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Lemon oil is one of the most popular essential oils. Distilled from lemon peels, this zesty oil has a pleasing scent and comes with a host of healing benefits. It’s not just for cleaning or deodorizing your home.
You can dilute the oil and apply it to your skin, diffuse it into the air, or inhale its zesty scent, according to Healthline. The benefits range from boosting your mood to healthier skin. Just remember that lemon essential oil works topically and should not be ingested. Here are seven ways that you can tap into the healing properties of this essential oil.
Contains antibacterial properties
Lemon oil contains antibacterial properties and could help prevent infections from harmful bacteria. A 2019 study published in Pathogens tested six essential oils. Lemon essential oil was found to be effective against many types of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Just make sure you dilute the oil and check a small spot to see if you are allergic to it.
Could clear fungal infections
Besides helping to clean bacteria off your skin, lemon oil also has antifungal properties, according to The Greatest. So move over tea tree oil and use lemon oil against fungal conditions like athlete’s foot or toenail fungus. It doesn’t only work topically, diffusing lemon oil in the air of a hospital room can also reduce the concentration of airborne fungi and bacteria.
Helps wounds heal faster
The antimicrobial properties found in lemon oil may also help wounds heal faster. That’s why you should keep some of this essential oil in your first aid kit, according to Healthline. You can clean a small cut or scrape with diluted lemon oil to sanitize the wound, kill off harmful bacteria, and help it heal faster. Just remember to always dilute the essential oil before using topically
Good for Your skin
Lemon essential oil has also been used to reduce acne and abscesses on your skin. That’s because the antibacterial properties can kill the bacteria that causes break-outs. Lemon is also a natural astringent so it can help clear away dead skin cells that can clog your pores.
The antioxidants contained in lemons can also help to brighten your skin and give it a healthy appearance. But using citrus on your skin could cause a sensitivity to the sun so cover up when outdoors.
Helps you de-stress
The uplifting scent of lemon oil is actually calming and can help you feel less stressed and anxious. In fact, a 2006 study on mice found that inhaling lemon oil vapor has a powerful calming and mood improving effect. Lemon oil was even more effective than other essential oils known to be calming including lavender and rose.
Diffusing lemon oil is so effective that it could help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Greatest suggests that inhaling lemon essential oil could also be a natural pain reliever.
Could relieve cold symptoms
If you are experiencing a stuffy head and sore throat from a cold, then lemon oil is a good home remedy, according to Healthline. Set up a diffuser with lemon oil and breathe in the citrusy scent. The relaxing properties of the essential oil can help relax the muscles in your throat. While the vitamin C contained in lemons is lost when the peels are pressed into oil, you can drink a cup of hot lemon water to help you recover from cold symptoms faster.
Helps with nausea
If you are feeling nauseous from being ill or have morning sickness, lemon oil could help with that. A 2014 study of pregnant people found that using lemon oil aromatherapy helped to reduce nausea and vomiting. So skip the ginger ale and dry crackers and diffuse some lemon oil instead.
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