7 Amazing Benefits of Citrus Essential Oils

You may suspect that you know a few benefits of citrus essential oils, just by loving the fruit that they come from. But there’s more to it. There are many ways to study essential oils. As groups of essential oils can have similar effects on our body systems, it is very useful to study them in groups. We can learn a lot about a collection of oils by the plant part from which they are extracted. Citrus is one of those collections.

Whether you are experiencing the more carefree, joyful days of summer, or if colder days are afoot, citrus essential oils provide a welcome scent with some very positive effects that make these oils a favourite of many people – and with good reason. Let’s look at oils that come from citrus fruit and explore why these oils are so popular.

In the world of aromatherapy, the citrus family of essential oils holds a special place. Citrus oils include options such as bergamot, lemon, lime, sweet orange, bitter orange, tangerine, mandarin, grapefruit, and yuzu. These sunny and uplifting scents have captured the hearts of many.

Citrus oils are unique in their extraction process, being cold-pressed from the rind rather than steam-distilled like many other essential oils. Belonging to the Rutaceae family, these oils can be characterized as either sweet or zesty, evoking a wide range of emotions and sensations when experienced.

Citrus Circular Lifespan

Without human intervention, citrus fruits have an interesting life cycle that is closely tied to the animal kingdom. In many cases they are green in colour and bitter tasting. The fruits protect their seeds inside as they are not desirable for animals to eat. Once fully ripe, animals eat the fruits, and the seeds pass through their digestive systems, aiding in seed dispersal. This circular process allows new seeds to take root else where while providing nourishment to the animals.

Why do we love the citrus oils so much

We love citrus fruit for more than their delightful taste and aroma; they hold symbolic significance in many cultures:

1. Abundance and Prosperity: Citrus fruit have long been associated with abundance and prosperity, representing the bountiful gifts of nature.
2. Fertility and Youth: Throughout history, citrus has symbolized fertility and vitality, embodying the cycle of life and renewal.
3. Health and Well-being: Across the ages, citrus has been revered for its health benefits, containing essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
4. Gift-Giving Tradition: The tradition of giving citrus fruit as gifts continues, especially during winter celebrations like Christmas, spreading joy and positivity. Giving fruit as a gift is an ancient tradition that symbolizes love, health, and wealth. It was often difficult to live through the darker months with colder weather and seasonal illness. Citrus fruit acquired from voyages would help to provide vitamins that might otherwise be unavailable during colder months.

Psychological Impact of Citrus Aromas

The connection between scent and emotions is well-documented. Bright colors and round shapes, like fruit, have been shown to bring joy. Citrus essential oils, with their vibrant and refreshing aroma, tap into this psychological experience, promoting feelings of happiness, energy, and enthusiasm.

Fruit is life-giving, providing nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Regular consumption of fruit in moderation can lower the risk of some health concerns

While citrus essential oils do not contain vitamins and minerals, they do contain antimicrobial properties. They are antidepressant, antioxidant, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, detoxifying, diuretic, stomachic.

From a scent perspective, they are top notes that oxidize quickly. Let’s dive into a few specific oils.

A Closer Look at Citrus Essential Oils

Each citrus essential oil boasts its own unique qualities and therapeutic properties. Let’s explore some of the most popular ones:

1. Bergamot: Instills self-confidence, joy, and emotional balance, while also reducing tension in muscles and aiding digestive discomfort. Bergamot is anxiety reducing and great for the introspective. Bergamot essential oil is antifungal and can be a beneficial ingredient in skincare recipes. Bergamot is highly phototoxic. Look for FCF (furanocoumarin free) Bergamot
2. Lemon: Zesty and uplifting, lemon oil energizes the mind, enhances focus, and can be used as an excellent green cleaner or air purifier. Lemon is cheerful, outgoing, provides confidence and is great for focus and mental fatigue. Lemon essential oil contains antibacterial properties making it a positive addition to skincare products for acne prone skin. Use at a dilution of 1%.
3. Lime: Similar to lemon, lime oil possesses a sharper scent and provides energizing, uplifting and cleansing benefits for both your space and aura. Lime is a great essential oil to use in haircare products at 2 – 3%.
4. Grapefruit: An uplifting, motivational and sunny aroma, grapefruit oil may help alleviate tension headaches and address lymph congestion. Great for depression and anxiety. Grapefruit is useful in skincare products for its anti-aging effects due to its invigoration effect on the body.
5. Sweet Orange: Known for its calming effect, sweet orange oil brings sunshine into your life and opens your heart to joy and relaxation. Use it in combination with bergamot or chamomile for digestive relief. In skincare, orange essential oil can be used in a moisturizer or cleanser up to 1% dilution. I find that a subtle amount of orange oil creates a delightful scent in face care products.
6. Yuzu: With its zesty and energizing properties, yuzu oil proves helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Yuzu can uplift a tired complexion. Having a scent profile somewhere between grapefruit and mandarin, yuzu can be an excellent addition to your citrus collection.

