The lemon plant gives us many benefits. The stem, its leaves, the fruit from its juice to the shell. One of its products is the oil extracted from the rind of the fruit.
Its medicinal properties remain intact and are used to the maximum, since the procedure for obtaining its oil is cold. It is a product widely used in aromatherapy.
In the following article, we give you information about this great oil, so that you know its powerful benefits and the ways in which you can use it.
What is lemon essential oil?
To get into context, we will first talk about the lemon plant (citrus limon) . Its origin is unknown, but it is assumed that the history of the lemon begins in Assam, a region located in the northeast of India.
In fact, the word lemon appears around the years 1350–1400 and comes from the Arabic “laymūn” , a variant of the Persian “līmūn” .
Pure lemon essential oil is extracted from the rind of the lemon fruit, a product obtained by steam distillation or centrifugation, from the emulsion obtained by squeezing the fruit or rind of fresh lemon.
The one obtained by distillation is colorless or slightly yellowish and the centrifuged essential oil varies from light yellow to dark green, colors that become more accentuated over time.
Thanks to its high content of Vitamin C, it strengthens the defenses and the immune system, it has great antibacterial and antiviral power. In addition, lemon essential oil, unlike other essential oils, is cold extracted, keeping its qualities intact.
Lemon essential oil properties
The properties of this great product come from its nutrient content of the lemon rind, which is where its essential oil is obtained. We describe them below:
vitamins
It is a source of vitamin A, which is required for many vital bodily functions, such as antioxidant, skin health, bone metabolism, embryonic development, vision, and gene transcription and reproduction.
We also find large amounts of vitamin C. It is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It contributes to the formation of an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Contributes to the healing of wounds and the formation of scar tissue.
It also contains vitamin B9 or folic acid, also known as folate. It is a vital component for normal development, growth, reproduction and function of cells. In cell division, it plays a crucial role.
minerals
The human body needs two types of minerals: macrominerals and microminerals. The main macrominerals are sodium, potassium , calcium or magnesium . Trace minerals are made of iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc , cobalt, fluorine, and selenium.
Regarding its calcium content, this mineral is not only known for hardening bones, teeth and the heart, it is considered very important in human metabolism, forming about 2% of the weight of an adult human.
Lemon peel contains 6 mg of sodium per 100 grams of lemon peel. On the other hand, the potassium content has a role both at the cellular and electrical levels.
Magnesium is another mineral that is a component of lemon peel. It has shown its impact on energy production, on the regulation of the immune system and muscle function and also helps in the production of protein and the regulation of glucose levels.
Similarly, the phosphorus content has a good relationship with the production of calcium in the bones and teeth, providing hardness. Your body needs the right amount of both for strength.
In addition to these components, lemon essential oil contains chemical components such as a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-terpinene, linalool, b-bisabolene, limonene, trans-a-bergamotene, nerol and neral. .
Antioxidants
Three types of flavonoids are present in citrus: glycosidic flavanones, polymethoxylated flavones, and flavonoids, with peels being an important source of these compounds.
The major flavonoid in lemon peel is hesperidin , which has antioxidant properties and strengthens veins, arteries, and capillaries.
A study entitled “Antioxidant properties of essential oils of lemon, grapefruit, coriander, clove and their mixtures” , indicates the antioxidant properties of this essential oil.
Said study also talks about that “the essential oil of lemon peel showed considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties both in vitro and in barley soup as a food model.”
antibacterial
Lemon peel has bactericidal activity, thanks to hesperidin and naringin , which is capable of inhibiting the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, mainly on Escherichia coli, being devoid of side effects for health.
In a study entitled “Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of citrus essences on Saccharomyces cerevisiae” , their results indicate this.
benefits of lemon essential oil
The benefits that this product presents us are innumerable. Here we mention some of its most important contributions to human health:
Fights respiratory system conditions
The appearance of respiratory infections, usually originate from the attack of viruses and bacteria that manage to proliferate in the system. This indicates that the immune system is weak and, therefore, the defense mechanisms of the immune system are not activated.
