Lemon Essential Oil Benefits

There’s something about the bright, energizing scent of lemon. Whether it’s in aromatherapy or cleaning products, lemon essential oil is synonymous with a sense of clean. It also has mood-boosting effects, making it an all-around favorite option for all things scented.

We’re not just talking about that nostalgic lemon Pledge scent; there’s actually a lot of science behind lemon essential oil benefits for:

• Pain relief

• Digestion

• Energy

• Mood

• Stress relief

• Skin care

So let’s get to the good stuff: discussing how these lemon essential oil benefits can translate into your everyday life!

Ready to add a little zest to your self-care regimen? Here are a few potential lemon essential oil benefits for health:

Pain Management
When used in aromatherapy, i.e. a diffuser, it’s been suggested that lemon essential oil can be used to help with pain by working as a natural analgesic.

While research is still limited on the ways in which lemon essential oil works on the senses, one 2014 study showed that lemon essential oil can change the way in which our brains respond to painful stimuli.

Digestive Aid
If you’ve ever used lemon water or tea with lemon to soothe an upset stomach, that’s thanks to the science behind it.

With its high concentration of antioxidants, one of the lemon essential oil benefits is that it may help ease digestion by way of reducing inflammation. Through this interaction, it is believed that lemon essential oil may help promote smoother digestion while easing constipation.

For pregnancy, research has also shown that lemon essential oil may ease symptoms of morning sickness. In one clinical trial, it was found that inhaling essential oil significantly reduced nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

Another clinical study found that using lemon essential oil in aromatherapy massages helped ease constipation. While we can’t just go out and get massages all the time, it’s completely possible to give yourself a mini massage. With 3-5 drops of lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, try giving yourself a light abdominal massage to stimulate sluggish digestion. For pregnant women, consult your doctor before performing abdominal massage.

Energy Boost
Has the smell of lemon ever left you feeling a little more alert and awake? Lemon is known to have an invigorating, uplifting effect, and this is no coincidence. In fact, this benefit is on an atomic level.

All essential oils are made up of compounds known as terpenes, and while they’re responsible for giving essential oils their unique aroma profiles, they’re also known to have different effects on the body. And in the case of lemon essential oil, the terpenes limonene and β pinene are both known to uplift and gently stimulate the senses.

As if invigorating the senses wasn’t enough, it’s also been suggested that lemon essential oil can relieve stress. And while research is still limited, scientists have theorized that terpenes in lemon essential oil help stimulate the production of dopamine and serotonin, keeping feelings of anxiety at bay.

If you’re looking to calm down without feeling sleepy, consider filling your living space with lemon essential oil. The use of a diffuser is one of the easiest ways, as it can effectively disperse the aroma throughout the air. If you love the scent of lemon, you’ll also love our Citrus Grove Soy Wax Candle. It features a refreshing blend of lemon, grapefruit, and tangerine oils and offers up to 45 hours of burn time.

If you’re looking for lemon essential oil benefits beyond a diffuser or candle, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy. Lemon-scented laundry sachets can keep your clothes smelling fresh and uplifting without irritating your skin.

Our absolute favorite way to de-stress is with aromatherapy towels for whenever you need a moment alone. To do this, take a clean washcloth or tea towel and soak it in fresh, cool water before wringing out. Add the towel and a few drops of lemon essential oil to a glass or metal bowl, and store in the fridge. Keep it for whenever your psyche and your skin needs a little pick-me-up.

Yet another one of the lemon essential oil benefits is that it possesses astringent and antimicrobial properties, making it especially helpful for acne-prone skin. This is because when combined, these properties may help bring down inflammation associated with P. acnes, AKA the bacteria that causes acne.

Lemon essential oil’s antibacterial properties also make it the perfect ingredient for our non-sticky Hand & Surface Cleansing Spray. Also made with 70% ethyl alcohol, this powerfully effective cleaner for both hands and non-porous surfaces is dye-free, fragrance-free, and follows the standards of the CDC for proper sanitation.

Lemon essential oil’s astringent properties may also help unclog pores of excess sebum. Lemon essential oil is also lightly exfoliating, meaning it can help to gradually slough away acne scar tissue while brightening the skin. The perfect way to enjoy these benefits is with our Charcoal Clay Cleanser. It combines the brightening power of lemon with pore-minimizing activated charcoal and skin-purging clay to deeply purify the skin.

While lemon essential oil benefits the skin for many people, keep in mind that it can be irritating for some individuals. Remember these important rules for using lemon on skin. Plus, make sure to try a patch test beforehand, checking for any redness, peeling, or irritation over the course of 24 hours. Also keep in mind that lemon can make the skin photosensitive, so don’t forget your SPF if you’re using it in your skin care routine!