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Lemon essential oil (Citrus limonum) is a very pleasant and clean smelling essential oil. It is pale greenish-yellow in color and watery in consistency. While lemon trees grow up to 20 feet tall and sports highly perfumed flowers, the oil is obtained via cold expression method from the fresh fruit peel. Lemon essential oil is adaptogenic. This means it is one of the very few essential oil types that can adapt to bodily needs and situations.

Lemon essential oil also has many other properties. These include refreshing, antiseptic, stimulating, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatic, astringent, bactericidal, and insecticidal. The most widely known uses of lemon essential oil are its cleansing, refreshing and alerting properties. A lot of employers use this scent to keep their staff alert. It is also no coincidence that many cleaning products come in lemon scents, although of course the chemically duplicated fragrances can not imitate the aroma-therapeutic benefits of the natural essential lemon substances.

* Burners and Vaporizers

Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to water or any type of carrier oil (any salad oil you have on hand should do) and diffuse to ease colds, flu, stress, depression, and fatigue. Its uplifting properties also make it perfect to use in your home office to improve concentration, for clearing the mind, and aid in decision making.

* Blended Massage or Bath Oil

Add 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil (such as jojoba). This makes enough oil for three baths. Use this oil in your bath or as a massage aid if you need help to fight infection, the flu, or to de-stress. This oil also works for rheumatism, depression, and for energizing fatigued mind, body, and spirit.

* Skin Care

Add lemon essential to a lotion base to treat cuts, boils, cellulite, and minor wounds. For facial care you can make a toner using the following recipe: Add 20 drops of lemon essential oil to one ounce of high-proof vodka. Shake well and add three ounces of witch hazel. This toner can be used to treat acne and oily skin.

* Mouthwash

If you suffer from cold sores or ulcers in your mouth, you can make a rinse by adding ten drops of lemon essential oil to one tablespoon of Brandy. Do not swallow, only rinse!

* Cleaning and Refreshing

You can freshen shoes by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of lemon essential oil in them and leaving in overnight. The same concept works for cupboards and drawers. Simply place a few treated cotton balls inconspicuously. You can also place a few drops of lemon essential oil on a wash cloth and tossing into the clothes dryer while drying. Add one drop of lemon essential oil to your final rinse water when washing out your fridge, freezer, or oven to give them a nice, clean scent.

Lemon essential oil can be bought in health food stores or purchased on-line. One good site is http://www.essentialoils.co.za /index.htm, which was used as a reference for some of the information contained above.

Learn more about this author, Alexandra Heep.
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