lemon oil – Healthy and Hopeful

You’ve probably seen it all over social media… people are obsessed with essential oils. Personally, I was really skeptical of the whole essential oil thing for awhile, but let me tell you: I tried them and I am now a believer! They really are amazing and have helped me achieve better health naturally and safely.

If you’ve been wanting to try essential oils and just aren’t sure where to get started, I thought I would help provide a quick guide for you. It can be a bit overwhelming sorting through all the information – what company to choose, what oils to start with, how to use the oils, and the list goes on. I’ve done tons of research and I’m here to help!

What Kind to Buy? Does Brand Matter?

I’ve learned from experience that brand really does matter when it comes to the effectiveness of oils. I’ve tried several brands and now only buy from a couple of companies I know sell pure, high-quality oils that actually work. Many cheaper store brands use chemicals (in growing, distillation or bottling) or add filler oils and fragrances to the bottle. Even if they claim to be “pure,” unfortunately, they often aren’t. Young Living became my favorite company because they own their entire process from Seed to Seal – they grow the plants on their own farms (pesticide-free), distill and bottle the oils themselves. I trust their oils to be safe and therapeutically effective based both on my research and personal experience.

What Oils to Try?

With hundreds of essential oils and blends to choose from, trying to figure out what to try first is probably the hardest part. Here are 3 options for getting started:

Free Sample – for my local friends, I’d be happy to share a few drops of one of my favorites as a sample if you’d like to try something before you take the step to purchase.
Try One or Two – Young Living has a website where you can purchase oils without any commitment. When you create an account, make sure to put this in the Referral ID field: 2343919.
- Which Oil(s) to Choose: I am happy to make personal recommendations based on what you’re looking to use it for – maybe you’re looking for something to help with allergies, with headaches, for energy, for non-toxic house cleaning, stress-relief, skincare… the list goes on – you tell me what you’re looking to tackle naturally! You can comment on this post, use the contact form here.
Start with a Bundle (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) – Young Living offers several discounted Starter Bundles- many options come with 12 of the most popular and a diffuser. You can create an account and get 24% off retail pricing if you order one of these for over 100 PV (or sign up for a subscription to get that discount). When you create an account, make sure to put this in the Referral ID field: 2343919.
- No minimum order or pressure to purchase – You don’t have to purchase anything after your bundle if you don’t want to (though I bet you will!). There is no fee to keep your wholesale pricing active; you only need to spend $50PV on products each year to keep it.
- Compensation as an Independent Distributor – There is no obligation to sell oils, but if you’re looking for some extra income, there are ways to receive compensation for sharing oils with your friends.
- Optional Subscription / Loyalty Rewards Program – Each order earns you points towards free products and you also get reduced shipping rates.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. I am not a doctor and any tips I share are not meant to diagnose or cure disease; I am just sharing ways that these oils have helped me personally.

In my last post, I included a reader poll on future blog topics and the majority has spoken….you want to learn more about essential oils. So, I’ve decided to start a series on oils, focusing on different ones and how I use them. Today, I’m going to start with one of my favorites – LEMON

Lemon essential oil is highly concentrated – cold-pressed from the rind, it takes 75 lemons to make one 15ml bottle. If you have heard about the benefits of drinking lemon water each morning, lemon oil is an easier alternative to stocking up on lemons each week, and the lack of citric acid can be easier on your stomach and teeth. Just a drop of lemon essential oil in a glass of water can have a lot of benefits first thing in the morning:

Rehydrates your body after 8 or so hours of no water, reinvigorating your body and brain
Helps flush your digestive system & promotes stomach acid production to aid in digestion throughout the day
Boosts metabolism
Calms the body, reducing stress and helping your adrenals prepare to tackle the day
Gets vitamin C into your body first thing, boosting your immune system
It’s a powerful antioxidant, which combats free radicals in the body – learn more about that here
Suffering from post-nasal drip? Lemon in hot water with raw honey can soothe a sore throat.
Note: I only ingest the Young Living brand of essential oils as not all brands are safe internally

My husband and I love citrus scents, so it’s one of my favorite oils to diffuse and fill our home with a lovely energizing aroma. It’s a great air freshener to get rid of odors… I have been really thankful for it when we’ve left trash in the house during a weekend away, returning to that awful permeating smell; a few minutes in the diffuser does wonders. On that same note, (although I must be the only one who does this) if you accidentally leave your laundry in the wash for a few minutes too long before moving it to the dryer or the dryer doesn’t fully dry your bulky load of towels, you know that your clothes will smell terribly musty/mildewy. Instead of rewashing, rub some lemon oil on a dryer sheet and throw it in the dryer to make your laundry fresh and clean again – it’s amazing!

In addition to the two ways above, there are many other ways that you can use lemon oil around the house. I mix my own totally safe & cheap all-purpose cleaner & disinfectant to use all over – the kitchen, bathroom and windows/mirrors (streak-free!). It’s a simple mixture of one part white vinegar, one part water and 10-20 (depending on your “part” size) drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle. The lemon helps a lot with the vinegar smell, but if you still can’t stand it, there are plenty of other recipes on Pinterest. You can also make your own easy furniture polish by replacing the water with olive oil in the mixture above, adjusting ratios as needed depending on your wood varnish and how well it absorbs. Polish with a microfiber cloth to protect and clean your wood furniture. Depending on how much you want make at a time, you may want to use a glass spray bottle as citrus oils can eat through plastic. And one last cleaning tip – lemon oil can help remove anything sticky, including gum from hair.

Beyond being a staple in my medicine cabinet & under-the-sink, lemon oil is also a go-to in my cosmetic drawer. I mix it with coconut oil to use as a face moisturizer each morning; it helps balance my oily skin and helps heal any blemishes. Lemon oil is known to improve circulation so is great for making cellulite disappear (hello, nearing swimsuit season) and I’ve heard it helps with varicose veins as well.

I literally use lemon oil every day and don’t know what I would do without it. Interested in giving it a try? Learn more about purchasing essential oils here.

How do you use lemon oil? I’m always wanting to hear more ways essential oils help people!