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Lime essential oil (Citrus aurantiifolia) is a citrus oil with
refreshing and uplifting qualities. The oil is available from two production methods:
Cold pressed from the rinds of unripe limes or steam distilled from the whole ripe crushed fruit.
Cold-pressed lime oil is
phototoxic, meaning you need to avoid the sun after using the oil on
your skin. The steam-distilled oil is not phototoxic.
Plant family: Rutaceae
Production: Cold pressed from the rinds of unripe limes or steam distilled from either the whole ripe crushed fruit.
Aroma: Citrusy, sweet, slightly tart.
Perfume/Aromatic note: Top
Is lime safe to use during pregnancy? Generally considered safe. Consult a professional.
Is lime essential oil safe for children? Generally considered safe.
Cautions: Cold-pressed lime oil causes photosensitivity; the steam-distilled essential oil does not. Know what you are buying, and avoid the sun after using the cold-pressed oil. If this essential oil becomes oxidized, it can cause skin sensitization.
Main components:
Distilled Lime
Cold-Pressed Lime
Note: There are several types of limes, and oil composition varies by type.
Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition
Lime has many of the same benefits as lemon essential oil.
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Lime may help relieve digestive problems, loss of appetite, cellulite, sore throat, flu, lethargy, chronic fatigue, and mental exhaustion.
The Fragrant Mind: Lime promotes alertness and assertiveness.
The Aromatherapy Bible: Lime is refreshing and uplifting. It helps relieve fatigue, apathy, and depression.
Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume 2: Psychologically, lime promotes emotional renewal, optimism and clarity, good judgement, insight, and foresight. Physically, the essential oil relaxes hypertonic/tense and cools hot conditions.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the essential function of this oil is to clear heat, clarify the Heart, activate the Qi, and calm the Shen. Suggested blends:
The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Third Edition, Vol. 1 – Foundations & Materia Medica: Lime oil reduces mental fogginess and mental fatigue accompanied by poor concentration. The oil helps those who wake up in the morning feeling low energy and also helps gets rid of negative thinking, pessimism, and depression.
In TCM, lime oil is cooling and drying and recommended to help eliminate, heat, damp, and phlegm. In ayurveda, the oil strengthens Vatta and Pitta and helps reduce Kapha.
Suggested blends:
The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing: Spiritually, lime helps you connect with higher spiritual guides and angels. Mentally, the essential oil brings mental clarity and alertness. Emotionally, the oil helps you feel joy and find inner peace.
Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Lime clears, cleanses, revitalizes, and uplifts. The oil is especially useful for the sixth chakra to promote mental clarity, to uplift and refresh the conscious mind, and to help release unpleasant memories.
Essential Oils Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice: In ayurveda aromatherapy, lime is sour, bitter, astringent, and cooling. The oil does not aggravate normal Pitta but might aggravate elevated Pitta.
In general, lime is a good addition to homemade cleaning products.
Kitchen Sink Scrub
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and stir. Apply all of the mixture to the inside of the sink and scrub. Rinse with warm water.
Caution: Do not store this scrub in a closed container.
Source: 150 Ways to Use Essential Oils from Eden's Garden
All-Purpose Cleaner
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Use this spray cleaner on non-delicate surfaces.
Lime can be useful for dealing with oily hair and skin.
Hair and Scalp Conditioner
Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Massage the blend into your scalp for 3 to 5 minutes. Wash your hair as usual.
Source: Young Living Blog
Body Scrub
Note: Use only distilled lime in this recipe, as cold-pressed lime can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Adapted from Aura Cacia.
Use these blends in your diffuser according to manufacturer instructions.
Energizing Diffuser Blend
Makes one 5-ml stock blend for use in a diffuser.
Add the three essential oils to the glass bottle. Label and store this stock blend in a cool, dark place.
Source: Essential Living
Kid's Fun Diffuser Blend
Source: 10 Recipes with Lime Essential Oil from aromatherapist Suzanne Banks
I recommend Young Living essential oils.
Limes Photo Credit: Merve Sehirli Nasir on Unsplash