate discomfort.
(*4)
Shoes can be freshened by either dropping a few drops of Geranium essential oil directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes.
Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Purify are nice. Geranium helps with pet odors.
When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.
Lemon stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.
For burns or scalds, drop Lemon or Melaleuca oil directly on the effected area.
Green AND safe cleaning with Lemon essential oil (*1)
Lemon essential oil (Citrus limon) is a natural cleanser and has many household uses and health benefits. dōTERRA’s lemon essential oil is the highest quality available on the market–it is cold pressed from the rinds of lemons grown in Italy. Italian lemons are much larger and sweeter than domestic lemons, and higher in limonene as well.
Lemon essential oil boosts the effectiveness of cleaning with natural products and leaves a fresh, clean scent around your home. Why switch from off-the shelf products with ingredients like bleach and ammonia? Because those cleaners can irritate your eyes, airways, skin, and nervous system, and they also pollute and contaminate your indoor air and the streams they wash into.
Lemon essential oil will give you all the deep cleaning power you want, plus it is ALL-NATURAL, SAFE, AFFORDABLE, and leaves an UPLIFTING aroma in your home. Below are some recipes to deodorize, disinfect, degrease, polish, and brighten your home with lemon essential oil.
Furniture Polish:
- Add 4-5 drops lemon essential oil to a small amount of olive oil. (Olive oil is a natural oil that helps to nourish and polish wood.
- Mix, apply lightly to furniture, and buff for a nice shine.
Basic Household Disinfectant:
- Fill a spray bottle with water and a squirt of plant-based liquid soap
- Add 5-10 drops each of lemon, lavender, and white fir essential oils
- Shake well and apply to all surfaces
Floor Cleaner:
- Pour 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar to a bucket of water (1 gallon)
- Add 10-20 drops lemon essential oil
- Add 3 drops oregano essential oil
Mold & Mildew Spray
- Pour 2 cups distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle
- Add 2 drops lemon essential oil and 2 drops melaleuca essential oil
- Shake well and spray on infected area
Window Cleaner
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 10-15 drops lemon essential oil
- water
- Mix well in a spray bottle, apply to windows, and wipe
References:
- Doterra.com
- Essential Oils-Essential of the earth by R.L. James ISBN 9781934711026
- 216 Ways to use essential oils Compiled by Tamalu Watkins. Available through aromatools.com
- sharedoterra.com
Why I love Lemon oil…
1. Currently I am doing a candida cleanse (5 drops each of lemon, oregano, and melaleuca)
(what is candida? here is a good article on it, click here)
If you are familiar with Candida and have heard of the insanely strict diet that people go on to deal with it and then if you know me and my inability to handle such a strict diet. This cleanse with the oils is perfect for me! By the way just a fun little fact..80% of people have candida/yeast overgrowth! It is responsible for more than you would think.
2. Now that my son is of age (all of four AND a half 
) to help with household duties I hate having him using the harsh and dangerous chemicals to clean with. With the lemon oil I can make him his own cleaning kit (which I plan to use as well once all the other crap I spent way to much money on is gone) If you want the recipes for these cleaning “products” just let me know!
Our most popular kit just got BETTER! The Family Physician™ Kit is our newest collection of essential oils and includes all the essential oils you loved in the Dr. Mom Kit PLUS dōTERRA’s exclusive Omani Frankincense!
