Lemon essential oil: properties and uses
Citrus fruits contain many useful components that contribute to better health. In essential oils prepared from them, the concentration of useful elements is maximum. This article will talk about the properties and uses of lemon essential oil.
What it is?
Lemon trees grow mainly in countries with fairly high air temperatures. Such environmental conditions contribute to the fact that the fruits ripen well and therefore acquire their beneficial properties. Lemons can be used to make essential oils. It is quite useful for the human body and can be used for various purposes.
People have known about the beneficial properties of lemon since ancient times. This plant was grown in China, Ancient Egypt, India and even on the islands in the Pacific Ocean. Ancient healers believed that oils prepared from this “sunny” citrus plant could help cure quite dangerous diseases. So, this herbal remedy was used in the treatment of infectious diseases, as well as for the prevention of various diseases that, during an epidemic, are quickly transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one.
Lemon essential oil can be prepared in a variety of ways.Useful extracts are found in large quantities in citrus peel, so the oil obtained by cold pressing is a fairly effective tool used in cosmetology and traditional medicine. Such a product is usually more expensive and has a better composition.
Compound
Lemon essential oil has a rather oily texture due to the fatty components that are present in it. The color of the product may be different and depends on the method of manufacture, as well as the quality of the oil. Most often the product has a light yellow color. However, when stored for a long time, the color of the liquid may change, it becomes dark.
Cold-pressed or even hand-pressed oils contain many components that have a positive effect on health. Also, this feature of the chemical composition contributes to the fact that lemon essential oil is used not only for culinary, but also for cosmetic purposes.
So, the product contains the following components:
- a nicotinic acid;
- B vitamins;
- beta carotenes;
- folic acid;
- vitamin C.
These chemical components have a positive effect on the functioning of the body. Also, this useful product contains minerals necessary for body cells.
Yes, it contains:
- chlorine;
- sulfur;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- sodium;
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- iron;
- copper;
- boron;
- molybdenum.
Oil made from lemon contains quite a lot of calories. However, the taste of this product is so intense that it is simply not possible to consume it in large quantities.
Essential lemon oil has the ability to raise the tone. This action improves the functioning of blood vessels.It is believed that the use of this product helps to cope with the problems of pathological thrombosis, and also contribute to the normalization of blood viscosity. Such an effect contributes to the fact that the risk of the formation of dangerous blood clots that prevent the normal flow of blood through the vessels supplying the internal organs is reduced.
The essential oil also contains ferrum. Iron contributes to an increase in the concentration of erythrocytes - red blood cells. Usually the level of these cells decreases in the body in case of iron deficiency anemia. The use of essential oil as part of the complex treatment of this pathology can help improve the well-being of a person suffering from anemia.
Since ancient times, people have valued oils made from lemon for their ability to protect the human body from various infections. In ancient times, they did not yet know the mechanism of such an effect. Modern scientists have found that lemon essential oil contains ascorbic acid and a number of other beneficial components that have a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system. Entering the body, these substances help to strengthen the immune system, making the natural defenses of the human body stronger and stronger.
Essential oils made from lemons can also have an antiviral effect. That is why they can be used to prevent various colds during seasonal viral diseases. The beneficial components contained in these oils also have a detoxifying effect on the body.Given this feature, traditional medicine experts recommend using essential lemon oil for rinsing the throat in inflammatory diseases - tonsillitis, laryngitis, stomatitis and many others. Carrying out such therapy contributes to the fact that inflammation in the oropharynx and respiratory tract passes faster.
The ability to have a detrimental effect on viruses contributes to the fact that lemon essential oil can be used to eliminate rashes caused by a herpes infection. Unfortunately, many people are familiar with this problem. Herpes rashes appear mainly with a decrease in immunity or after a serious illness. Applying lemon essential oil topically to the area of inflammation can help relieve itching and improve well-being.
This herbal product also has antibacterial properties. That is why traditional medicine experts recommend its use for the treatment of streptococcal and staphylococcal pathologies. Ancient healers used this remedy for the treatment of tuberculosis. It was believed that the use of lemon essential oil helps to strengthen the strength of a person weakened by an illness, and also has a detrimental effect on the bacteria that caused this disease.
Lemon essential oil has a positive effect on the functioning of hepatocytes - the structural cells of the liver. This effect contributes to the fact that the liver performs all its functions better. That is why lemon essential oil is often used by traditional medicine specialists in the treatment of various chronic liver diseases.
Subtleties of use
In the essential lemon oil, made by cold pressing, all the beneficial substances that are present in the "sunny" citrus fruits are preserved. That is why traditional medicine specialists often use this product in the preparation of comprehensive treatment programs for various diseases.
There are many ways to use this wonderful herbal product. So, it can be used both externally and internally. Oral use is mainly used to treat various diseases of the internal organs. The external method is used mainly for cosmetic purposes.
At home
Lemon essential oil has a wide range of uses. It can also be used for aromatherapy purposes. The components that make up this herbal product have a positive effect on mood and even help to cope with various depressive conditions. Also, aromatherapy using this citrus oil has a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system.
In the summer, lemon essential oil can also be used to repel mosquitoes. The components that make up this herbal product can repel blood-sucking insects. In order to enhance this effect, lemon oil can be mixed with other oils - lavender, peppermint, cloves. Such a "scare" mixture is easy to prepare at home.
Interestingly, even musicians use lemon essential oil. Guitarists treat their guitars with this herbal remedy to restore the wood to its original beautiful color.Currently, manufacturers offer a large number of a wide variety of products containing lemon oil in their composition that can be used for this purpose.