Love citrus? Check out our Citrus Clove Hand Cleanser Spritz. 

How to use citrus essential oils

Utilizing citrus essential oils in your daily life can be both enjoyable and beneficial. Here are some practical applications to consider:

1. Digestive Relief: For digestive discomfort, place 3 drops of bergamot and 2 drops of sweet orange into one ounce of liquid carrier oil such as olive oil. Place a nickel sized amount of the scented oil in your palm and rub on the tummy.
2. Cellulite Reduction: Blend grapefruit and juniper berry oils with a carrier oil for a massage that may help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Mix 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil and 5 drops of juniper berry essential oil into 20 ml of carrier oil and massage into the area. I suggest coconut oil for this recipe, but make sure that most of the oil is absorbed into the skin before dressing the area to avoid oil stains on your clothes.
3. Air Cleansing: Not only do citrus essential oils deodorize a space when they are diffused, they are known air cleansers. Place 5 drops of your favourite citrus oils into your diffuser before and after entertaining to cleanse and deodorize the air in your space
4. Natural Cleaner: Create an effective green tub and sink cleanser. By combining one cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of liquid soap, and 2-3 drops of citrus oil, you have a natural tub and sink cleanser. Make sure you know what material you are using any essential oils on as these oils can erode porous surfaces. If you are looking to clean counter tops, leave the essential oil out.
5. Uplift Your Mood: In a small glass jar (you can pick up a decorative one from the dollar store, just make sure it’s glass), combine one tbsp of sea salt and 5 drops of your favourite citrus oils. Place the glass beside your work are and inhale every couple of hours to provide a periodic uplift to your day!
6. Stress Relief: Bring on that vacation feeling with citrus oils that relieve stress. Combine bergamot, grapefruit, and orange oils for a calming and stress-relieving aromatic experience. Use in a diffuser or personal inhaler.
7. Astringent: Citrus essential oils can be used as an astringent for oily skin, however, over use will cause skin irritation. Be cautious when using these for skincare as citrus oils are phototoxic. If you are interested in using them this way, create a nighttime blend and make sure you wash your face in the morning before going out. Contact a professional aromatherapist for help.

A Gentle Remedy for Children

For children over the age of 7, sweet orange, mandarin, and tangerine oils can be soothing for upset tummies, restlessness, stress, and anxiety. Some professional aromatherapists have found calming results using single note essential oil inhalers or in a diffuser for kids with ADHD and autism.

Essential oils are potent. If you are interested in exploring this option please work with a professional aromatherapist to help you prevent harm, stay within safety guidelines and to help choose the right oils for your situation. Make sure that you know dilution rates for the safest application possible.

Caution Regarding Ingestion

While some sources may recommend lemon (or other) essential oil in your morning water, it’s much safer and more effective – not to mention cheaper – to use a real lemon to avoid potential harm. There are no vitamins in essential oils that have been found so far. If you are interested in morning lemon water and a digestive system detox, it’s very effective to just use a slice of lemon. You will appreciate the ritual and further connection with nature that occurs from using the fruit. Besides, the lemon has more culinary uses as you can continue to make dressings, sauces and add a bit of needed acidity to a dish that needs that added flare.

Phototoxicity

Remember that citrus essential oils are phototoxic. Do not use them on the skin in summer time before UV ray exposure, sun and tanning bed exposure. For more information on essential oil phototoxicity check out this article.

Buy organic

Citrus fruits are sprayed with pesticides, and, as so many of the citrus oils are cold pressed, trace amounts might be present in your essential oil. Whenever possible I recommend that when buying citrus essential oils you buy organic.

Citrus essential oils hold a special place in the world of aromatherapy, offering uplifting aromas and a plethora of therapeutic benefits. Whether you seek emotional balance, physical well-being, or simply a joyous and refreshing atmosphere, these oils from the citrus family have much to offer. Embrace the abundant gifts of nature and let the vibrant scents of citrus oils invigorate your senses, promoting a harmonious and joyful lifestyle.