Knowledge is known to be a great power. Here, for example, what do people know today about essential oils? In general terms, we can say about the 100% natural composition, about their extreme usefulness and almost complete harmlessness. Usually these are transparent liquids (colorless or colored), characterized by a high degree of volatility (as a rule, their density is less than 1). These substances do not dissolve in water, but do so well in alcohol, wax, fats and other organic liquids and oils. However, these are nothing more than general words. Today we will try to learn as much as possible about such a substance as lemon essential oil, the properties and use of which give food for thought.
Production technology
The raw material for the finished product is fresh lemon peel. Natural lemon essential oil is produced using the cold pressing method.
Currently for thisdifferent mechanisms are used, but the best quality product is obtained by hand pressing. The prepared raw material is squeezed out, and the result of this process is an essential oil containing a small amount of juice. The resulting composition settles until the lemon essential oil, the properties of which are quite widely known, rises to the surface, from where it is removed.
Can I get it at home?
Nothing is impossible. At home, it is quite possible to get a small amount of a good quality product. The most accessible mechanism for this is a new garlic crusher (i.e. one that has never been used for its intended purpose). Before proceeding to the “production process”, it is worth making sure that there are no special compositions on the fruits of lemons, which are sometimes used to protect fruits from premature spoilage during long-term storage. If this is not done, then the lemon essential oil, the properties of which will not correspond to the declared ones due to the presence of foreign components in the composition, will be unsuitable for consumption.
Main constituents of lemon oil
Lemon essential oil is characterized by a fairly large multicomponent content. Its composition includes substances such as citral and citronellal, limonene, linalool and linalyl acetate, pinene, geraniol, camphene. All these components are mainly considered fragrant compounds and are mostly used as flavorings in perfumery and the food industry. Citral, in addition, has anti-inflammatory properties, is used inAs an antiseptic and blood pressure lowering agent, it is included in eye medications. But linalool, which is part of lemon essential oil, is not characterized by experts' reviews very positively. Commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, soaps and other cleansers, this substance can trigger eczema and a host of other allergic reactions in people.
Properties of matter
The completely unique effects that lemon essential oil has are known. Its properties and use to combat viral and respiratory infections will allow a person to feel the bactericidal, antiseptic and disinfectant effects of the lemon "doctor". It can be used to lower the temperature and fight viruses. The oil can also effectively stimulate the immune system. The antirheumatic, decongestant, diuretic and tonic effects of essential oil are well known to those skilled in the art. Regular intake of oil can reduce cholesterol in the blood and lower blood pressure, have an antitoxic and hemostatic effect, and positively manifest itself in varicose veins and cellulite.
Among other things, the substance has a whitening, analgesic and antispasmodic effect.
Area of influence
The aromatic properties of lemon oil are by no means the only, so to speak, usefulness characteristic of this substance. In the course of various kinds of scientific research, it was found that slowing down the action of the elastase enzyme- one of the possibilities that lemon essential oil has. Its properties and use to preserve the firmness and elasticity of the skin will delay the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of apparent wilting. This healing substance stimulates the growth of new nerve cells, helps tone skin with signs of aging.
Further, it is very effective to use lemon essential oil for oily skin type, because. it can normalize the process of sebum secretion, cleanse and narrow the pores. However, do not think that for people with different skin this substance is useless. Lemon oil's wide range of effects makes it suitable for all skin types.
Lemon essential oil has an excellent antiviral effect. Expert reviews bring to the attention of consumers information about the lasting positive effect in the treatment of diseases such as chickenpox, measles, herpes, influenza-like infections, viral hepatitis.
as a component of complex therapy will be quite effective.
In addition, lemon essential oil is often used to lighten hair, to treat brittle hair and nails, to get rid of dandruff, various kinds of age spots and freckles, and vascular networks on the surface of the skin. A good positive effect will give the use of oil for furunculosis, warts, lichen and cracks in the skin. The use of lemon oil will help normalize the blood formula and get rid of dizziness, nausea and overwork.
Are there any contraindications?
As with any medicinal or cosmetic substance, there are contraindications for such a remedy as lemon essential oil. Its properties and use without prior study of the instructions may lead to the development of a negative effect when used (for example, when outdoors in cloudless weather). The reason lies in the ability of the oil to increase the sensitivity of the skin to the effects of UV radiation. It is undesirable to use the substance in its pure form, it is better to do it in a mixture with natural creams, vegetable oils or home-made products. An exception can be made only in the process of treating skin diseases such as warts, lichen or herpes. In these cases, a drop of pure oil is applied to the affected area, trying to avoid contact with he althy areas of the skin.
