NAMELemon
LATIN NAMECitrus Limonum
ORIGINIndia, South West America, South and Central America, West Indies, Mediterranean, Asia.
PARTS USEDFresh fruit peel , whole
TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIESDried lemon peel has culinary, confectionery, medicinal and cosmetic applications. The British Pharmacopoeia lists Lemon Peel as an aromatic for use as an aroma and flavor enhancer. The lemon has been cultivated for about two thousand years. Lemon has become the most popular citrus fruit in the world and is cultivated in warmer climates across the globe. Though most people peel the Lemon and eat only the fruit, the Lemon Peel, is a medicinal rich part of the fruit.
Lemon peel has an immune-enhancing action, and is high in vitamin C, so is a useful aid in fighting winter coughs and colds. It is also calming to the stomach and settles flatulence, as a stomach tonic.
The bright beautiful colour and smell are uplifting and aid the lifting of low energy or depression.
Lemon is actually strengthening to the blood vessels and can relieve the discomfort of varicose veins, as well as gently stimulate the circulation.
In Africa, Lemon Peel is used to treat colic, and in India, Lemon Peel is used to treat upset stomach. Lemon is used in Ayurvedic medicine to tonify the liver.. New studies on a monoterpene found in Lemon Peel called "limonene" show that it very effectively prevents individuals from developing abnormal growths on their skin.
This is a safe herb for children, and it tastes very good.
Lemon Essential OilLemon is good for clearing the mind, lifting exhaustion, recovering from a virus, healing the skin, detoxifying the body and invigorating the spirit.
This fruit is immensely popular for its therapeutic uses. The essential oil of lemon is seen as a cure all, it is anti-septic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial whilst the juice of a lemon is a great support to the body. Lemon is stimulating, cleansing and tonifying to all the bodily systems.
Lemon essential oil is thought to stimulate the immune system, helping the producting of the bug fighting blood cells, it is excellent for throat infections, coughs and flu, particually in the case of mild infections.
Lemon is known to be good for the skin, the essential oil can treat warts and veruccas, as well as mouth ulcers and herpes (coldsores). It is also an astringent and rebalance an oily complexion.
Its indicated for use in digestive problems such as stomach bugs and bacterial infections.
Lemon essential oil also has an uplifting effect on the mood, its wonderful aroma brings the feeling of wellbeing and sunlight. Lemon can lift dark moods and bring back zest for life, it can also help the process of concentration and thinking clearly.
It is also good for the muscular skeletal system, as it is known to have a positive effect on arthritic joints.
FOLKLORE AND HISTORYUse of the lemon was recorded in Greece by 300 BC. By 20 BC cultivators were noted in Italy, and evidence of it has been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii! Lemon was the first citrus fruit known in the Mediterranean region.
It was specifically describe in a 10th-century Arabic treatise on farming. The medicinal virtues of the lemon were documented in North Africa by the 12th century, and seeds were brought to the Caribbean and Florida by the Spanish before 1500 AD. It was cultivated in California beginning in 1750. By 1870, to supply growing demand in the United States and avoid their importation from Sicily, Floridians revived commercial cultivation of the lemon
Uses: Peel is used in culinary, confectionery, medicinal and cosmetic preparations.
It provides a refreshing, lemony flavor and health benefits when used in beverages, in tea blends and herbal blends for infusion.
Soak the lemon peel over night in cold water, then it can be added to grains and rice after cooking, it can be added to fruit salads, yogurt, smoothies, breads and cakes.
Mix with aromatic herbs for potpourris, bath blends and bath scrubs, and used for household applications of cleaning, polishing and air-freshening
Lemon essential oil is good in a bath for relieving exhaustion, boosting the immunity and healing the skin. Lemon can be vapourised to uplift the atmosphere and promte clear thinking. The oil can be added to a carrier of oil or cream and used on the skin. See
How to use Essential OilsESSENTIAL OIL NOTETop note
BLENDS WELL WITHLemon blends well with other citrus oils such as Bergamot and Grapefruit, Tea tree, Lavender, Benzoin, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Geranium, Juniper berry, Eucalyptus and Fennel.
Anti-septic Blend: Tea tree and Lemon
Lemon blends with many other oils, and when combined with other oils it has a synergising effect. This means it strengthens, empowers and brings out the qualities of the other oils, making the blend greater than a sum of its parts.
AROMAFloral, citrus, refreshing, and zestful.
FOLKLORE AND HISTORYUse of the lemon was recorded in Greece by 300 BC. By 20 BC cultivators were noted in Italy, and evidence of it has been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii! Lemon was the first citrus fruit known in the Mediterranean region.
It was specifically describe in a 10th-century Arabic treatise on farming. The medicinal virtues of the lemon were documented in North Africa by the 12th century, and seeds were brought to the Caribbean and Florida by the Spanish before 1500 AD. It was cultivated in California beginning in 1750. By 1870, to supply growing demand in the United States and avoid their importation from Sicily, Floridians revived commercial cultivation of the lemon.
Lemon has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for many years. Lemon made its way into Europe via the Arabic world.
CONSTITUENTSTerpenes as Limonene, a-pinene, b-pinene, y-terpinene, camphene, phellandrene, p-cymene, sabinene,myrcene,aldehydes as citral, citronellal, nonanol,octanol, decanal, sesquiterpenes as b-bisobolene, a-bergamotene, alcohols as linalool, geranoil, octanol, nonanol, a-terpineol, lactones, coumarins as bergaptene, bergamotttin, esters as neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, terpinyl acetate.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGEUse 6-8 drops of essential oil in a bath and 2-4 drops in an oil burner. Use 10 -18 drops of essential oil per 30ml of carrier oil or cream. See
Essential Oil Dosage ChartMaking a tea or infusion:
1 - 2 tsp of lemon peel in 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 10 - 15 minutes, then strain and serve.
PRECAUTIONSNone known. Can be used in safely in pregnancy. Avoid use with sensitive skin.
