Natural Cleaner
Toss your chemical-laden cleaning products aside and turn to lemon essential oil to clean kitchen counters, children’s toys and more. Simply fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and 40 drops of lemon essential oil and get spraying. Wipe down hard surfaces or leave to air dry. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of the lemon oil work with the disinfecting rubbing alcohol to leave items germ-free. Amp up this all natural spray by adding 15 drops each of tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender essential oil.
Note: Always test on a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning.
Cooking Substitute
If you forgot to pick up an extra lemon for zesting, turn to essential oils. Since lemon essential oil is extracted from the peel of a lemon, it imparts a lot of lemon flavor in recipes like desserts and salad dressing. If you need ideas, check out these irresistible lemon recipes.
Still on the fence? Follow our cooking with essential oils guide for help.
Sticker and Gum Remover
Did your little one put a sticker on your counter or get gum on a coffee table? Put a few drops of lemon essential oil on the spot then rub with a damp cleaning rag. The oil and scrubbing with lift the sticky residue and leave your surface sparkling clean. Lemon is so versatile, there are 20 ways you can clean your house with it.
Brighten the Bathroom
Hard water build-up and limescale can clog your shower head and leave spots all over the bathroom. Thanks to citric acid, lemon can break down these hard-to-clean areas, according to Dr. Sandra Zaslow of North Carolina State University Extension.
To do so, combine 1 cup of water with 10 drops of lemon essential oil and spray liberally on the build-up. Wait 10-15 minutes, then wipe clean. For a particularly tough spot, moisten a paper towel with the water and lemon essential oil mixture, wrap it around the build-up and let it sit overnight. In the morning, remove the paper towel and wipe clean.
Polish Silver
Breath new life into tarnished silver cutlery or jewelry with essential oils. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and lemon essential oil to create a paste. Using a soft rag or old toothbrush, buff the paste into the silver until the tarnish starts to lift. Or, try these other surprising ways to polish silver.
Lighten Hair
Bring out your natural highlights by mixing ½ cup of strong-brewed chamomile tea, about 20 drops of lemon essential oil and 5 drops of rosemary and lavender essential oil. Spray evenly over damp skin, then let your hair dry as it’s exposed to sunlight. The lemon and chamomile will work to bring out some of your natural highlights while the rosemary and lavender will help to strengthen your hair.
Relieve Nausea
A 2014 study found that breathing in lemon essential oil significantly reduced the feeling of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. So the next time you’re having tummy troubles, add a few drops of lemon essential oil to a diffuser or warm washcloth to feel your symptoms lessen.
Get Things Going
Nausea isn’t the only stomach problem that can be solved with lemon essential oil. In 2005, Korean researchers found that massaging the abdominal area with a mixture of lemon, peppermint and rosemary essential oils helped relieve constipation and increased bowel movements versus abdominal massages on their own. Protect yourself from feeling backed up by incorporating these super high-fiber foods into your diet.
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Caroline Stanko