These days we can buy supercritical carbon dioxide extract of tropical Hibiscus seeds grown in Ecuador, or certified organic combined fractions of Ylang Ylang essential oil — so Lemon essential oil is just not that interesting anymore! But the practitioner interested in therapeutic activity should never forget how amazing Lemon really is. It has a very diverse set of effects, which comes down to it being a great “pick me up” any way you look at it. Here’s a review of these effects, and how you can very easily make use of them every day.

Many people are introduced to Lemon essential oil by someone suggesting putting a few drops in their water throughout the day. It may be to simply make tap water taste better, make the water “cleaner”, or a suggestion to enhance detoxification and even weight loss. Well, the reality is that Lemon will do all these things! While there’s a pervading miss-perception that essential oils should not be ingested, it’s clear that this is actually an oil directly from a food we might eat every day (ok, so we don’t eat the peels, but no one ever said they would kill you!)

The essential oil in water is known to kill certain dangerous bacteria, including diphtheria and tuberculosis. And if that’s not enough to get you to add a little to your water, how’s it sound that it will also aid in the cleansing of your liver and lymph system? Further, lemon is considered to help release the cellular clogging resulting in cellulite. For all these purposes, just add lemon oil to taste to your water. You can add it to your bottle of water at the beginning of the day and take it with you everywhere you go. Do not, if you can avoid it, do this with a plastic bottle however, as the essential oil may decompose some plastics. Looking for a more precise dosage? Try five drops per cup; this is a great way to start your day, when our organ systems are ready for detoxification.

Lemon’s antiseptic properties make it an excellent choice for skin care for those dealing with oily skin, however, the challenge with the oil is its photo-toxicity. If using for antiseptic skin care effects, it should really only be used on parts of the body not to be exposed to direct sunlight for 48 hours after application. However, a more reasonable skin care application is that for dissolving warts. The oil is mentioned in a number of texts for this purpose; apply a single drop directly on the affected location up to 3 times daily. Frankincense can be used at the same time or interchangeably if desired.

How about a great mood lifter? Lemon oil is a perfect choice — being the oil that is considered the highest note, the brightness has a direct brightening on our moods. It’s really the perfect choice for those mid-afternoon doldrums, where our minds and bodies really seem to get stuck in slow gear. This is the time to break out the diffuser and get a little lemon oil going! Its ability to lighten up has been backed-up by scientists noting its stress reducing and anxiety relieving action by working with our dopamine and serotonin systems.

The oil has been the subject of other research directly related to our “smarts”. In one study, Japanese office workers were exposed to Lemon essential oil from a diffuser, and 54% fewer errors were made in the tasks being performed. This makes sense, as the oil is one that has been scientifically confirmed to reduce the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, the primary information-processing neurotransmitter. This results in a higher amount of this chemical being available in our brains. This is the reason people consume choline supplements! The use of essential oils which have this property have also been suggested for use in preventing senile dementia. Bottom line is inhaling Lemon vapor can can clear up the mind, and may help us multitask during busy days.

Just a quick look at Lemon oil reveals an amazing diversity of therapeutic actions that we may not have known it had. It’s a very worthwhile essential oil with so many uses, it can be the perfect start to those just getting into aromatherapy, or for the long-time practitioner interested in incorporating another oil into their already pleasant-smelling lives!

The author utilizes pure therapeutic grade essential oils for aromatherapy. More information is available through The Ananda Apothecary at www.anandaapothecary.com.

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