 Shared with permission from ThinkCrucial.com When it comes to essential oils, everyone knows how to put them in a diffuser to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. But did you know that there are other ways that you can use your essential oil that will provide a tangible benefit to you and your loved ones? The positive properties of essential oils come from the oil’s natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by hundreds of different cultures. They have been used not just for aromatherapy, but also personal care, cleaning, and even for their natural healing properties. One thing to keep in mind when you use essential oils is that you should not use undiluted essential oils on your bare skin. There are some who disagree with this, saying that pure essential oil on the skin can be used for various things. However, because everyone’s tolerance and sensitivity to the compounds found in essential oil can vary widely, if you’ve never applied essential oils to your skin, dilute them. When you dilute an essential oil, you use a carrier oil. Carrier oils are neutral and stable, so they will not evaporate or add unwanted properties to an essential oil. These include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or even shea butter. There is no real standard for dilution as every person has a different sensitivity to essential oils. In general, start with one drop of essential oil to ever teaspoon of carrier oil. This will give you a roughly 1% solution strength. From there, you can increase the amount of essential oil as need be to suit your tolerance and needs. Cleaning With Essential Oils.
Personal Healthcare.
As you can see, essential oils have more uses than just percolating in your diffuser for aromatherapy. Experiment with your favorite oils to find out more things you can do to help improve your life.
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 Originally shared by Dr. Eric Zielinski While we speak frequently about the historical use of many essential oils including lemon essential oil uses, the history of lemon itself is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. We have seen lemons in Ayurvedic medicine for as much as a century, and lemons appear again in Josephus' writings, describing a high priest's fruitful encounter with an angry crowd in 90 B.C. – who preceded to pelt him with lemons for his errant ways! And dulling tastes of happy Citron fruit, Than which, no helpe more present can be had, If any time stepmothers worse than brute have poyson'd pots, and mingled herbs of sute With hurtfull charmes: this Citron fruit doth chase Blacke venome from the body in every place. ~ Virgil 70 BC – 19 BC Despite the quote from the storied author above, the history of Citrus limon is quite silent. The lemon itself is native to Asia, grown from a small, evergreen tree. Multiple cultures claim the lemon as their own, from Burma and China to northeast India. Botanists from the University of California have their own twist, believing that the lemon is actually a hybrid fruit, combining sour orange and citron, rather than standing alone as a historical species. (1) d-Limonene and the Benefits of Lemon Essential OilThe key to it's healing power, lemon rinds (where the essential oil is extracted from) are one of the richest sources of d-limonene, which is the most common cancer-fighting terpenes in nature. (source) Additionally, we know that d-limonene can help:
Some of the richest sources of d-limonene are: (source, p 580)
Potential PhototoxicityIn addition to d-limonene, other commonly shared chemicals in the citrus family are furocoumarins like bergapten, notable for their phototoxic effects. When bergapten is left on the skin, then exposed to the sun, it amplifies the effect of the sun and can leave burns. Some people like to avoid using bergapten-heavy oils topically altogether, but simply avoiding the sun after use (such as using it at night before bed) is sufficient. Alternatively, steam-distilled citrus oils have lower concentrations of bergapten and mitigate this effect. Great care should be taken when using citrus oils, including lemon essential oil uses, during summer months and with your children, but you don't have to avoid them all together. Many aromatherapists agree that heavily diluting citrus oils minimizes the risk. For example, the Essential Oil Safety text and Aromahead Institute teach that phototoxic oils can be used if diluted as follows:
13 Key Ayurvedic UsesTraditional use has carried us where historical origins fail, and we have plenty of record of lemon's benefits in Ayurvedic medicine, followed in recent decades by scientific confirmation. Ayurvedic food and medicinal preparations use lemon and lemon essential oil heavily, giving us an excellent basis for discovery and use. Assistant professor of Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Dr. J.V. Hebbar, relays the 13 key benefits of lemon and lemon essential oil in the Ayurvedic model: (2)
