Lemons are so fresh and zesty, don’t you agree?
Squeeze a bunch of lemon slices and you’ll get that delightfully zingy juice that you can use as dressing your favorite salads, fish or chicken dishes, and even for cleaning.
As nature’s detoxifier, lemons do a great job in regulating the body’s systems.
Logic would have it that a concentrated version of lemon would benefit the body just the same, right?
Here comes lemon oil, the oil extracted from the lemon peel, cold pressed, with all of its precious compounds intact.
Here are various ways lemon oil can benefit your health:
1. Lemon Oil is an Antimicrobial Agent
Small as they are, microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses can cause serious trouble.
When they make their way inside the body, they can infect the system and bring illness.
Fortunately, these infections can be controlled with the use of lemon oil.
Lemon oil is a powerful antibacterial agent that can combat problematic strains of microbes including Candida albicans [2].
In a study conducted by the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Opole in Poland, six brands of lemon oil were tested against six different strains of Candida [2].
These different brands of lemon oil contained terpenes and oxygenated terpenes which produce the antimicrobial effects [2].
Experts conclude the lemon oil can be used as an effective natural remedy against Candida infections [2].
Here are some other ways lemon oil can be used as an antibacterial agent:
- Use as a cleaner on bathroom and kitchen surfaces
- Add a few drops to laundry for a fresher scent
- Use on acne and skin blemishes
- Combine with water in a spray bottle and spritz in the air to kill germs and refresh air
- Add to tap water to purify and kill germs
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil is effective as an antibacterial agent and can help fight infections caused by Candida albicans and other microbes.
2. Lemon Oil Improves Mood
If you feel like you could use a boost in your mood, aromatherapy is a good option.
It has been proven time and again that essential oils have positive effects on neurological processes [3].
One essential oil that could serve this purpose is lemon oil.
Filling the room with the scent of lemon oil helps create a bright, clean and welcoming atmosphere that evokes a sense of well being and restoration.
This oil has a direct neurological effect on mood, and has been proven to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress-related ailments [4].
There have been cases in which it has eliminated the need for antidepressants altogether [4].
In a study published in the Olfactory Influences on Mood and Autonomic, Endocrine and Immune Function, it was shown that lemon oil, when diffused into the air, successfully improves mood [5].
This occurs as the levels of the ‘feel good’ brain chemical called norepinephrine increases upon inhalation of the lemon infused air [5].
Consider the air and scents around you, and how they could be affecting your mood.
Adding something as simple as lemon oil to your living room diffuser will greatly benefit your mental and emotional well being.
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil has been found to have significant anxiolytic effects that can help improve the mood when diffused into the air.
3. Lemon Oil is Essential for Weight loss
Most people who try to lose weight do it so they’ll look better and feel more confident.
There’s nothing wrong having this as your motivation to put your weight loss program into action.
However, it’s important to remember that losing weight is also essential for one’s health, and that maintaining an ideal body mass index (BMI) can reduce the risk of many serious ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, among others.
Here’s a natural way to lose weight:
Use lemon oil.
This oil is amazing at breaking down fat and should therefore be added to your weight loss program.
According to a study that can be found in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, the polyphenols derived from the lemon peel can increase mRNA levels of enzymes involved in β-Oxidation in white adipose tissue in mice [6].
Researchers explain that lemon can successfully suppress weight gain in mice which were fed with high fat diets [6].
This was made possible by the regulation of enzymes that break down fat [6].
Another way it helps:
Lemon oil can also aid in eliminating intestinal parasites, which are often a hidden cause of weight gain [7].
This also helps increase energy levels as well as balance metabolism [7].
Moreover, it is also established that drinking a glass of water with a few drops of lemon oil will sufficiently suppress the appetite, and curb any cravings you may currently be having [8].
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil can help with weight loss by breaking down fat, regulating metabolism and suppressing appetite.
4. Lemon Oil Improves Oral Health
Maintaining your oral health is as important as maintaining the health of any other part of your body.
Mayo Clinic links oral health with diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and even calls oral health “a window to overall health”.
A study shows that the antibacterial substances in lemon oil are particularly effective against oral bacteria that cause dental caries and periodontal disease [9].
Oral bacterial strains that are susceptible to lemon oil’s inhibitory effects include Streptococcus mutans, Pophyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia [9].
These are due to the presence of active compounds in lemon oil such as 8-Geranyloxypsolaren, 5-geranyloxypsolaren, and 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin [9].
It’s no surprise that many natural antibacterial chewing gums contain lemon oil as part of its formula because of its benefit to oral health.
Try massaging a few drops of lemon oil into gums twice a week.
But be careful:
Lemon oil can wear down enamel from its acidity so be sure not to apply too often.
Key Takeaway:
The antibacterial substances found in lemon oil are very effective against dental disease.
5. Lemon Oil Supports Immune System
Since most lemon oil is usually cold pressed, it keeps the majority of its nutrients intact through processing.
