5 Benefits of Lemon Essential Oils & Top Uses

Lemon is the undeniable queen of citrus—and that’s why I’m so excited to talk about the more potent form of lemon—lemon essential oil and it’s benefits in this article. This bright and cheerful oil is one of the most popular oils due to its plethora of versatile uses. If you don’t have this oil on hand, I have no doubt that you’ll have purchased it by the end of this article. But before we dive into the top benefits and uses of lemon essential oil, let’s talk about what makes this oil is so magical. 

Citrus limon (lemon oil’s botanical name) is cold-pressed from the rinds of lemons. Its sweet, sharp, clear, and citrusy scent affects the digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. If you want to create a refreshing blend with lemon oil, consider mixing it with eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, peppermint, geranium, sandalwood, or ylang-ylang. Seriously, any combo of one of those oils and lemon will set your world on fire—it’s that amazing. 

Its potent properties include anticancer, antidepressant, antiseptic, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, astringent, invigorating, refreshing, and tonic. 

Historically, lemon has been used to fight scurvy (duh?), food poisoning, malaria, and typhoid epidemics. It’s also been used to help with liver problems, arthritis, muscle aches and pains, and high blood pressure. 

Now that we know why lemon was so loved back then let’s talk about why we love lemon essential oil today. 

Common Primary Uses 

• Air pollution 
• Anxiety 
• bites/stings 
• Blood pressure regulation 
• Brain injury
• Cold sores
• Common cold 
• Concentration
• Constipation
• Depression
• Digestive support 
• Disinfectant 
• Energizing 
• Fever 
• Flu 
• Furniture polish 
• greasy/oily hair 
• Grief 
• gum/grease removal 
• Hangovers 
• Heartburn
• Kidney Stones 
• Lymphatic cleansing 
• Skincare 
• Postpartum depression 
• Overeating
• Purification
• Stress
• Uplifting
• Varicose veins 

Lemon essential oil can be used aromatically, topically, and internally to foster health and wellness benefits. Want to know how? Keep reading. 

Benefits of Lemon Essential Oil

Air Purification 

Lemon essential oil is known for its purifying properties because of its potent antiviral and antiseptic properties. The beauty of lemon oil is that you can simply add 5-8 drops in a diffuser in your kitchen for not just a fresh and clean smell but also a fresh and clean feel. 

Toxic plug-ins and spray fresheners (yes, Febreze I’m talking to you) put more back into your home. That’s not the clean we want or need. By merely diffusing lemon essential oil, you’re naturally clearing pathogens and airborne toxins effectively. 

Cleaning  

Besides aromatic use for cleaning and purifying, lemon essential oil can also be used topically to clean just about any place or thing in your home. That’s why I call it the Mr. Clean oil. 

Lemon has a bright and beautiful scent, which is why it’s always a key ingredient in my bathroom and kitchen cleaners. I also use it when cleaning countertops, dishes (it gets rid of stuck-on grease), cutting boards (it gets rid of the smell of onions and garlic0, faucets, grout, garbage disposal, laundry, water storage containers, and bottles. 

It’s also perfect at removing sticky residues making it an ideal natural alternative to furniture polish. 

Ways to Use Lemon Essential Oil for Cleaning 

• DIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray 
• Add a drop of lemon essential oil to dishwater or soak casserole dishes that have baked on food 
• Add a drop of lemon oil to the garbage disposal to keep the kitchen smelling fresh 
• Freshen up a funky bathroom by adding a few drops of lemon in the toilet 
• Get rid of sticky residue (like if a child has placed stickers all over your hardwood floors) by using a bit of lemon oil on a cotton pad

Digestion 

A 10-day randomized control study looked at the efficacy of lemon, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils on constipation in the elderly. The study found that those in the aromatherapy group who received an abdominal massage using the oils reported significantly less constipation than those in the control group. They also found that the number of bowel movements was significantly higher than the experimental group. For two weeks post-treatment, those in the experimental group experienced continued natural constipation relief. 

To improve digestion, add 1-2 drops of lemon oil (option to combine with peppermint or rosemary) and massage onto the abdomen. 

Cleanses and Detox

Lemon contains d-limonene, which is known to support metabolism and cleanse the lymphatic system. Because it can stimulate lymphatic drainage, lemon is a great natural tool to help the body naturally cleanse itself of toxins and pathogens. Even more, lemon has protective agents that can help defend against bodily toxins. 

A 2016 animal study found that lemon essential oil reduced oxidative stress and damage to organs in mice with aspirin-induced acute liver and kidney damage. 

If you’ve ever wondered why so many wellness experts recommend drinking warm lemon water in the morning, it’s because of its liver cleansing abilities. 

To use lemon for its cleansing properties, add 1 drop to a veggie capsule with a little fractionated coconut or olive oil and take it in the morning. You can also mix 1-2 drops of lemon oil with raw honey and mix it into warm water for a morning detox. 

Common Cold 

Lemon has powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties that make it one of the best oils to help boost immunity and fight respiratory issues. As we just learned, lemon oil can stimulate lymph, which means that it can reduce the accumulation of phlegm and fluids that result from a cough or cold. 

Lemon oil will help you kick bacteria, lower inflammation, and boost immunity—helping your body fight off the virus faster. 

To help with viral infections, diffuse 5 drops of lemon or inhale directly from the bottle. You can also add 1-2 drops to raw honey and mix into hot water. 

Allergies 

Allergies can be a side effect of too much toxic load on the liver—a key organ for detoxification. When there’s too much of a toxic burden on the liver, it can show up in allergic reactions, including seasonal allergies. 

To keep your detox pathways functioning like a well-oiled machine, add lemon essential oil to your regimen. Lemon will help clear detox pathways, support immunity, and lower inflammation. 

To use lemon oil for allergies, you can diffuse 5 drops of lemon oil or add 1 drop to a veggie capsule with food-grade oil and consume in the morning. 

Skincare 

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a scientific review that found lemon essential oil to be effective against skin issues like insect bites, greasy and oily conditions, cuts, wounds, cellulite, blisters, rosacea, and viral infections on the skin like warts and cold sores. This is all thanks to lemons’ antimicrobial compounds that are beneficial for dermatological conditions naturally. Add a drop or two of lemon onto the area of concern. 

Even more exciting is lemon oil’s ability to reduce acne and nourish, hydrate, and smooth the skin. Because of lemon’s high antioxidant activity and vitamin C content, it is the perfect natural alternative to expensive anti-aging serums and moisturizers. Simply add 1-2 drops of lemon oil to your cleanser and gently massage onto the skin, avoiding eyes. You can also add a drop to your favorite skincare product for extra benefits.