This iconically bright yellow citrus fruit is one of the most versatile (and functional) foods. From lemon meringue pie to lemon-scented cleaning products, it’s hard to imagine life without it. Plus, how dull would life be without lemon water and lemonade? I mean, can you imagine summer without them? I can’t. To see how the oh-so-iconic lemon oil fares when put to the test, we sought out scientific research to back up its presumed effects. As it turns out, there are quite a few ways you can incorporate this essential oil into your life—so many, in fact, that the saying really should be “When life gives you lemons, use them for everything.” “The major constituent of the volatile oil (or ’essential oil’) of citrus peels is the terpene limonene,” explains Rachelle Robinett, R.H. (AHG), registered herbalist, holistic health practitioner, and founder of Pharmakon Supernatural. Terpenes are the phytonutrient compounds in plants responsible for their unique scent and flavor. Limonene is a specific type of terpene also found in other key botanicals (e.g., hemp, rosemary, chamomile, ginger, turmeric, juniper, and peppermint) that has anti-inflammatory properties and mood-boosting effects.* According to Robinett, limonene’s citrus fragrance (which is delivered to us as essential oils) has been shown to support immune function, regulate hormone levels to help balance the endocrine system, and even support a healthy mood. Let’s take a look at how limonene and other components of this bright citrus can benefit your body. Add a few drops of lemon oil to a diffuser to perhaps brighten your mood or increase your alertness. She suggests using it in the morning for a little emotional lift, or midday when attention tends to dip. It’s also a great ally during winter when you may notice your mood plummet. Zolfaghari says that the energizing aroma will not only prompt an uplifting energy to your space but also help cleanse and purify the air since lemon oil has antibacterial properties. Have lemon oil that you want to incorporate into your skin care routine? Zolfaghari suggests adding a drop to your evening moisturizer to help give your skin a natural glow. “Just be sure your skin is not sensitive following sun exposure, and do not combine with any retinols,” she notes. For an at-home spa night, make a lemon body scrub to stimulate lymphatic drainage. “Add 10 drops of lemon oil and a tablespoon of jojoba oil into an ounce of Himalayan salt. Use it all over in the shower, giving particular attention to areas that might benefit from its anti-inflammatory actions,” Leigh Winters, M.A., M.S., previously wrote for mbg. Lemon oil is also used in certain supplements, including some premium fish oils (like mbg’s omega-3 potency+, which uses organic lemon oil and rosemary to combat fishy burps and confer freshness).* In certain supplements, lemon oil may be leveraged in milligram quantities (e.g., around 100 to 200 milligrams), like in omega-3 potency+, to produce a fresher, lemony aftertaste experience. What’s more, the organic lemon oil provides this formula and consumer with incremental antioxidant benefits (i.e., in addition to the leading omega-3 ingredients EPA and DHA) intrinsic to lemon oil.* For other uses of lemon oil, the dosage depends on the use. For example, to enjoy the aromatherapy benefits, try adding just three to four drops to your diffuser and set it to diffuse for around 30 minutes. The key thing about the amount of time you use it is to keep your sensitivity to the scent up and prevent becoming nose-blind to it, which might affect some of the olfactory benefits. Additionally, when using it on your skin, add lemon oil to a carrier oil to dilute it. Since genuine food allergens are most commonly related to the protein component of a food, and lemon oil is, well, oil (fatty component), the potential for reactions is lessened even further. But anyone with citrus-specific concerns should partner with their health care provider to be sure. When it comes to topical application, it’s important to test any new product on a small patch of skin to ensure your skin reacts well (many people are sensitive to topical essential oils). Additionally, lemon oil does make the skin more sensitive to the sun, and therefore it’s recommended that you use it on your skin at night. Its wide range of uses can adapt to your lifestyle needs, so much so that lemon may just become your new wellness and lifestyle aesthetic. To be honest, I’m not opposed because you know what? Life gave us lemons, so we’re going to use them.
