The Skinny on Citrus Oils

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Citrus fruits. They taste as amazing as they look and they smell even better! Just removing the peel on a juicy lemon or orange will leave the entire room smelling fresh and happy! But did you know that there is value in that rind that you toss? Citrus essential oils harness the goodness in the rind for you to enjoy drop by drop. Not only can they do amazing things for your body, they can also help cheer you up! Citrus fragrances induce relaxation and invoke feelings of happiness.

Interestingly, citrus oils are not technically essential oils at all. They are expressed oils – pressed from the rind of the fruit and rich in terpene alcohols. So, how do you choose which one to use? What are they used for, besides smelling and tasting amazing? We’ll go over that, as well as some basic usage info here, so you know exactly which citrus oil you want to use and why.

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LEMON – Cold pressed from the rind, lemon has a strong, purifying citrus scent. It contains 68% D-Limonene, which provides antioxidant support! Both energizing and uplifting, it is a great choice for helping improve the mood. It is also thought to improve memory, boost the immune system and cleanse the body. It is used both aromatically and Lemon VItality is used to enhance the flavors of foods and drink.

USAGE SUGGESTIONS:

  • Add a drop of Lemon Vitality to your glass of water
  • Use a few drops of Lemon to remove goo, gum or residue from most surfaces
  • Combine Lemon with water in a spray bottle to make a purifying surface spray
  • Diffuse Lemon to help purify the air and improve the mood while adding a refreshing lemon scent to the room
  • Add a few drops of Lemon to baking soda and place in the refrigerator or trash to eliminate odors
  • Place a few drops of Lemong on a cloth in your laundry as a booster to help remove grease from clothing
  • Make a batch of Lemon Soft Scrub by mixing Lemon with baking soda and a little Thieves Household Cleaner to thoroughly clean surfaces in your home.
  • Add several drops of Lemon to body butter and apply to cracked heals

 

LIME – Lime essential oil has an invigorating and stimulating effect and one of the strongest fragrances of all the citrus oils. It is well known for stimulating the immune system and supporting healthy skin. When taken internally, it can provide antioxidant support and may help aide in weight management.

USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Add a drop of Lime Vitality to your glass of water to add amazing flavor
  • Add a few drops of Lime Vitality to your salsa & guacamole for an amazing boost in flavor
  • Diffuse or apply Lime diluted to the chest in a salve to support the respiratory system
  • Combine a drop or two of Lime Vitality with olive oil to make a delicious marinade
  • Substitute Lime Vitality oil for lemon in recipes for a change of flavor
  • Apply Lemon to your skin to improve complexion and shrink pores

 

ORANGE – Orange essential oil has a rich, fruity smell that lifts the spirits, calms the body, and brings peace and happiness to the mind. With a flavor as delicious as it’s aroma, Orange Vitality makes a great addition to foods and drinks. Similar to lemon, orange is rich in d-limonene. Orange encourages emotional balance and improves skin.

USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Add a drop of Orange Vitality to your glass of water for amazing flavor
  • Add a drop of Orange Vitality to your orange juice or smoothie to enhance the flavor
  • Diffuse Orange to uplift your mood
  • Use one drop each of Orange Vitality, Lemon Vitality, Peppermint Vitality, and Frankincense Vitality in a spoonful of honey. We call this Spoonful of Wellness.
  • Add some Orange Vitality to your favorite vanilla dessert.
  • Add 1 drop each of Orange Vitality and Thieves Vitality to warm water for a delicious, immune boosting tea
  • Add 10-20 drops of Orange to a spray base for happy home cleaning!

 

GRAPEFRUIT – Grapefruit has a fresh, citrus aroma that is energizing and uplifting. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it is nourishing for the skin. Grapefruit Vitality is wonderful used to enhance the flavor of foods and drinks, and is often used to support weight loss.

 USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Add a drop of Grapfruit Vitality to water to support healthy and gentle detoxification
  • Take 3-5 drops of Grapefruit Vitality in a capsule to help kick food cravings and maintain a healthy metabolism
  • Add several drops of Grapefruit to body butter and apply to areas of cellulite to promote smooth skin
  • Diffuse Orange to encourage a good mood and positive outlook

 

TANGERINE – Tangerine is a calming essential oil with a sweet, tangy aroma, similar to orange. Like grapefruit, tangerine is rich in d-limonene and nourishes the skin. An excellent oil to help uplift the spirit, it helps calm and bring about a sense of security, while minimizing occasional feelings of nervous irritability. Tangerine Vitality is often used to enhance the flavor of foods and drinks.

 USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Add a drop of Tangerine Vitality to water to encourage healthy weight management
  • Diffuse Tangerine next to the bed to promote a restful night of sleep
  • Apply Tangerine diluted to the feet and chest to combat feelings of irritability
  • Take a few drops of Tangerine Vitality in a capsule to support proper digestion
  • Make a summer linen spray of 10 drops Tangerine & 10 drops Lemon Myrtle in a spray base

 

JADE LEMON – Jade lemon has a stronger and richer aroma than regular lemons. Unlike regular lemons, jade lemons remain green even when they have reached full maturity and their oil is only released when the fruit is picked. Rich in the antioxidant d-limonene, jade lemon helps invigorate, uplift, and energize, as well as support clarity of thought and purpose. This oil supports healthy skin, may help open and release emotional blocks, and is used to clean, detox, and purify.

 USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Drink Jade Lemon Vitality in water first thing in the morning to wake up happy
  • Diffuse Jade Lemon for an uplifting and powerful aroma
  • Add 15 drops of Jade Lemon to a healing salve base and apply around fingernails to encourage soft, healthy cuticles
  • Add several drops of Jade Lemon to playdough for a mood-boosting sensory activity for kids

 

BERGAMOT – Bergamot has a fresh, sweet, citrus scent. Many recognize Bergamot Vitality as the main flavor in Earl Grey Tea. Uplifting and relaxing, it is good for building confidence and enhancing your mood. It is especially useful for oily and troubled skin.

 USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Apply Bergamot to your wrists and heart as perfume to uplift the spirits
  • Add Bergamot to the silky lotion base and apply to your body at night for happy skin
  • Add 4 drops each Bergamot and Tea Tree to 1 cup of dead sea salt for a purifying bath soak
  • Add Bergamot to body butter and apply to face at night when dealing with breakouts
  • Make an Earl Gray Tea by dropping 1 drop of Bergamot Vitality into warm water and adding honey to taste

 

CITRUS FRESH – Citrus Fresh is a blend of orange, tangerine, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon and spearmint. With it’s fresh, citrusy aroma, it calms the body, uplifts the spirits and awakens the mind. It may bring about a sense of well-being, creativity and feelings of joy.

 USAGE SUGGESTIONS

  • Diffuse Citrus Fresh to help purify the air in your home
  • Drink Citrus Fresh VItality in water to energize and support body’s ability to detox
  • Add 15-20 drops Citrus Fresh to a spray base for a lovely room spray

CITRUS OIL USAGE

CITRUS OIL PRECAUTIONS – Citrus oils are Photosensitizing. This means that their natural constituents (particularly furanocoumarins) react when they are exposed to the sun’s rays. This can cause blistering, redness and burning of the skin. Luckily, it’s easy to avoid this. Simply apply citrus oils on skin that will *not* be exposed to direct sunlight, or apply at night to allow at least 12 hours before sun exposure! Citrus oils are different than regular essential oils, in that they are not merely the essence of the plant, but contain proteins from the plant. If you have a citrus allergy, you will also likely be allergic to the expeller-pressed citrus oils and any citrus oils should be used with caution. 

CREATING BLENDS WITH CITRUS OILS – Citrus oils are a favorite for diffusing and using in linen sprays because of their uplifting and purifying properties. A good blend contains top notes, middle notes and base notes. Your citrus oils are your top notes, so try pairing them with oils from the other two categories for a nice, full-bodied aroma-therapeutic experience. Some middle notes are cardamom, cypress, geranium, lavender, nutmeg and rosemary. Some low notes are cinnamon, clove, frankincense, ginger, jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, valerian, vetiver and ylang ylang.

SLOW AND STEADY – Lemon in a glass of water is a great starting point for using citrus oils. Be sure to start off slowly using any of the citrus oils internally. They are known for supporting detoxification within the body and detoxing quickly can cause some uncomfortable side effects, such as itching or redness of the skin, as well as head or body aches. Just take it slow, use one drop a day, then slowly increase to using more than that. This will give your body time to slowly start detoxing without all the side effects.

LearnKimberly Laird