Lime

Species name: Essential lime oil is extracted from Citrus aurantifolia (also known as Citrus medica var. acida and C. latifolia) of the Rutaceae family, and processed in a variety of ways.

The peel that has not ripened is processed by cold expression methods, and the fruit and ripe skin is processed by steam distillation.  Steam distilled oil is not photosensitizing, but cold expressed oil can cause sensitivity to sun exposure, so it is important to know which type of essential oil you have.

Also known as: Other names for lime are West Indian and Mexican lime, and sour lime.

Lime oil has an aromatic citrus scent that is invigorating!  It is light yellow or green tinted oil in its processed forms.

Native to Asia, lime for essential oil is now grown in most regions of the world.  Lime cultivation is particularly popular in the West Indies, the Americas, and in Italy.

The lime tree is an evergreen variety. There are many varieties of lime available. Lime juicers, the boats that delivered lime all over the world, were instrumental in the practice of administering lime to travelers and crews to prevent diseases such as scurvy, because the lime juicers did not get scurvy. 

Lime essential oil is used in flavorings, cooking, and fragrances.

Home Remedies using Lime Essential Oil:

Benefits of Lime Essential Oil:

This essential oil can help alleviate symptoms of depression.  It is commonly used as a skin toner, and is believed beneficial in banishing wrinkled, orange peel skin, called cellulite.

Lime essential oil great benefits in cleansing wounds, killing bacteria and viruses, to clean and tone skin (especially oily skin) restore balance to bodily organs, including skin, and as a tonic.

Lime oil is used to cool body temperature, as an immune booster to help and prevent common afflictions like influenza. 

Lime oil is a good ingredient to include in cough remedies, helps ease infections of the throat and tonsils, and is good as an inhalation for asthmatic, or breathing conditions. 

Lime oil therapy can help weight loss, painful muscles and joints, and can be energizing and help allay depression. 

It is good for treating the herpes simplex viruses, bug bites, and wounds.

  • Lime essential oil can be used in aromatherapy, to remedy lethargy, and symptoms of depression. Lime oil works well in aromatherapy in preparations of sachets, diffusers or steamers.  It can be mixed with other essential oils, and carrier oils to be used in massage therapy.  It helps breathing problems, viral infections, and is particularly effective as a bath additive or massage therapy oil.
  • When a few drops of the essential oil are added to creams and lotions, it clears oily complexions, and helps get rid of “orange peel” skin.

Side Effects of Lime Essential Oil:

Steam distilled lime oil is not known to be toxic or irritating to skin, but cold pressed oil can cause photosensitivity and skin irritation.