10 ml Lime Essential Oil

Bright, zesty, and instantly uplifting, lime essential oil brings a burst of citrus freshness to your day.

• Latin Name: Citrus Aurantifolia
• Part of Plant Used: Fruit Peel
• Source: Mexico
• Extraction Method: Cold Expression

Lime essential oil is obtained from Citrus aurantifolia, also known as Mexican or West Indian lime, as well as sour lime. The oil is extracted from the peel of the unripe skin by cold expression, or from the peel and/or the whole ripe fruit by steam distillation. Lime oil has a sharp, citrus smell that immediately perks up one's mood on smelling it, and is pale yellow to light olive in colour.

When used in an oil burner, lime essential oil stimulates a tired mind and helps ease anxiety, apathy, and depression. It is useful for reducing fevers associated with colds, sore throats, and flu. It increases immunity while easing coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma. It is said to be helpful for arthritis, rheumatism, and poor circulation, as well as for obesity and cellulite.

This oil is good for the skin; it reduces oiliness and acne, and helps with herpes, insect bites, and cuts. However, the oil obtained by cold expression (as opposed to steam distillation) can cause photosensitivity and irritate the skin.

Limes are originally from Asia, but they are now grown in most warm countries, including Italy, the West Indies, and the Americas. The lime is green when raw and ripens to yellow, usually measuring about two inches in diameter. It was introduced into Europe by the Moors and from there migrated to the Americas. The lime is said to have a lower vitamin C content than lemons. People often carried limes on long ship journeys to prevent sailors from getting scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency.