Lemon Peel Essential Oil

Latin (Botanical) Name:  Citrus limon

Plant Family:  Rutaceae

Common Extraction Method:  Cold press (Steam distillation can also be used)

Typically Used Plant Part:  Peel

Color:  Light yellow

Aromatic Characteristic:  Fresh lemon peel flavor

 

The name lemon is derived from the Arabic word "laimun" or the Persian word "limun" meaning "citrus fruits".

Both the lemon fruit and its essential oil have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of health problems. Lemon trees are native to Asia and were used not only by the ancient Indians, but also by the Egyptians and Romans to treat infectious diseases. It is believed that lemon trees were brought to Europe in the Middle Ages around 200 AD, then migrated from the Middle East to North Africa, and were eventually introduced to the Americas by Christopher Columbus. Because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, British sailors in the Royal Navy often used lemons to protect against diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies.

Lemon peel essential oil is obtained by cold pressing the lemon peel. Thanks to the active ingredients it contains, it offers many health benefits.

      KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

• Limonene
• Pinene
• Citral
• Geraniol
• Linalool

      BENEFITS

• It shows antioxidant characteristic:

Lemon peel oil shows antioxidant characteristic thanks to the limonene it contains. It helps to reduce the oxidative stress that the cells are exposed to and to prevent the aging of the cells [1].

• Revitalization and Energy:

Lemon peel oil shows antidepressant characteristic, it helps reduce mental fatigue, stress and anxiety; also, it helps calming and improving mood [1] [2] [3]. Lemon peel oil is used in some workplaces to increase employee focus, energy, efficiency and reduce the number of mistakes.

• Common cold

Lemon peel essential oil, when smelled, helps clearing the nasal passages, helping to breathe easier and reduce coughing for those with respiratory problems or infections [1]. The scent can be spread by dripping 6-10 drops into the water in the censer or electric diffuser.

• It shows antibacterial and antimicrobial characteristics:

Lemon peel essential oil is one of the few essential oils that helps killing harmful bacteria that may develop on the skin. With its antibacterial characteristic, it helps to clean small wounds topically and to prevent inflammation caused by some bacteria on the skin [4] [5].

• Nausea:

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common symptoms experienced in early pregnancy. Lemon peel oil helps to significantly reduce the levels of nausea and vomiting [6].

• It shows anti-inflammatory characteristic:

It helps to reduce pain such as headache and joint pain [1].

• It shows antifungal characteristic:

Thanks to its high pinene component, it supports the healing of some fungi [7].

• Cleaning:

Thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial characteristics, lemon peel oil can be used throughout the house as a non-toxic cleaner and air freshener to purify the air and surfaces. You can mix 2 glasses of water with 5 drops of oregano oil and 5 drops of lemon peel oil in a bottle and use it as a surface cleaner.

• Pests:

Lemon peel oil helps keep ants and bugs away and neutralize pests in your home, thanks to the limonene it contains [8].

      WARNINGS

• IT IS AN ESSENTIAL OIL, DIRECT APPLICATION MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying topically. You can do a patch test before using the oil if you want to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin.
• FOR EXTERNAL USE, NON-DRINKABLE.
• Avoid contact with eyes, in case of contact rinse with plenty of water.
• Do not use the product if you have a known allergy to any of its ingredients.
• It is recommended that children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people using medication should consult their doctor before using lemon peel oil.

      ACADEMIC STUDIES

[1] A.J. Vieira, F.P. Beserra, M.C. Souza, B.M. Totti, A.L. Rozza (2018). Limonene: Aroma of innovation in health and disease. Chemico-Biological Interactions, Volume 283, 1 March 2018, Pages 97-106

[2] M. Komiya, T. Takeuchi, E. Harada (2006). Lemon oil vapor causes an anti-stress effect via modulating the 5-HT and DA activities in mice. Behav Brain Res., 2006 Sep 25;172(2):240-9

[3] K. Farhad, N. Mahboubeh, S. Mohammad, A. Gholamreza, F. Mohammad (2016). Effect of aromatheraphy with lemon essential oil on anxiety after orthopedic surgery. Iranian Journal of Rehailitation Research in Nursing, Summer 2016 , Volume 2 , Number 4 ; Page(s) 26 to 31.

[4] A. Man, L. Santacroce, R. Jacob, A. Mare, L. Man (2019). Antimicrobial Activity of Six Essential Oils Against a Group of Human Pathogens: A Comparative Study. Pathogens. 2019 Mar; 8(1): 15.

[5] Ogbechie, A., Abioye, A., Shen, J. and Laird, K. (2017) Antimicrobial activity of Litsea cubeba, Rosmarinus officinalis and Citrus lemon essential oils against five skin-infection related pathogens. Trends in Natural Product Research Meeting, Lille France

[6] P. Yavari, F. Safajou, M. Shahnazi, H. Nazemiyeh (2014). The Effect of Lemon Inhalation Aromatherapy on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014 Mar; 16(3): e14360.

[7] L. Jing, Z. Lei, L. Li, R. Xie, W. Xi, Y. Guan, L. W. Sumner, Z. Zhou. Antifungal activity of citrus essential oils: A review. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry – March 2014.

[8] P. Erasto, A. M. Viljoen (2008).  Limonene - A Review: Biosynthetic, Ecological andPharmacological Relevance. Natural Product Communications 2008, Vol. 3, No. 7, 1193 – 1202.