The high content of vitamin C and flavonoids in lemon essential oil activate the antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thus helping to stimulate the immune system and help fight respiratory conditions.
Promotes good digestion
This oil stimulates the flow of saliva and gastric juices, promoting good digestion, as well as stimulating bile secretions, helping to eliminate fats and neutralize toxins, reinforcing the protective function of the liver. It also favors the circulation of water in the colon, facilitating the expulsion of feces.
Helps detoxify the body
Stimulates detoxification through the blood and liver, lemon essential oil cleanses our body and protects it from pathogens. Also, by stimulating lymphatic drainage, it helps cleanse the body of waste and toxins. This also has a rejuvenating effect.
Stimulates lymphatic drainage
Lemon essential oil stimulates lymphatic drainage, reducing the accumulation of liquids, which can cause coughing. Helps the lymphatic system to protect it from pathogens and reduce swollen glands.
Eliminates nausea and dizziness
Lemon essential oil is a natural remedy used in aromatherapy for nausea, especially during periods of pregnancy.
Combat skin conditions
Thanks to its chemical components, it reduces acne, hydrates and recovers the skin, heals skin damaged by free radicals and can even remove blemishes.
Contributes to oral health
Lemon essential oil has a whitening action on the teeth, by dissolving dental plaque and preventing the formation of tartar. In the same way, it cleans the gums and maintains fresh breath, as well as the necessary acidity in the oral cavity for a good balance of the bacterial flora.
Delays skin aging
As a cell regenerator, it promotes healing and is used to reduce scars caused by acne and skin blemishes. It also mitigates inflammation in skin conditions.
This essential oil is high in vitamin C and flavonoids, which in combination make it a powerful antioxidant that prevents premature aging of the skin and hair.
Control hair oil
Lemon essential oil has astringent properties, eliminating all kinds of dirt, oily skin, dandruff from the scalp and, above all, oil from the hair. It also prevents hair loss by stimulating its growth.
Cleans and protects against microbes and fungi
Lemon essential oil works as a natural antimicrobial agent due to two dominant compounds found in the oil, limonene and b-pinene. This makes lemon essential oil a powerful cleaning and protective tool in the food industry.
Research shows that lemon oil can be used to help protect our nutritional system. The preservative effects of lemon oil have been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria in ground beef.
Additionally, lemon essential oil limited the growth of listeria monocytogenes , suggesting that it plays a role in preventing contamination in our food sources.
Promotes relaxation and well-being
Aromatherapy as an alternative treatment, uses essential oils or aromatic liquids from plants, barks, herbs and others, used on the skin, inhaled, ingested or added to the bath, promoting the physical and psychological well-being of the individual, mitigating mental fatigue. and stress, stimulating concentration.
Aromatizes and purifies spaces
An important contribution of this oil is its purifying property, which makes it the perfect component for homemade cleaning agents against dirt and grime. Lemon essential oil is ideal for cleaning surfaces.
Aromatically when diffused, lemon creates an uplifting environment and promotes a positive mood.
How to use lemon essential oil?
Here are the most common ways lemon essential oil is used, of course, based on what you want to treat:
by consumption
According to our needs, it can be consumed as an infusion, dissolved in water, combined with other products such as honey, ginger, among others, using only a few drops.
by inhalation
Inhaling essential oils activates the hypothalamus , the area of the brain that sends messages to other parts of the body. A simple inhalation of a scent can cause many changes in the body.
One of the inhalation methods consists of mixing a few drops of lemon essential oil in a container with hot water.
To do this, you must bring your face close to the container and cover your head with a towel to concentrate the aromatic vapors. Like personal inhalers and diffusers for therapeutic use, this method is very effective in achieving immediate absorption of the essential oil.
topic
The characteristic of this route is that the effect is fundamentally sought at the local level. Topical application consists of placing lemon essential oil on the surface of the body, such as the skin or mucous membranes, to treat, for example, conditions such as acne, hair oil, spots or stretch marks, among others.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.