This makes lemon oil one of the highest essential oil sources of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is crucial for the upkeep of the immune system.
Deficiency in this vitamin would cause degradation in tissues, and increase the risk of scurvy.
It’s a good thing vitamin C is widely available in fruits and vegetables that you can find in today’s marketplace.
If you’d like to ensure that you’re getting enough of this vitamin, try incorporating lemon oil in your daily diet.
Lemon oil works in stimulating and detoxifying the lymphatic system, another essential part of your immunity [10].
White blood cells are stimulated by the lemon oil to then fight the infection at hand [10].
Massage 50 percent lemon oil mixed with 50 percent carrier oil under arms or on affected, swollen lymph nodes.
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil supports immune system by providing a high amount of vitamin C and by stimulating lymphatic system.
6. Lemon Oil Keeps the Skin Radiant
When you no longer like what you see when you look in the mirror—acne, blackheads, fine lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles—it would be a good idea to rely on natural skincare remedies.
One that you should try is lemon oil.
With its significant astringent qualities, lemon oil works great as a skin supplement, and is perfect for blemishes on oily skin.
It can also prevent aging by way of an antioxidant compound found in lemon oil that the University of Catana has named Lem1 [11].
Lem1 demonstrate strong antioxidant activities, which means it can inhibit free radical reactions that occur in aging skin [11].
With lemon oil’s high antioxidant content, it can dramatically decrease the amount of skin damage caused by free radicals [11].
Remember that free radicals are usually the culprits for premature sking aging.
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil’s astringent qualities and high antioxidant content make it beneficial for skin use. It can help ward off blemishes like acne, and at the same time, keep the skin looking young and fresh.
7. Lemon Oil Has Significant Detoxifying Powers
For some people, detox is nothing more than just a popular trend.
What they do not know is that this process plays a very important role in health and wellbeing.
Detoxification is the process by which the body gets rid of toxins that have gotten inside the body.
Eliminating these toxins can make you less susceptible to disease.
An efficient way to detoxify the body is with the use of lemon oil.
That’s because lemon oil contains a terpene called limonene, which works so effectively in detoxifying the liver [12].
Since this active compound is more concentrated in the peel, it’s a good idea to add peel or lemon oil in your lemon water detox to maximize the effects.
Key Takeaway:
Limonene, a terpene that can be found in lemon oil, is an effective detoxifier of the liver.
8. Lemon Oil Has Anti-Cancer Activities
Cancer continues to claim the lives of many people around the world.
When you are diagnosed with this condition, it means that your cells are growing and spreading uncontrollably, invading other healthy tissues and cells.
The good news is:
Certain natural remedies have been found to reduce the risk of this potentially fatal condition.
Using lemon oil for example has been confirmed effective in preventing cancer.
In 2002, scientists from Canada and USA reported that citrus fruits like lemon contain phenols that inhibit the spread of human cancer cell lines [13].
In another study dated 1999 indicated that lemon contained flavonoids that caused death in cancer cells [14].
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil has active compounds that can help reduce the risk of cancer by killing cancer cells and preventing the spread of cancer cell lines.
9. Lemon Oil Relieves Nausea and Vomiting
If you’re feeling nauseous, try to get relief from lemon oil.
It’s a quick way to alleviate nausea, avert vomiting, and feel a lot better.
A study that can be found in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal involved 100 pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness [15].
The participants were randomized to receive either lemon oil or a placebo, and were instructed to inhale the oil the moment they felt nauseous [15].
After 24 hours, it was observed that those who inhaled lemon oil had less intense nausea, vomiting and retching compared to those who were given a placebo [15].
If nausea and vomiting persist, consult your doctor as these may signal the presence of an underlying medical condition.
Key Takeaway:
Nausea and vomiting can be relieved with lemon oil.
10. Lemon Oil Can Tone Down High Cholesterol
Some people don’t realize how important it is to maintain proper levels of cholesterol.
It’s about time that everyone learns that high cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious ailments that can put one’s life at risk.
Natural solutions like lemon oil have been found to lower cholesterol levels.
This was the conclusion in a study that was published in the 2006 issue of the Journal of Food Science [16].
Findings reveal that the flavonoid eriocitrin, which can be found in lemon, can efficiently lower cholesterol in mice subjects that were fed with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet [16].
Key Takeaway:
Lower cholesterol levels by using lemon oil to ward off serious ailments like heart disease and stroke.
It’s true that there are many benefits that can be obtained from lemon oil.
However, as with any other essential oil, it’s imperative to take proper precaution when using it as remedy.
Keep in mind that although lemon oil is derived from the lemon fruit, applying this substance to your skin and then being exposed to the sun can cause phototoxicity, causing deeper and more severe sunburns.
Be careful when applying lemon oil, and when in doubt, consult a doctor before adding it to your health regimen.