Lime
Citrus X Aurantiifolia
Lime Oil is a citrus oil that is tangy, cooling and popular in aromatherapy. Promoting a sense of alertness and clarity, it can be used topically when struggling with a cold, and is also popular to add to DIY cleaning products, polishes and home accessories such as candles and diffusers.
History of Lime Oil
Our Lime Essential Oil is derived from the fruit peel of Citrus x aurantiifolia, commonly known as lime, Mexican lime, and Key lime. Key lime is a small evergreen tree that grows up to 5 metres tall and has dense and irregular branches, small, dark green leaves, and yellowish-white flowers. Its fruit is thin-skinned, juicy, fragrant, and very acidic. This Citrus species is native to Southeast Asia.
The history of limes is quite rich and intriguing. It’s believed that limes were introduced to Egypt and Northern Africa around the 10th century. Three centuries later, they were introduced to Spain and spread from there throughout the rest of Europe. Spanish explorers brought limes to the West Indies as well as the Florida Keys, where they were (and still are) used as a main ingredient in the famous Key lime pie, hence the name Key limes. Lime cultivation spread to tropical and subtropical North America, including Mexico and California. In the 19th century, British sailors used this fruit to prevent scurvy due to its high vitamin C content.
Today, the Key lime fruit is eaten raw or cooked. It’s used as a flavouring and made into juices, jams, marmalades, and jellies. It’s also used as a natural remedy for snakebites, wounds, and dandruff. The essential oil obtained from the peel of Key limes is a popular ingredient in perfumes and soaps.
Why should I give Lime Oil a try?
Lime Oil isn’t just another citrus essential oil. Although it’s often overshadowed by Lemon Oil, Lime Oil deserves to be considered because it has so much to offer. Firstly, Lime Oil boasts a fresh, citrusy, sweet, and slightly tart aroma. When diffused or inhaled, Lime Oil has an energising and uplifting effect. This affordable and incredibly versatile essential oil is a great choice when struggling with stress, anxiety, and indecision.
Lime Oil can also help heal minor wounds, prevent bacterial infections, ward off seasonal threats, support healthy respiratory function, ease muscle and joint pain, clear up acne and limit future breakouts, fight dandruff, and reduce signs of aging by combating free radicals that damage cells.
Lime Oil can be used to repel bugs, treat cold sores (diluted with a quality carrier oil, of course), and deodorise rooms. Thanks to its potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties, it can be used in household cleaning products as well.
Extracting Lime Oil
Our Lime Essential Oil is extracted from the peel of the Key lime fruit (botanical name of the plant: Citrus x aurantiifolia) using a cold-pressing process.
The cold-pressing method of extraction, also known as expression and mechanical separation, is used mainly for citrus peels. This process starts when whole citrus (in this case lime) fruits are placed in a machine that pierces them to rupture their essential oil sacs, which are located on the underside of the citrus rind. The fruits are pressed to squeeze out the juice and the oil. Most modern-day cold-pressing machines utilise centrifugal force to help separate the essential oil from the rest of the plant pulp and liquid. Once this is done, the essential oil is collected and bottled. The most significant benefit of this method of essential oil extraction is that it preserves the integrity and potency of the oils.
The colour of Lime Oil is light green with a hint of orange/yellow. Its consistency is thin and its aroma is fresh, citrusy, sweet, and slightly tart. Lime Oil is classified as a top note.
The major chemical constituents of Lime Essential Oil are: a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, y-terpinene, terpinolene, octanal, nonanal, tetradecanal, pentadecanal, trans-a-bergaptene, caryophyllene, b-bisabolene, geranial, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, a-terpineol, and linalool.
Lime Oil carries many desirable therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, disinfectant, and astringent.
Can I make Lime Oil at home?
Expression is the least practical method of essential oil extraction. It requires time and patience, especially if done manually. The alternative to the centuries-old, labour-intensive cold-pressing techniques is investing in cold-pressing equipment, which is quite costly. This is precisely why we believe that extracting Lime Oil or any other citrus essential oil at home isn’t a good option, especially when finding 100% Pure Organic Lime Oil online or in physical stores is incredibly easy.
