What Is Lemon Oil?

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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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.

Cleaning Kitchen Cutting Boards

While this may not be specifically for the mind and body healing, it is something that is a good thing to do to keep yourself healthy when preparing food. How many homes have the plastic type cutting boards and over time, they start to look pretty dingy. Well, guess what, they are easier to clean then you thought and they can be cleaned with natural things rather than some harsh, abrasive and toxic chemical.

I got this idea from the book, "Clean House, Clean Planet" written by Karen Logan. (Pg 190). In her book, she talks about using baking soda to clean your kitchen cutting board but to disinfect it, use some lemon and salt.

Here's what I do and it works great. I cut a lemon in half or in quarters and then I slightly wet the cutting board. I sprinkle some salt on it and then take the lemon and squeeze the juice out on the cutting board. Next, I take what is left of the lemon and use it as a scrub brush. Letting it sit on the cutting board for a few minutes can help clean it as well. If it still needs a little more cleaning, I take a scrub brush and scrub it down.

Between the salt and lemon juice, it will most likely clean your cutting board up so that you will have healthy food when you prepare it!

Home Remedies with Essential Oils

Here's something I got in a newsletter recently from the Young Living Essential Oils distributorship that I am part of. These essential oils do wonders as I use them in not only my own health and massage practice, but I also use them in making my own cleaning solutions. If you have questions or want to know how to purchase these, please contact me and I'll be glad to assist you. Young Living has some of the most pure and best essential oils on the market. You can not beat the quality of them.

For Aches & Pains (instead of pain killers, try...)

• Peppermint - erases headaches like magic due to its analgesic properties. Topically apply 1-2 drops of Peppermint and Lavender to your forehead, temples and back of neck.

• Peppermint and PanAway ease stressed muscles and joints. Make a custom massage oil by mixing six drops of either essential oil with one or more tablespoons of V-6 Pure Vegetable Oil complex (or other high quality non scented massage oils. Massage onto the affected area or just apply topically and cover with a moist, hot towel. Feel the relief soak in deep.

• Valor essential oil blend is a favorite of chiropractors and massage therapists because it balances the body's electrical energies. Chiropractors who apply Valor on the spine before an adjustment tell us it makes adjustments easier and helps them last longer.

For Digestive Upsets (instead of the pink stuff, try...)

• Peppermint essential oil - is a simple way to deliver an age-old remedy for indigestion, gas, bloating. Make a soothing tea with one drop Peppermint in a cup of warm water or apply 2-3 drops topically to the abdomen.
• Lemon essential oi is one of the best remedies for heartburn. Place several drops in water and sip slowly. By ingesting Lemon essential oil, the stomach stops excreting digestive acids, thereby alleviating heartburn.

For Cold & Flu Symptoms (instead of antihistamines, try...)

• Thieves is indispensable for minor respiratory conditions. This very versatile oil can be inhaled, applied topically and taken internally. Apply to soles of feet, then inhale deeply (being careful not to get this hot oil near eyes and mucous membranes). One drop mixed well in a 12 ounce glass of cool water, sipped slowly, supports the immune system.
• Fevers - Dilute one drop of Peppermint essential oil with V-6 Pure Vegetable Oil Complex and apply to soles of feet. workes great with children.

For Itchy, Ouchy Skin (instead of spray-on chemicals, try...)

• Lavender has been soothing distressed skin for millenia. When applied topically to sunburn, windburn and other minor burns, it helps to hasten healing of damaged tissues. To moisten minor burns and reduce inflammation, use LavaDerm Spray, which combines Lavender essential oil with soothing aloe vera.
• Insect bites and itchy skin - because of their outstanding antiseptic properties, essential oils are ideal for treating the itchiness and irritation from most kinds of insect bits. Apply Purification, Lavender or Peppermint topically on location 2-4 times daily: 1-2 drops neat or diluted with 1-2 drops V-6 Pure Vegetable Oil Complex.

For Insect Repellent (instead of Deet, try...)

• Dilute 6-10 drops of Purification, Peppermint or Lavender in 4 ounces of water and spray on exposed skin to repel insects and their bites.

For Sore Gums & Mouth try...

• Peppermint's natural menthol helps to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Apply with a toothbrush or make a mild gargle with 1-2 drops of Peppermint in 3 ounces of water.
• Gum Infection - Thieves essential oil blend eliminates the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Place a small drop on a soft toothbrush and apply gently to gumline. Thieves contains hot spice oils such as cinnamon and clove, so sensitive users may wish to dilute first with 2-3 drops of V-6 Oil.

For Insomnia & Restlessness

• Peace & Calming and Lavender are great favorites for those who have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Apply 2-3 drops topically to the temples, back of your neck, then inhale the fragrance from the palms of your hands for a few minutes. Now, enjoy a peaceful night's sleep.

Important Note: When using essential oils internally, it is vitally important to choose therapeutic grade essential oils. Select only those oils which are Generally Regarded As Safe for internal use by the US Food And Drug Administration.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. No responsibility is assumed and no liability assumed for any person or group for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use or misuse of any information herein.