Other notable effects include the regulation of cholesterol deposits in the circulatory system, which can help to reduce risk factors for heart disease. Current ResearchHundreds of studies have referred to the benefits of lemon essential oil, and exploring the dozens of traditional uses. Its most prominent component, limonene, is likely the key to its potency, found in many citrus oils. Its cancer-fighting antioxidant power is impressive, as well. With such a strong foundational composition, it's not surprising that the science is catching up to 1,000-year-tradition at breakneck speed. Alzheimer's and Dementia Dementia occurs when brain nerve cells become damaged. Being that this affect several areas of the brain, people experience dementia quite differently. There are various types of dementias, and they are often categorized by the part of the brain damaged and whether the condition worsens. Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in seniors over 65 years old is, has been researched extensively and essential oils can be of great help. For instance, the effects of aromatherapy were evaluated on elderly people suffering from dementia, with the majority being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. They were given rosemary and lemon inhalations in the morning, then lavender and orange in the evening. Through multiple tests and forms of analysis, the “patients showed significant improvement in personal orientation” without any deleterious side effects. (3) Nausea and Vomiting An interesting study came out the spring of 2014, highlighting the benefits that lemon essential oil has for pregnant women dealing with nausea and vomiting. This was actually the first study of its kind and they discovered some promising results. Basing their research findings on the personal report 100 women provided to the researchers, they learned that the majority were significantly more satisfied with aromatherapy (i.e. simply smelling lemon essential oil out of the bottle) than with the drugs that they were given or the placebo. (4) Antioxidant Another component of lemon that researchers have recently validated is geraniol. To evaluate the antioxidant ability to reverse damage from inflammation and oxidative stress, scientists in India gave geraniol to rats with diabetic neuropathy. Over the course of the 8-week study, markers of sciatic nerve damage and mitochondrial enzymes were both restored significantly. As a bonus, they also observed restored dopamine levels, the neurotransmitter that is associated with healthy functions like movement and unhealthy functions like addiction. (5) Although this was an animal study and not necessarily indicative of mirrored results in humans, the potential beneficial effects of regular lemon essential oil use are promising, especially with our current influx of mitochondrial disease and the effects of stress on the heart and aging. And, as concluded, “From our data, we hypothesize that [geraniol] may be a promising therapeutic candidate in the management of [diabetic neuropathy] in humans!” Food Safety Food safety is another major benefit of lemon essential oil use. A USDA study utilized lemon in a study regarding E. coli and Salmonella. It successfully protected apple juice against the dangerous bacterial strains, confirming its antimicrobial use. (6) Canine Dermatitis After just a couple of examples, it already seems like lemon is a super-oil. And for good reason – it really is! Not only for us, but for our four-legged friends, as well. In 2014, Italian scientists documented the benefits of bitter orange, lavender, oregano, marjoram, peppermint, and helichrysum in a sweet almond/coconut oil carrier on dogs with dermatitis. A common denominator and major active compound? Limonene. Twice daily applications for one month were comparable to conventional treatments, with no side effects and benefits lasting for six months. (7) Impressive, to say the least! I would love to see the study replicated with lemon included or replacing some of the oils, since lemon contains the highest limonene amounts of all citrus oils. (8) Fun & Effective Lemon Essential Oil UsesWe've already walked through quite a range of uses for lemon essential oil, so there's no surprise at the long list of practical applications. These are just a sampling, and some of my favorite ways to use lemon outside of medicinal benefits. 1. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Freshen Clothes: We've all forgotten to switch laundry to the dryer at least once. Just add a few drops of lemon EO in a rinse to prevent that awful odor. 2. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Remove Gum and Sap: Playtime around trees can quickly become a mess. Remove pine gum or tree sap from clothes and carpet with an essential oil application. 3. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Wash Greasy Hands: Soap just doesn't always cut it after doing mechanic work. But with a couple of drops of lemon essential oil added to your soap, the grime should wash right off! 4. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Disinfect (Without the Toxins!): Alcohol and bleach are harsh, especially when little hands and lungs are around. Instead, add 40 drops lemon oil to 8 oz pure distilled water and 8 oz witch hazel or white vinegar to clean the moldy shower and germy countertops. 5. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Safe Leather Treatment: A dab of lemon oil on a cloth will restore leather furniture, shoes, and clothing to their original luxe. 6. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Polish Silver: Try the same effect on tarnished silverware and jewelry to bring back the shine. 7. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Goo-Be-Gone: Sticker books are a parent's nemesis when the stickers find their home on windows and furniture. Remove stickers, gum, and other gooey remnants with the help of lemon essential oil! The best therapeutic grade lemon essential oil comes in the Premium Starter Kit from the world's leader in essential oils. Get yours HERE!
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