Lemon (Citrus Limon) Essential Oil
Safety First
Lemon essential oil is safe but should be used at a maximum blend concentration of 2% if applied directly to the skin. Higher concentrations could irritate the skin or have a phototoxic effect. Absolutely Natural only uses organically grown, cold-pressed Lemon essential oil from Italy. Each batch that goes into our blends is tested for purity and to confirm the active components of the oil.
Citrus (genus Rutaceae) oils, including Lemon, have a shelf-life of one to two years. If the oil is old or oxidized, it can cause skin sensitization. Keeping all oils in a cool, dark place can extend their shelf life. Depending on your nose sensitivity, the oil will smell rancid if it has expired. If this happens, discard the oil.
How Does It Work
Where the essential oil originates in the plant can be quite interesting and let us know intuitively how to use the oil. Lemon essential oil is pressed from the fruit rind. When you think of lemon, you may think of grating zest into food or tea with lemon. When we have tea with lemon, we take a moment for ourselves, settling down with a book or to finish some work.
Lemon essential oil has many similarities to the other citrus oils, but it includes many minor components in trace amounts. This oil contains about 50% limonene, 10% γ-terpene and 10% β-pinene. This leaves quite a bit of room for a wonderful combination of other components from different chemical families.
One very new study examined the effects of essential oils, finding that Lemon essential oil showed notable activity. This study was done on animals, and the oils, especially Lemon, were observed to influence behavioral indicators associated with stress. More work is needed to determine how this is happening and how to best understand the effects of oils such as Lemon essential oil. Laboratory research has explored Lemon essential oil and its primary components, such as limonene, in controlled settings to understand their natural chemical activity.
Lemon is a safe oil but using it at low concentrations (no more than 2% of a total topical blend) is best. If you do want to use it topically, Lemon essential oil is great for skin when mixed with a carrier oil.
Featured In
- Essential oil blend Focus
Fun Fact
Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the peel of fresh lemons, capturing the bright, tangy aroma that has made this fruit a classic favorite in kitchens around the world. Its lively scent adds a cheerful, uplifting note to blends and can bring a sense of clarity and refreshment wherever it’s used.
Best For
- Brightening aromatherapy blends
- Adding a cheerful and refreshing note to diffusers
- Creating an uplifting and invigorating atmosphere
Common Uses
- Diffusing to enjoy its vibrant scent
- Blending with other essential oils for a refreshing environment
- Mixing with a Carrier Oil for use on skin