Have you ever tried to make Lime Oil in the comfort of your home? Were you pleased with the result? As always, feel free to share your stories with us!
The colour of Lime Oil is light green with a hint of orange/yellow. Its consistency is thin and its aroma is fresh, citrusy, sweet, and slightly tart. Lime Oil is classified as a top note.
The major chemical constituents of Lime Essential Oil are: a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, y-terpinene, terpinolene, octanal, nonanal, tetradecanal, pentadecanal, trans-a-bergaptene, caryophyllene, b-bisabolene, geranial, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, a-terpineol, and linalool.
Lime Oil carries many desirable therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, disinfectant, and astringent.
Can I make Lime Oil at home?
Expression is the least practical method of essential oil extraction. It requires time and patience, especially if done manually. The alternative to the centuries-old, labour-intensive cold-pressing techniques is investing in cold-pressing equipment, which is quite costly. This is precisely why we believe that extracting Lime Oil or any other citrus essential oil at home isn’t a good option, especially when finding 100% Pure Organic Lime Oil online or in physical stores is incredibly easy.
Have you ever tried to make Lime Oil in the comfort of your home? Were you pleased with the result? As always, feel free to share your stories with us!
Lime Oil Varieties
Lime Oil Varieties
There are two varieties of Key Lime Essential Oil on the market: Cold Pressed Lime Oil and Steam Distilled Lime Oil. The cold pressed variety is derived from Key lime peels via expression, whereas the steam distilled one is extracted from the peel of Key limes via steam distillation. Steam Distilled Lime Oil isn’t phototoxic, which means you can add it to your skincare products without worrying about your skin when exposing yourself to sunlight. Cold Pressed Lime Oil, on the other hand, is phototoxic. However, this doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be used topically. It only means that it should be used carefully. To avoid the risk of a phototoxic reaction, experts recommend a dermal maximum of 0.7%. That’s about 4.2 drops of Cold Pressed Lime Oil per 30 ml of your favourite carrier oil.
Aside from Key Lime Essential Oil, you can also come across Persian Lime Essential Oil. As the name suggests, this Lime Oil variety comes from the Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia), which is a triploid cross between the Key lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia) and lemon (Citrus limon). The fruit of this species has a less intense citrusy aroma than the Key lime fruit.
So, which Lime Oil variety to opt for?
Well, it depends on your taste. If you like the clean and bright scent of Key limes, chances are you’ll fall deeply in love with Key Lime Essential Oil. If you find the Key lime fruit’s aroma overwhelming, Persian Lime Essential Oil might be ideal for you. Whichever Lime Oil variety you decide on, make sure to check the bottle first. It should have the botanical name and the country of origin on the product label. Also, make sure the oil is in a dark-coloured bottle. Plastic and clear glass bottles aren’t suitable for essential oils because light can damage them. To fully experience the beauty of Lime Oil, we advise you to opt for 100% Pure Organic Lime Oil.
Which of the above mentioned Lime Oil varieties do you use and why? Feel free to let us know!
Aside from Key Lime Essential Oil, you can also come across Persian Lime Essential Oil. As the name suggests, this Lime Oil variety comes from the Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia), which is a triploid cross between the Key lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia) and lemon (Citrus limon). The fruit of this species has a less intense citrusy aroma than the Key lime fruit.
So, which Lime Oil variety to opt for?
Well, it depends on your taste. If you like the clean and bright scent of Key limes, chances are you’ll fall deeply in love with Key Lime Essential Oil. If you find the Key lime fruit’s aroma overwhelming, Persian Lime Essential Oil might be ideal for you. Whichever Lime Oil variety you decide on, make sure to check the bottle first. It should have the botanical name and the country of origin on the product label. Also, make sure the oil is in a dark-coloured bottle. Plastic and clear glass bottles aren’t suitable for essential oils because light can damage them. To fully experience the beauty of Lime Oil, we advise you to opt for 100% Pure Organic Lime Oil.