It is unacceptable to use essential lemon oil during the course of chemotherapy. Well, individual hypersensitivity to the components that make up the substance is a self-evident contraindication for the use of essential oil.
Face care
In modern cosmetology, lemon essential oil is very widely used, the properties and use of which help to achieve a positive effect in solving a wide variety of problems.skin problems.
If skin care is carried out regularly and using natural vegetable oils, then it makes sense to add no more than 2 drops of lemon oil to one tablespoon of the base.
As mentioned earlier, it can be used by people with any skin type. The only question is what result a person is striving for. For example, in order to effectively care for oily skin, experts recommend using grape seed oil, to which a few drops of lemon are added.
If the skin is already showing signs of aging and wrinkles, lemon oil (a few drops) is injected into any of the following oils: peach, olive, coconut, castor, rosehip or avocado oil.
If the skin is dark and you want to give it a slightly lighter shade, lighten with lemon essential oil by adding a few drops of it to the oil obtained from sea buckthorn.
You can also mix lemon oil with homemade creams and face masks (the ratio of a single dose of cream to the number of drops of lemon oil is 1:1).
Homemade face masks
For those who are fond of making various cosmetics with their own hands, it will also be important to know that it is permissible to introduce no more than 2 drops of lemon oil into almost any composition. Even if there are currently no skin problems, a mask with lemon essential oil, applied regularly, will help push back onindefinite time the moment of manifestation of the first signs of wilting. In general, there are a great many recipes for masks using lemon oil.
Here you can find solutions for oily skin problems, and anti-aging masks for skin with signs of fading, and masks to improve complexion and formulations to lighten freckles.
He althy hair is an indicator of the he alth of the whole body
There is an opinion among consumers that if you use lemon essential oil to lighten your hair, then after a few sessions they will not only become lighter, but will be smooth and shiny. Blondes, after several sessions of rinsing their hair with the addition of lemon oil, will be pleasantly surprised by the appearance of a platinum shade. The easiest way to strengthen your hair is to apply a few drops of lemon essential oil to your comb every day after washing your hair and comb your hair thoroughly.
To achieve a more pronounced and lasting effect, you can use hair masks (as well as for the face).
The most popular hair mask recipe
Mask recipes using lemon essential oil help to quickly achieve positive results, they are known to a large number of consumers. In order to stimulate hair growth, strengthen the roots and get rid of dandruff, the following composition is used: castor and almond oils (2 and 1 tablespoons, respectively) and lemon oil (3 drops). The mixture obtained from these components is heated in a water bath and rubbed into the scalp. Furtherput on a plastic cap and wrap your head with a towel for a quarter of an hour. Then everything is washed away.
Other ways to use lemon oil
Currently, lemon essential oil for nails is widely used. Prevention and treatment of fungal and other lesions, nourishing nails and moisturizing them, giving a he althy color - all this can be done with lemon oil. Daily baths, in which a few drops of lemon oil are added, make the nail plate lighter and give it a well-groomed appearance. The course of therapy should be 7 days.
Baths can be done once a week, but then the course should last 2-3 months, after which you must definitely take a break. It is impossible to use lemon essential oil for nails according to a different scheme (more often and longer), otherwise the nail plate will dry out, deplete, cracks and exfoliating areas may appear on it. Lemon oil not only has a beneficial effect on the nails themselves, but also softens the skin around them, improves its condition, and stimulates the regeneration of skin cells.
Another area where lemon essential oil is used is in the bath. Steam baths with the addition of this substance are effective for colds (the nose will breathe very soon), have a tonic effect, heal wounds and rashes on the body, improve blood circulation.
Since oils (including lemon oil) do not dissolve in water, they are pre-mixed with sea s alt, honey, cream, natural yogurt. To take a bath (time - 15minutes, the temperature is not more than 38 degrees) 10-15 drops of oil will be enough.
Home use options
Use lemon essential oil for hair (reviews of the results are impressive), nails, skin (in cosmetology) - this, of course, is a lot, but not all. Lemon oil is an effective remedy that can prevent the spread of infection in a home where there is a sick person. An aroma lamp or a few drops sprayed with water will protect the inhabitants of the house from infection.
Positive effect will be obtained in the fight against moths and ants. A pad soaked with 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil will make insects look for another place to “live”.
