Lemon Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Lemon essential oil is one of the best-selling essential oils on the market today. It is no wonder with its energizing, invigorating, fresh, clean, purifying, and recognizable scent and the numerous lemon essential oil benefits and uses. It is also an extremely versatile essential oil, everything from addressing skin blemishes to air purification to surface cleaning around the home.

The lemon essential oil can be listed with the botanical name citrus limon, citrus x limon, or citrus limonum. The botanical family is rutaceae. Lemon essential oil is one of the cheaper essential oils in the industry. Prices range from $10-15+ for a 15 ml bottle, depending on the brand and if it is organic. The lemon essential oil has antiseptic, antifungal, and astringent properties.

The lemon essential oil has GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe for food additive or flavoring by the US Food and Drug Administration) status.* The main constituents (over 1%) are limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, and x-pinene. The fragrance note classification is top and the consistency is thin.

For much more on essential oils, be sure to see my Guide to Essential Oils.

There are many lemon essential oil benefits and uses which makes it one of the best essential oils to have in your collection due to the many ways it can be used. There are few products on the market today that can be used for various types of cleaning, to increase wellness within the body, and for beauty. Lemon essential oil provides a wonderful, uplifting and clean scent that is experienced anytime that it is used. Here are many of the ways lemon essential oil can be used:

Furniture polish
Window cleaner
Household cleaner and disinfectant
Use to remove sticky residues
Air purifier
Eliminates odors
Add a drop or two to shampoo to address dandruff
Add a drop to conditioner to produce a nice smooth shine
Use to whiten teeth
Facewash
Bath oil (dilute properly prior to adding to bath)
Apply to zits to clear up quickly
Uplifts mood
Aids memory
Aids respiratory function
Boost immune system
Helps to clear nasal passages
Reduces cough
Reduce inflammation and pain
Relaxes and aids in better sleep
Use in massage
Reduce bacteria in minor infections
Add to lotion or carrier oil to prevent or address dry skin on feet
Some will ingest to help cleanse the body and to aid digestion*

Young Living Lemon Essential Oil

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Essential Oils That Blend Well With Lemon Essential Oil

While there are many benefits and uses for lemon essential oil on its own, there are times when you might want to try blending with another essential oil to reap the benefits of 2 or more essential oils. It is fun to experiment and experience the different essential oils together. Here is a collective list from many of the top essential oil brands of recommended essential oils to blend with lemon essential oil.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
Chamomile – German (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile – Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum)
Cistus (Cistus ladanifer)
Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus)
Coriander Seed (Coriandrum sativum)
Elemi (Canarium Iuzonicum)
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata)
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum or Pelargonium graveolens)
Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)
Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Lime (Citrus x aurantifolia)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
May Chang (Litsea cubeba)
Neroli (Citrus x aurantium)
Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var motia)
Peppermint (mentha x piperita)
Petitgrain (Citrus x aurantium)
Rose (Rosa x centifolia)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

One of the easiest ways to experience lemon essential oil as an essential oil blend is to purchase one that has already been created by many of the top essential oil brands. These blends, or synergies, are usually created by aromatherapists who understand the chemistry within the essential oils and how they respond to each other and are able to achieve a particular scent or therapeutic experience. Since there are so many lemon essential oil benefits and uses there are many blends or synergies that have it included. Here are a few from different essential oil brands:

doTERRA – Lemon Essential Oil

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How is Lemon Essential Oil Made?

Most brands cold press or express the fresh lemon peel. It is possible for the lemon peels to be steam distilled and this is usually clearly indicated on the bottle. Most essential oil brands source their lemons from Italy and some use the USA.

Plant Therapy Lemon Essential Oil 30 mL

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Shelf Life of Lemon Essential Oil

Approximately 2 years with proper storage in cool, dark spaces. Older oils can potentially cause skin irritation or sensitization due to oxidation.

Can You Use Lemon Essential Oil on or Around Children?

Yes. Recommended age is over 2 years old for normal use with appropriate dilution.

Essential oils can be used around children under the age of 2 years old but should be done so mindfully and carefully. Always refer to the specific instructions listed for the essential oil by the brand you are purchasing from.

Lemon Essential Oil Dilution Rate for Topical Application

Adult: up to a maximum of 2% dilution
Children 2-6 years of age: general dilution rates are recommended at 1% or less
Children 6-15 years of age: general dilution rates are recommended at 1.5% or less

NOW Lemon Essential Oil

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Things to Consider When Using Lemon Essential Oil

Citrus essential oils have been known to be phototoxic when used topically. This sensitivity can result in a bad sunburn and varies depending on how much of the lemon essential oil was used if it was applied neat (directly to the skin undiluted) or diluted, and how long after application there has been exposure to the sun. The best practice is to allow 12 hours after application before going into the sun or tanning bed unless using diluted, 12 drops or less to 1 oz of carrier oil.

The lemon essential oil that has been steam distilled it is not phototoxic. Steam distilled lemon essential oil provides an inferior lemon sent than expressed lemon essential oil and would be used more for flavoring than aromatically but offers the same benefits topically.

Plant Therapy Lemon Steam Distilled Essential Oil

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Since lemon essential oil comes from the peel of the plant it is recommended to purchase organically to avoid pesticides that remain on the peel that could be included in the essential oil.

Do not use lemon essential oil when cleaning granite and other natural stone as it could scratch or damage the surface.

The lemon essential oil can cause possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children.

*Please note, that not all essential oils should be ingested and the specific essential oil brand labels and directions should be followed. Also, there is debate within the industry regarding the ingestion of essential oils without following guidance from a physician or certified aromatherapist.

Final Thoughts on Lemon Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

There are many lemon essential oil benefits and uses, a number have been shared in this article to get you started on using this amazing item. The lemon essential oil can be used for cleaning, personal products as well as just enjoying the invigorating scent that comes from this product.