In cosmetology
Essential lemon oil has a positive effect on the skin. It is no coincidence that many women have this herbal remedy in their home medicine cabinet. This herbal product contains components that improve the tone and, consequently, the appearance of the skin. It is believed that the use of essential lemon oil helps to slow down the progression of changes in the physical properties of the skin fibers, consisting of collagen and elastin.
When using essential lemon oil, be aware that it can change the color of the skin. So, with frequent use of this product, they become lighter. This property contributed to the fact that this herbal product began to be used for cosmetic purposes.
Since ancient times, the fair sex has used oil to stay beautiful and young for a long period of time. The systematic use of essential lemon oil helps against wrinkles and also improves the appearance of the skin. Mature skin against the background of the course application of this herbal remedy acquires a healthy glow and good tone. Also, the use of this product helps to reduce the severity of age spots, which, unfortunately, appear in many women after menopause.
Owners of oily skin often use essential lemon oil for face care. It is worth noting that many rather expensive cosmetic products contain this useful product.The components contained in lemon oil help to reduce the pronounced shine on the face. The systematic use of lemon essential oil contributes to the fact that the pores become less pronounced, and the number of black spots decreases. The reviews of many people who have oily skin indicate that the course use of this herbal product has helped to improve the complexion, as well as cope with strong shine and greasiness.
The presence in the oil of plant components that have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect contributes to the fact that this product can also be used to treat acne. To eliminate rashes, it is recommended to apply an oil agent to the affected area with a cotton swab pointwise 2-3 times a day. Such treatment will help to quickly cleanse the skin of rashes, as well as improve its appearance.
Traditional medicine experts recommend using lemon essential oil for people who suffer from rosacea. They note that the use of this herbal product helps to reduce the severity of the vascular network on the face. In order to achieve a positive result, the essential oil should be used for several weeks.
Essential oil made from lemons can also be used to improve the condition and appearance of hair. A few drops of the product added to the nourishing mask before shampooing will make the hair more manageable and silky. Also, this herbal remedy helps to cope with increased oiliness of the scalp and reduce the appearance of dandruff. In order to achieve the desired result, several such cosmetic procedures should be done.
Women who use lemon essential oil to add extra shine to their hair, it is advised to add 2-3 drops of this product to the hair conditioner. This way of using an oil product is great for women who don't have much time to make homemade hair masks. This express method allows you to improve the appearance of the hair, and also contributes to the fact that they become healthier and more manageable.
Lemon essential oil helps fight cellulite. However, this herbal product is used only in complex therapy. Unfortunately, without proper nutrition and adequate physical activity, it will not be possible to reduce the manifestations of cellulite.
Oil made from lemons helps improve the appearance of nails. The use of this herbal product in courses reduces the fragility of the nails and makes the nail plates more durable. Also, the use of this herbal product helps to make the nails lighter. It may take a couple of weeks of systematic use to achieve the first noticeable result.
It should be noted that essential oils, including those made from lemons, are quite allergenic. Some people are highly sensitive to citrus fruits. If you have an allergy or individual intolerance to lemons, you cannot use such essential citrus oil, as you can significantly harm your health.
If, after treatment with essential oil, red spots appear on the skin that itch and bring discomfort, then there is a high probability that an allergy has manifested itself in this way.In this case, you should immediately stop using the oil, take an antihistamine and see a doctor. People suffering from various types of allergies should not use this citrus essential oil without prior consultation with a specialist.
A radiant white smile is often perceived by others as an indicator of good health. Smokers and people who like coffee or tea often cannot boast of a snow-white smile. The modern pharmaceutical market offers a huge variety of products that make a snow-white smile. However, not all of them are absolutely safe and affordable. Lemon essential oil is the most affordable herbal remedy for whitening teeth.
People who have already used this method of home whitening in their own practice note that after the course use of essential oil, the color of their teeth became lighter. This method is certainly quite effective. However, you need to be careful when doing it. In some cases, resorting to this method of home teeth whitening is not worth it. People who have pathologically high tooth sensitivity to various acids should definitely consult a dentist before using lemon essential oil.
Folk recipes
Lemon essential oil can be used to make an oil blend for mature and aging skin.
This will require:
- peach oil - 1 tbsp. l.;
- lemon oil - 1-2 drops.
The oily ingredients should be mixed and applied to clean skin before going to bed.It is worth noting that it is better to do this procedure in the evening, since lemon oil increases the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet rays. The first results from such a home procedure can be seen after 1-2 weeks of use.
In order to brighten and improve skin tone, you can use a mixture of sea buckthorn and lemon oil products. You can also use grape seed or avocado oil when preparing an oil mixture for the face. It should also be applied to cleansed skin before going to bed. Regular use of masks will help the skin become more radiant and hydrated.
How to do it yourself?
Making lemon butter at home is pretty easy. This will require very few ingredients. Typically, vegetable oils are used in the preparation of such a vegetable product. This method of manufacturing an oil product is simpler and is often used in practice.
To make oil from these citrus fruits, you need a few lemons. Fruits should be washed well, dried and cut off the zest. Next, the crushed citrus peels are neatly placed in a glass container and poured with vegetable oil (usually olive oil). It is best to infuse lemon liquid in a dark place for 3-4 weeks. After this time, the oily liquid should be separated from the crusts and drained into another container.
The finished herbal product is best stored in a cool place. This recipe is universal. If desired, you can make it at once from several varieties of citrus fruits - lemon, orange, lime.
For more information about the beneficial properties of lemon essential oil, see the following video.