March 26, 2023
Ways to use Lemon Essential Oil + DIY Cleansing Oil Recipe
Essential oils are consistently included in my formulations for two main reasons: first, they provide scent naturally (without synthetic chemicals), and second, they can have a significant effect on our emotions, hormones, cognition, and potentially all other systems of the body.
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Before we get into the many ways essential oils can improve our health or skin, let's define what they are. Essential oils are a concentration of molecules that contain the essence, aroma, and therapeutic substance of a particular plant. Essential oils are both inhaled and absorbed slowly through the skin into the bloodstream. The therapeutic qualities vary of course, some may calm muscle spasms while others help our bodies fight infection. Generally though, because they are composed of natural substances created by our Earth, they often have healing, calming, and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
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The benefits don't stop there. Science has shown us that inhalation is the fastest route of absorption. When you inhale essential oils, they not only enter the bloodstream quickly and have a physiological effect, but they also interact with olfactory receptors in the nasal passages that immediately activates the limbic system of the brain, where memory and emotions are stored. This is why certain smells will activate distant memories at times. The beautiful aroma from essential oils usually has an immediate relaxation effect on the nervous system as well. The nervous system is the most ideal system to stimulate/calm in order to control and balance other systems in the body, and this is because it is easily affected by sensory input from the outside world.
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To illustrate the benefits of essential oils, let's look at one that is commonly found in the home and easily found in any health food store.....
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Lemon Essential Oil!
Lemon essential oil (Citrus limon)
Aromatic qualities: Lemon essential oil smells bright, fresh, sweet, zesty and citrusy.
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Cognitive and Emotional qualities: Inhaling lemon essential oil lights up the feel good emotional centers in our brain and helps us feel more calm. It is a fundamental scent that we learn as children so it tends to bring comfort and joy as soon as we smell it in the air.
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Energetic qualities: Lemon essential oil has an uplifting and expanding energy to it. It makes us feel higher and lighter. Because it is a top note, it is one of the first scents recognized when smelling a cream or blend that uses its fragrance.
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Calming qualities: Lemon essential oil is a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic for the body and skin. It can help wounds heal faster and acts as an antioxidant for the skin. Due to its antiseptic qualities, it reduces infections and inflammation in the body and on the skin.
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Immune Boosting qualities: Lemon essential oil contains a compound called d-limonene, which is naturally antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiviral. Some studies show that lemon essential oil stimulates the production of white blood cells helping the immune system fight off infections.
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Lemon essential oil is part of a class of essential oils known as monoterpenes. Most monoterpenes deodorize and clean the air naturally. So this is a great oil to have diffusing in your home.
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Cleansing with Lemon essential oil in the home:
Lemon essential oil is great for cleaning surfaces, whether it's a countertop or your skin! A great at-home cleaning spray includes 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup white vinegar and about 40 drops of lemon essential oil. Spray on all surfaces to kill germs and make your counters shine!
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A great way to remove sticker residue from food cans is to massage lemon essential oil directly into it with a towel or napkin. It will magically disappear in no time! Lemon essential oil is the BEST essential oil to use for a job like this.
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How to make your own Cleansing Oil:
If you need to make a cleansing oil for the skin, mix 1 oz of your favorite carrier oil with 5-6 drops of lemon essential oil; the carrier oil will emulsify dirt and makeup while the lemon essential oil will go to work on cleaning out the pores, disinfecting the skin and brightening the complexion. After a few minutes of massaging that into the skin, wipe the skin clean with a damp, hot washcloth. You can follow this step with a second cleanse (your regular cleanser) afterwards if you like but the cleansing oil is a great first step to pre-condition the skin for a deeper clean!
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Check out some of the products I use lemon essential oil in!
Cleansing Beauty Oil
C weed Omega Oil
Photos 1 Cleansing System Bundle,
2 Omega Bundle, 3 Lipid Barrier Repair
@beautyshamans
1 comment
It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients, including lemon essential oil, can create such an effective product. Thank you for sharing these fantastic ways to use lemon essential oil.
VINEVIDA
August 30, 2023
