Lemon (Citrus limon) Essential Oil from dōTERRA®

About lemon oil:

Originating in China, the Citrus limon tree, and its fruit, quickly spread throughout all the ancient world.  It was established in the New World in the 1400s, arriving with Columbus.  (Today, Italy is still one of the best sources for lemon oil; dōTERRA‘s lemon oil is sourced from Sicily.)  The fruit has long been associated with freshness and cleanliness; and now, many products are advertised as “lemon scented” to entice buyers.

Lemon oil, as with most citrus oil, is not steam distilled, as are most other essential oils; instead, it is cold pressed (expressed) from the rinds (peels) of the Citrus limon fruit, yielding an oil with a clean, bright, fresh, citrus aroma, high in the chemical compounds of d-Limonene and α- and β-pinenes.   Cold pressing preserves lemon oil’s delicate nature and potent properties.

Like all pure essential oils, lemon has a complete chemical profile, just as it did in nature.  Among its chemical constiuents, one of the most impressive is d-limonene, which has been extensively researched for its antioxidant benefits, in helping to ward off free radical damage to the cells.  (All citrus oils contain limonene, as a major component of their chemical structure.)

When added to water, lemon provides a refreshing and healthy boost, throughout the day.  It can also be added to food, to enhance the flavor of desserts and main dishes.  Due to its high limonene content, lemon is a powerful antioxidant, that can help ward off free radicals.  Taken internally, it provides cleansing and digestive benefits, can soothe an irritated throat, and supports healthy respiratory function, to assist with seasonal respiratory discomfort.

Primary benefits of lemon oil

• Cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces
• Naturally cleanses the body
• Aids in digestion
• Supports healthy respiratory function
• Promotes a positive mood and cognitive ability
• Helps ward off free radicals, with its antioxidant benefits
• Soothes irritated throat

Uses for lemon oil

• Diffuse, and take internally, to support healthy respiratory function.
• Add lemon oil to a spray bottle of water, to cleanse and purify tables, countertops and other surfaces.
• Use as a great furniture polish.  Simply add a few drops to olive oil, to clean, protect and shine wood finishes.
• Use a cloth, soaked in lemon oil, to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
• Use on silver, and other metals, as a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish.

How to use:

Lemon oil is intended for aromatic, topical or dietary use.  It is gentle enough to be used neat.

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.  One of the easiest ways to receive lemon oil‘s remarkable properties is aromatically, through diffusion or direct inhalation.
• Internal use: Dilute one drop in 4 fl oz of liquid, like to a glass of water, for a quick energizing boost.
• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area, like to the bottom of the feet.  While gentle enough to be used neat, dilution with dōTERRA‘s fractionated coconut oil will help to minimize any possible skin sensitivity.  See additional precautions below.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity.  Keep out of reach of children.  If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.  Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.   Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

Other uses for lemon oil

• Mix 6 drops of lemon oil and 6 drops of the Purify oil blend in a spray bottle, along with distilled water, shake well to disperse the oils and spray into the air, to help freshen the air in the bathroom.
• To remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon, rub with 1-2 drops of lemon oil.
• Use 1 drop of lemon oil to add flavor to baked goods or beverages.
• For homemade lemonade, mix 2 drops of lemon oil with 2 tablespoons of honey and two cups of pure water in a blender.  Adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your own taste.
• To clean and increase the shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of lemon oil.  Drop your cleaned fruit into the water and stir.  Be sure all surfaces of the fruit contact the lemon water.  If you have an apple, and only want to eat half of it at that time, you can also put a drop of lemon oil on the part you want to save.  It will prevent oxidation (browning) of the fruit, and adds a really nice flavor to the apple.
• To cleanse and purify cutting boards, counter tops, cupboards and table tops, add 2-3 drops of lemon oil to water and spray them.  Or, you could just add the oil to a pan of water, soak a cloth in it for wiping down surfaces.
• To cleanse and purify your dishcloth, soak it overnight in a bowl of water with a drop of lemon oil.
• Add a drop of lemon oil to your dishwasher, before the wash cycle.
• Rub a drop of lemon oil on your hands, after using a public bathroom.
• Use a paper towel, soaked with several drops of lemon oil, to cleanse and purify bathroom fixtures.
• Rub a drop of lemon oil to cleanse and purify a butcher’s block, or other cutting surfaces.
• Put 10-15 drops of lemon oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution.  This also leaves a fresh smell in the room.  Mixing several drops of lemon oil into baking soda, and sprinkling it over the carpet before vacuuming is also very effective.  (It works for your dog, too; although I don’t recommend the vacuuming part.  A brush works just fine.)

dōTERRA^® Employee Product Tip:

I do a lot of camping and backpacking.  Nearly every weekend, I look for different campsites up canyons in the mountains.  I typically hike 8-10 miles or more, with all my gear; my pack often weighs upwards of 40 lbs.  I really enjoy it, but it can be really tiring.  Sometimes, I take one of the citrus oils (usually lemon or Citrus Bliss^®) and put a couple drops on the straps of my backpack.  It’s a great way to keep energized, forget about the weight of the pack and enjoy beauty of the hike.

— James Porter, Customer Service

I am an avid mountain biker and am constantly trying to keep my flexible backpack water flask and drinking tube free of mold and other yucky residue for my next ride.  I tried adding three or so drops of dōTERRA‘s lemon essential oil to my water before a recent ride and, not only did it add a refreshing lemon twist, my flask smelled lemon fresh the next time I rode.

— Debbie, mountain biker, triathlete, mother of five and satisfied dōTERRA^® customer.

Chemical Profile

How to purchase this product at a great discount — for as little as $13.00.

You can also purchase this product from dōTERRA’s Corporate website.   On that website, besides the full product line and links to some very good resources, you can also purchase product at great discounts, with the option of enrolling, as either a Wellness Advocate, like me, or as a wholesale customer (details on that website). You can also set up an autoship order (a.k.a. Loyalty Rewards Program order) and earn points toward free product, increasing to 30% after one year. And with dōTERRA^®, you’re never locked in to a product you don’t want. You can change your order every month, to suit your needs.

Either way, I believe you will love your experience with dōTERRA^® and the oils.