Perhaps you're a user of essential oils, and you really appreciate their incredible array of fantastic health effects. You know that Lavender can help you relax, and Frankincense has impressive immune-system boosting activity. Or maybe you've never used an essential oil at all, and are wondering where to get started? Either way, Lemon oil is practically a requirement for every burgeoning aromatherapy practitioner. Often overlooked by the aromatherapy enthusiast, yet readily available and reasonably-priced, Lemon has a host of uses, some of which are completely unexpected in their profound results for our health.
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.
Research has shown the essential oil can kill pathogenic bacteria in water at a concentration of 1/5th of one percent. That's 1/500th of the total amount of fluid. This amounts to 1 milliliter per 500 milliliters of water, or 20 drops per half liter. Got it? Now that's really only for purification of water that has detectable amounts of certain bacteria -- not a concentration we need to use all the time. Something a little more reasonable is 5 drops in a good size glass. This will have the effect of purifying your water, and follows a protocol for actually cleansing your liver as well. This is a perfect thing to do first thing in the morning, or anytime your stomach is empty. And even if you're not going through a cleanse at the moment, adding a few drops to your water now and then is an excellent idea to maintain your body's toxin elimination systems.
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.
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.
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.
Research has shown the essential oil can kill pathogenic bacteria in water at a concentration of 1/5th of one percent. That's 1/500th of the total amount of fluid. This amounts to 1 milliliter per 500 milliliters of water, or 20 drops per half liter. Got it? Now that's really only for purification of water that has detectable amounts of certain bacteria -- not a concentration we need to use all the time. Something a little more reasonable is 5 drops in a good size glass. This will have the effect of purifying your water, and follows a protocol for actually cleansing your liver as well. This is a perfect thing to do first thing in the morning, or anytime your stomach is empty. And even if you're not going through a cleanse at the moment, adding a few drops to your water now and then is an excellent idea to maintain your body's toxin elimination systems.
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.
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.
About the Author:
The author regularly employs pure aromatherapy essential oils and Bach flower remedy therapy in her practice.
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