Essential Oil Spotlight: Lime

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the fruit. Lime oil is distinguished by its sweet, tart, intense, and lively aroma. This oil contains antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, restorative, and tonic health properties.

Historically, lime was used as a remedy for dyspepsia. It was also often used in place of lemon for fevers, infections, sore throats, and colds. This essential oil is known for its powerful effect on the digestive, immune, and respiratory systems.

This oil is commonly used to help with bacterial infections, fever, gum/grease removal, and skin (revitalizing). Other possible uses of lime essential oil include anxiety, blood pressure, dissolving cellulite, improving clarity of thought, energy, gallstones, lymphatic system cleansing, nails (strengthening), nervous conditions, sore throats, water and air purification, and promoting a sense of well-being.

Application of Lime Essential Oil and Safety Data:

Topical Application: Can be applied neat (with no dilution) directly to the area of concern or to reflex points. It makes an excellent addition to bath and shower gels, body lotions, and deodorants.
Aromatic Application: Diffuse, or inhale the aroma directly. Lime essential oil has a lively fragrance that is stimulating and refreshing. The aroma can help you to overcome exhaustion, depression, and listlessness.
Internal Application: Lime oil is recognized as safe for human consumption by the FDA and makes a great flavor addition to food and drinks.
Safety Data: Lime oil is known to cause photosensitivity, so it is advised that you avoid direct sunlight for 12 hours after topical application.

Ways to Use Lime Essential Oil:

1. Diffuse
The sweet yet tart aroma of lime essential oil makes it a nice addition to diffuser blends. You can diffuse it alone, or combine it with some of your other favorite oils. Here are a few diffuser blends we like!

2. Cooking
Lime is common flavor in both sweet and savory dishes. Since this essential oil comes from the peel of the fruit, it serves as a replacement for lime zest. You can substitute 1 tsp. (2 g) zest with 1 drop of lime oil in any recipe. Here are some of our favorite recipes using lime essential oil.

3. Hair Pomade
There are so many great uses of lime essential oil. In this recipe, lime oil adds to the amazing aroma, but it also helps to revitalize your scalp. The best part is that this hair pomade also serves as an amazing lotion for your hands and lips. Click here for the recipe!

4. Flavored Water
The health properties of lime essential oil are incredible and can even help to purify your water. We also can’t forget about how good lime-flavored water tastes, so we’ve made up a few flavored water ideas for you to try out! These make a perfect refreshing drink for summer activities and parties.

5. Bath Salts
Essential oils add a nice touch to a warm, soothing bath. We’ve created a few blends for you to add to your next bath. Just add the blend to 1/2 cup (125 g) epsom salt, stir well, and add under the running tap. Swish your hand through the bathwater to help it disperse properly.

Source:
Modern Essentials: The Complete Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils, 9th Edition, p. 87.