Laundry Detergents: Clean House Clean Planet

Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan

Many laundry detergents have various ingredients in them that may not be the best for you, the environment or your clothes. Common ingredients can include quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium carbonate (or washing soda), sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate, sodium silicate, bleach, enzymes and sometimes phosphates. Sometimes the ingredients on the laundry detergent containers are cloaked in secrecy or ambiguous descriptions. So you may really have to do some research to find out what is truly in the detergent you use. (see pg 191 - Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan)

So to help you out, here are a few of the common ingredients and a little behind the scenes story that you won't find talked about about.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds are toxic. Ingestion can cause burns in the throat. Many companies have phased out these compounds, you can still find them in older formulations. All phenols are corrosive and damaging to the skin and eyes with prolonged exposure leading to liver and kidney damage. (see pg 111 - Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan)

Sodium Carbonate (or Washing Soda) according to Wikipedia is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. Used in the making of glass, as a pH regulator, to remove the flesh from bones in taxidermy, and also used in washing detergents, in food cooking. Sodium Carbonate does have a different chemical composition from Sodium Bicarbonate (also known as Baking Soda). This has many uses but as you can see it has some extremes.

Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate according to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), this is harmful if ingested or inhaled in quantities. It is a mild skin irritant and is readily metabolized in the body.

Sodium Silicate has many uses according to Wikipedia. If it is used in neutral or alkaline it is stable but if it is in an acidic solution, it reacts with hydrogen ions to form silicic acid. Some of the many uses of Sodium Silicate include muffler repair and fitting paste, to seal leaks in the head gasket of engines, to create algae for aquaculture hatcheries, general purpose cement, food preservation, timber treatment, passive fire protection, and water treatment.

Bleach is found in almost everyone's laundry room and yet it was the most frequently reported exposure to the Poison Control Center in 1994. When mixed with acids, bleach can form toxic chlorine gas and when mixed with ammonia, it can form toxic chloramine gas. Bleach can irritate the skin and when ingested it can irritate the mouth, esophagus and stomach. (Pg 19 - Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan). There are also issues of the environment that of course the manufacturer says it is completely safe but that does not necessarily mean it is. There is plenty of evidence out there to suggest that what the manufacturer says is not necessarily true.


If you wish to read up more on various ingredients that are used in laundry detergents, the Soap And Detergent Association has a wonderful website filled with information relating to the industry that they represent. So please read that website with this in mind.

I have tried to find a site that lists all the ingredients of laundry detergents but if it is out there, it is evading me. Of course they claim it is a trade secret but in all reality, as toxic as the ingredients are, they should be listed. We have to thank the lobbyists and campaign contributions for making sure of this.

In this post, I've just listed a few ingredients that have some strange uses. Laundry detergent is not something you want to eat or drink but with children around, you need to be very careful as it takes very little to be ingested to cause serious problems. Laundry detergents are a major source of waste water and so the toxic ingredients in them have to go somewhere. It is probably safe to say that the less we use of these things, the better our world will be for future generations. There is so much more I could share from the book Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan, but I'll let you read it and learn much more than I am able to share here. It is an excellent book and I've personally used many of her ideas. They do work and they work well.

One thing to keep in mind is that many of these detergents to do not wash or rinse out of your clothes very well. If you don't believe this, try washing the next load of laundry and don't put any detergent in. See how much soap and suds come out of the clothes. Some detergents are better than others but why have all of this stuck to the fibers of your clothes where it might be a mild skin irritant or have a level of toxicity that you wear on your body all day long.

Here's some immediate things you can to begin changing how you use Laundry Detergent: (pg 196 - Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan)

• Use half as much detergent and look at the results. Most likely your clothes will be clean with less product. Check it out for yourself and adjust the amount used to see what you truly need for your water type and situation.
• If you have really have a load of laundry that is soiled, you could add a 1/2 Cup of Borax as a laundry booster.
• When you're finished with a bottle of detergent, don't' just throw it out. Fill it up with water from the machine and use it in your washer for another load. You make the bottle go a little further which makes your dollars more effective and less goes into the landfill to pollute the environment and ground water.
• Instead of bleach, try using lemon juice from a squeezed lemon. It works well and it doesn't take much.
  
• Instead of fabric softener, try using 1/2 Cup baking soda to the rinse cycle.
  
• Check out alternatives to the regular store brands. There are more Eco friendly products and some of them don't get too expensive.
• Get yourself a measuring cup and keep it by the washing machine to accurately measure out laundry detergent. Don't go by the eyeball method or if I put more, it will clean better. More is not always better. Plus your laundry detergent dollars will go much further!
  

I use Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds for my laundry and I also use it for general cleaning and to mop my floors. It is a great cleaner and rinses out of the clothes much better than most laundry detergents. I use essential oils as well if I am cleaning the floors and it really makes the house smell great. The one nice thing when I use it on the floors is that it seems like dirt is not attracted to my floors like regular household cleaners. So I assume the same is true with using this in the laundry. This product appears expensive but I have a 1/4 cup measuring cup that I use and for most loads of laundry, I probably fill that measuring cup half way. Half of the 1/4 cup measuring cup is plenty for about 4 gallons of mop bucket water. Any more than that and everything is too soap sudsy. I have even began to experiment putting lemon essential oil (about 5 drops) into my whites and I was amazed at how well it cleaned them. I've started to add 1/2 cup of baking soda and it helps not only clean the laundry good but gives them a softness. So while this soap product may look expensive, it does go a long ways. If you use it like I do, it will last a long time.

The biggest thing is to become aware of what you are using and see just how it impacts not only your life, but the world around you. Of course finding something that works well and is not a hassle, is a big plus in making this work. Do like I've done though and prove to yourself if all of this makes a difference. I was a skeptic at first but the more I learn and do with this, the more I realize just what a difference it makes in my life.

Much of the information I shared here, I got from researching online and reading the book, Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan. This book is wonderful and has so many natural cleaning methods in it that are easy, inexpensive and wonderful to use. If you want to cut some of your household expenses from cleaning supplies, get this book. You'll be surprised at how it changes your life!