People often ask, "what is lemon oil?" I really didn't know that much about lemon essential oil until I started doing some research online. There are many uses for it, from health concerns, food dishes, insecticide treatments, and perfume, as well as cleaning and disinfecting.
To understand what is lemon oil, it is helpful to know where it comes from as well as the ingredients. Lemon oil comes from the rind of a yellow fruit from a small evergreen tree. While the lemon tree was native to Asia, Christopher Columbus brought the seeds to the U.S. in 1492. The lemon tree is believed to have been grown first in India and China.
Facts About Lemon Oil
Lemon oil contains two main ingredients, limonene, which creates the aroma, and citral or citric acid. The 5% citric acid in lemon juice gives the sour taste. The pH of lemon juice is around 2 to 3. Cold pressing is used to extract the lemon oil, and it takes about 1500 lemons to produce about one pound of oil. There are three tablespoons of juice in each lemon.
What Is Lemon Oil Used For?
There are many uses for lemons including a disinfectant, liver stimulant, calming effect, antiseptic, and an antibacterial. It also helps in situations of anxiety, stress, and brain alertness. Other uses include perfumes, short term preservatives, cleaning and cooking.
Studies have shown that test scores increase by up to 50% when lemon oil is diffused. A study in Japan diffused lemon oil into an office and found that there were over 50% fewer errors by the employees. In 1747, James Lind experimented with lemons to cure scurvy in seamen.
Other Facts About Lemon Oil
Lemon oil combines well with other essential oils. Lemon zest is ground lemon peel that is used in food dishes as flavoring. If you need to brighten copper cookware or remove stains from plastic containers, try cutting a lemon in half and dipping it in baking soda, as you scrub the area to be cleaned. Disinfect a room with a diffuser, or just add a few drops of lemon to a spray bottle of distilled water.
Cautions
Always test a small amount of any oil first to make sure it is safe. Lemon is photo-toxic, so if you apply it to your skin, be careful about going out in the sun. Lemons left unrefrigerated for long periods of time can mold.
Where To Buy Lemon Oil?
Now that you know what is lemon oil, you most likely will be wondering where you can buy this oil. One of my favorite suppliers is Ananda Apothecary. They have high quality essential oils at very good prices and their customer service is top notch!
Even though I use lemon oil regularly, I did not fully understand what is lemon oil until I did some online research. It is a powerful essential oil that should be in every home. While you're at it, pick up a couple of lemons the next time you go to the grocery store!
Further Reading:
1) Cleaning Kitchen Cutting Boards (Blog Post May 8, 2010)
2) Home Remedies With Essential Oils (Blog Post July 16, 2009)
Sources Of Information:
1) Ananda Apothecary - Lemon Essential Oil
2) Health Benefits Of Lemon Oil - Organicfacts.Net
3) Lemon - Wikipedia
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Blog Post & Images (c) 8/2/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com
If any part of this post is used or shared, a link back to this site is required.
http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/
Please ask for permission before reprinting this article. Thanks!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer:
This blog post is not intended to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. Consult your medical professional provider before making any decisions about your health or body regarding the information contained in this blog post.
To understand what is lemon oil, it is helpful to know where it comes from as well as the ingredients. Lemon oil comes from the rind of a yellow fruit from a small evergreen tree. While the lemon tree was native to Asia, Christopher Columbus brought the seeds to the U.S. in 1492. The lemon tree is believed to have been grown first in India and China.
Facts About Lemon Oil
Lemon oil contains two main ingredients, limonene, which creates the aroma, and citral or citric acid. The 5% citric acid in lemon juice gives the sour taste. The pH of lemon juice is around 2 to 3. Cold pressing is used to extract the lemon oil, and it takes about 1500 lemons to produce about one pound of oil. There are three tablespoons of juice in each lemon.
What Is Lemon Oil Used For?
There are many uses for lemons including a disinfectant, liver stimulant, calming effect, antiseptic, and an antibacterial. It also helps in situations of anxiety, stress, and brain alertness. Other uses include perfumes, short term preservatives, cleaning and cooking.
Studies have shown that test scores increase by up to 50% when lemon oil is diffused. A study in Japan diffused lemon oil into an office and found that there were over 50% fewer errors by the employees. In 1747, James Lind experimented with lemons to cure scurvy in seamen.
Other Facts About Lemon Oil
Lemon oil combines well with other essential oils. Lemon zest is ground lemon peel that is used in food dishes as flavoring. If you need to brighten copper cookware or remove stains from plastic containers, try cutting a lemon in half and dipping it in baking soda, as you scrub the area to be cleaned. Disinfect a room with a diffuser, or just add a few drops of lemon to a spray bottle of distilled water.
Cautions
Always test a small amount of any oil first to make sure it is safe. Lemon is photo-toxic, so if you apply it to your skin, be careful about going out in the sun. Lemons left unrefrigerated for long periods of time can mold.
Where To Buy Lemon Oil?
Now that you know what is lemon oil, you most likely will be wondering where you can buy this oil. One of my favorite suppliers is Ananda Apothecary. They have high quality essential oils at very good prices and their customer service is top notch!
Even though I use lemon oil regularly, I did not fully understand what is lemon oil until I did some online research. It is a powerful essential oil that should be in every home. While you're at it, pick up a couple of lemons the next time you go to the grocery store!
Further Reading:
1) Cleaning Kitchen Cutting Boards (Blog Post May 8, 2010)
2) Home Remedies With Essential Oils (Blog Post July 16, 2009)
Sources Of Information:
1) Ananda Apothecary - Lemon Essential Oil
2) Health Benefits Of Lemon Oil - Organicfacts.Net
3) Lemon - Wikipedia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blog Post & Images (c) 8/2/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com
If any part of this post is used or shared, a link back to this site is required.
http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/
Please ask for permission before reprinting this article. Thanks!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer:
This blog post is not intended to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. Consult your medical professional provider before making any decisions about your health or body regarding the information contained in this blog post.
your facts about lemon oil discuss both the oil and the juice and seems to use them interchangeably. I don't believe the oil contains citric acid at all.
ReplyDeleteI may have misstated this fact as I went back and looked at the sources I referenced. I cannot confirm or deny if Citric Acid is in Lemon Essential Oil. By chance, do you have any source that would indicate its presence or absence? I will keep looking further on this and thank you for bringing it to my attention.
DeleteGood day, we really want to say thanks at your post, really true information shared by you.
ReplyDelete