subject: Beginning Aromatherapy: Making Use Of The Amazing Lemon Essential Oil [print this page] 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.
The most common use of Lemon oil, and how many people get introduced to it (and to aromatherapy in general) is adding it to drinking water. Folks have been adding the oil to tap water just to add some flavor for a long time, before the idea of purifying your water was a big deal. With a little more understanding of what the oil does, however, now we know we're NOT just making it taste better, but we're purifying the water AND ourselves.
In terms of making the water cleaner, Lemon essential oil is noted to kill Diphtheria bacteria at a 0.2% concentration. This converts to 10 drops in about 8 ounces of water. This is a little bit strong -- a very lemony flavor -- and 5 drops at any one time is a more common amount to consume (unless you feel your water is really in need of purification). The oil is also thought to be an excellent detoxifyer for the liver and the lymph system. For this, add 5 drops to a cup of water and drink on an empty stomach. This can be done first thing in the morning, an excellent time for purification of the body. So you can see, adding a little Lemon to your water is a great idea just for taste, for purification of the water itself, and for personal detoxification -- easy to do and very worthwhile!
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.
Diffusing cold pressed Lemon essential oil is one of the simplest pick-me-up aromatherapy practices on the planet. The oil, being considered the "highest note in aromatherapy" has an accompanying "high vibration" to go along with it. The aroma is a first choice to clear the mind during those mid-afternoon work doldrums. It's thought to aid in decision making without being over-stimulating. For all these uses, use Lemon alone in either an ultrasonic, fan, or nebulizing diffuser (avoid a "warming" type), and if you want to get a little fancy, mix it with any of the other citrus oils: Bergamot and Sweet Orange will make for a really enjoyable blend.
It's not just an emotional pick-me-up Lemon offers, but one to our calculating brains as well. Research in Japan showed office workers reducing their errors by nearly one-half when inhaling the aroma. The essential oil has been the focus of university research which clearly indicated chemical changes in our gray matter: Lemon essential oil reduces the rate at which acetylcholine is broken down, making more available for use. Acetylcholine is the primary information-processing neurotransmitter -- so whether its from putting a smile on our faces or making more neurotransmitters available, simple lemon oil is a great choice for students when studying, the office environment, or anytime a little mental clarity is called for.
So there you have it, some great reasons Lemon essential oil has real potential for benefit for our health. While its not nearly as exotic as Ethiopian Myrrh or Ecuadorian Hibiscus Seed, it has just as many fancy effects on our mind and body. For the long-time aromatherapy practitioner, Lemon is a great addition to oils you might already use, and for the beginner, its an absolutely wonderful place to start.
