The fruit itself is a rich source of vitamins A,B and C. In fact, it is a specific for scurvy, (caused by vitamin C deficiency). In fact, sailors would bring lemons with them on long journeys to prevent scurvy.

It is a bactericide. It also helps stimulate a body's immune system to fight diseases.

Properties

It contains Limonene, Terpinene, Pinene, Citral, Linalol, Geraniol, Citronellal among others. It is antiseptic.

Uses

Its uses are many and varied. It is often used for its fragrance in perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, and in food and drinks.

You can use it by diffusing it in the air to freshen a room.

You can use it for your laundry, if you are out of detergent. Simply add sodium bicarbonate or baking soda to a metal basin of boiling water with your laundry in it, add a few drops of lemon oil to kill the germs and give it a nice fragrance. Let it cool and wash as usual. Great for bed linen.

Lemon oil also repels insects. Shake 50 ml of water with 10 drops of lemon oil and spray in the air to keep the insects away.

Some people use diluted fresh lemon juice as a toner for oily, acne prone skin. It is also used to lighten skin. Undiluted lemon juice applied on freckles is said to lighten them. A word of caution though. Lemon juice contains AHAs. Acids, which can irritate sensitive skins. It can even cause acid burns, so be careful if you plan to try it.

Caution

Lemon oil is photo toxic. Do not use it if you are going out in the sun. It can also irritate sensitive skin. If you plan to use it in a bath, it might be wiser to dilute it in a carrier oil first and use a maximum of only 2 drops of lemon oil in a bath.