Which of the above mentioned Lime Oil varieties do you use and why? Feel free to let us know!
Benefits of Lime Oil
At Essentially Yours, we pride ourselves on doing the necessary research to enrich our understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. This enables us to help you choose the best oils, blends, and methods of application for your wants and needs. We believe that familiarising you with our products, the numerous benefits they provide, and the adverse side effects that occur when they are misused is the least we can do, hence these blog posts. In this particular blog, we are going to dive into some of the many fantastic benefits of Lime Oil.
Lime Oil is a citrus essential oil that can:
Promote skin health
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, Lime Oil can clear up acne and help limit future breakouts. It can also help brighten dull skin as well as fight signs of aging by diminishing the appearance of fine lines and patchy pigmentation. Additionally, this essential oil can promote a youthful look due to its tonic and tightening qualities. To harness these amazing health benefits, simply add a couple of drops of diluted Lime Oil to your daily facial cleanser or moisturiser.
Heal minor wounds and prevent bacterial infections
Lime Oil’s potent antibacterial activity makes it a great choice for treating small cuts, scrapes, bites, and burns. Dilute a few drops of Lime Oil with your favourite carrier oil and apply the mixture to the affected areas. Never apply essential oils directly to open wounds.
Support the respiratory system and strengthen immunity
Thanks to its antiviral and antiseptic properties, Lime Oil can be effective in warding off seasonal threats, i.e. protecting against the common cold and influenza. It can also assist with asthma and support immune strength. You can reap these benefits via diffusion or steam inhalation.
Relieve muscle soreness and joint pain
When added to massage blends or warm baths, Lime Oil can promote muscle and joint health by reducing both pain and inflammation. For a stronger effect, combine Lime Oil with Lemon Oil.
Promote a sense of well-being
Lime Oil’s aroma is uniquely bright, refreshing, and uplifting. This is why it’s commonly used to encourage emotional balance, increase focus, and help with stress, anxiety, and depression. You can use it on its own or blend it with other mood-boosting oils.
Disinfect surfaces and purify the air
Lime Oil’s antibacterial properties and wonderfully fresh scent make it a powerful ingredient in home cleaning. You can add a few drops of this oil to store-bought household cleaners or use it to make your own natural cleaning products. Lime Oil can cut through tough grease, which is why it’s a popular ingredient in kitchen cleaning products. Lime Oil can also be used to remove unpleasant room smells.
When it comes to using Cold Pressed Lime Oil, the single most important piece of safety information is that it’s phototoxic. This means that it should always be diluted prior to topical use. The recommended dermal maximum is 0.7%. Experts advise against using Lime Oil if it has oxidised. People with hypersensitive skin should avoid using this oil.
If you are pregnant or currently breastfeeding, please consult with your physician before using this or any other essential oil.
Uses of Lime Oil
We, the Essentially Yours team, take immense pleasure in learning and sharing our knowledge, tips, and tricks to help you deepen your understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. Whether you are thinking about adding a certain oil or blend to your collection and want to learn its dos and don’ts or you are simply curious about the various methods of oil application - we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we are going to explore some of the most popular ways of using Lime Oil - a citrus essential oil we are extremely proud to have in our selection.
Lime Oil is one of the most affordable and versatile essential oils. It can be used in a myriad of ways, including:
Via diffusion and steam inhalation
Diffusing a few drops of 100% Pure Organic Lime Oil can be an amazing way to create a stimulating and uplifting atmosphere in your home. When diffused or inhaled, Lime Oil can help you clear your mind, improve your concentration, and balance your emotions. Using Lime Oil via diffusion or steam inhalation can also help you get rid of cold symptoms and boost your immune system.
In warm baths
Adding a few drops of Lime Oil to a warm bath can relieve muscle pain and joint inflammation as well as increase appetite. An aromatic bath with Lime Oil might also help reduce stress and tension. This is a great alternative to using Lime Oil via steam inhalation.
In massage blends
Struggling with muscle soreness? Having a hard time focusing? If you answered ‘yes’ to one or both of these questions, you should definitely consider having a Lime Oil massage. To relieve muscle aches, mix 4 drops of Lime Oil with 30 ml of your favourite carrier oil (we recommend Jojoba and Coconut) and massage the blend into the affected areas. To strengthen your attention, dilute a couple of drops of Lime Oil and rub it into your skin.
In skincare
To fight acne, brighten dull skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines, sun spots, and wrinkles, and promote a youthful look, enrich your daily face wash and/or night cream with a few drops of diluted Lime Oil. You can use diluted Lime Oil to treat minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and chilblains. Lime Oil is phototoxic, so always use it at low dilutions (the recommended dermal maximum is 0.7%).
In home cleaning
To make an effective household cleaner, combine 15-20 drops of 100% Pure Organic Lime Oil with half a cup of distilled water and half a cup of vinegar. You can use this mixture to disinfect countertops, floors, toilet bowls, etc. Additionally, you can use Lime Oil in your refrigerator to eliminate unpleasant odours. All you need to do is add a few drops of the oil to a box of baking soda and keep it in your fridge.
Blends well with
At Essentially Yours, we pride ourselves on constantly learning and sharing our knowledge, tips, and tricks to help you pick the best oils, blends, and methods of application for your wants and needs. We believe that familiarising you with each and every one of our products, the numerous benefits they offer, and the adverse side effects that occur when they aren’t properly used is the least we can do, hence these blog posts. This particular blog focuses on some of the many essential oils Lime Oil blends beautifully with.
Bergamot Oil
This citrus oil boasts a uniquely complex aroma with underlying bitter and floral characteristics. It’s cherished for its ability to both calm and uplift. In addition to this, Bergamot Oil can assist with acne, abscesses, boils, itching, and oily skin. To create a mood-boosting diffuser blend, combine 3 drops of Lime Oil with 3 drops of Bergamot Oil.
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Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood Oil’s woody and balsamic aroma has a calming and comforting effect. This oil carries antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can be beneficial for certain skin conditions. It’s reported that Cedarwood Oil can alleviate and reduce acne breakouts, soothe symptoms of eczema, diminish the appearance of scars, and protect the skin against environmental pollutants and toxins.
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Grapefruit Oil
Grapefruit Oil is an orange-tinted essential oil with a pleasantly sweet, tangy aroma. It’s one of the most frequently used oils in aromatherapy. This citrus oil energises without being too strong. It can help with acne, oily skin, cellulitis, dull skin, toxin build-up, water retention, and nervous exhaustion. Since Grapefruit Oil is phototoxic (can cause a skin reaction when exposed to the sun), some experts recommend a dermal maximum of 4%. Pair Lime Oil with Grapefruit Oil in a diffuser or aromatherapy inhaler to decongest your sinuses.
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Clary Sage Oil
This essential oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers/buds of the clary sage plant (botanical name: Salvia sclarea). Its aroma is earthy, herbaceous, floral, and faintly fruity. Clary Sage Oil boasts many desirable therapeutic properties and can help reduce stress by promoting a sense of well-being, ease menstrual pain, alleviate menopause symptoms, and assist with acne, skin inflammation, and dry or mature skin.
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Roman Chamomile Oil
Roman Chamomile Oil boasts a crisp, sweet, fruity, and herbaceous scent. It’s commonly used during periods of anger or irritability. Additionally, Roman Chamomile Oil can assist with insect bites, inflamed skin, dermatitis, wounds, headaches, PMS, insomnia, and many other health issues.
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Geranium Oil
Geranium Oil is a wonderfully calming and balancing essential oil. It can be beneficial to the female reproductive system, supportive to the menstrual cycle as well as during menopause, and helpful with anxiety, depression, oily skin, and acne.
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Citronella Oil
Citronella Oil is a grassy essential oil that seduces with its lemony, slightly fruity, fresh, and sweet aroma. It carries many desirable therapeutic properties, including insect-deterrent, antimicrobial, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, stimulant, tonic, deodorant, stomachic, diuretic, and antioxidant.
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