Centuries ago sailors and explorers never set sail without crates of limes on board, as the vitamin C-loaded juice served as one of the most potent preventives and remedies for scurvy and other skin problems.1 Now, lime is more popularly used as a cooking ingredient, adding a tangy flavor to your favorite dishes. But there's another great way to reap its benefits: Use lime essential oil. This invigorating, refreshing citrus compound has many uses.
What Is Lime Oil?
Lime oil comes from Citrus aurantifolia of the Rutaceae plant family.2 This short, bushy tree grows to about 12 feet high and has dark green leaves, fragrant white blossoms and green oval fruits.
There are two main types of lime trees: the Mexican lime (Key lime) and the Tahiti lime (Persian or Bears lime). Limes originally came from Southeast Asia before making their way to Egypt and Africa, but now can be found in all sorts of tropical locations.
Although typically a deep, inviting green, limes can be light olive or even pale yellow, similar to lemons. In addition to adding a liveliness to your foods and introducing a wealth of health benefits, limes can be used in cleaning and self-care.
Uses of Lime Essential Oil
Lime essential oil is popular in all kinds of foods and drinks and has established its place in the creation of invigorating fragrances. This versatile citrus oil is also added to household cleaners, detergents, soaps and beauty products.
You can also get bodywide benefits by using lime oil in aromatherapy, as it is stimulating and refreshing. Just like lemon oil, lime oil can be used for its cleansing properties.
Its rich vitamin C content also makes it an ideal immune system booster, helping protect you from colds and flu.3 It is known to combat bacteria and can be used in disinfectant regimens. There are multiple ways to use lime essential oil, depending on what health condition you want to treat or address:4
- You can drop a small amount in a vaporizer or warm bath and take in the mood-boosting aroma while recovering from a cold or retreating from inclement weather.
- When you’re dealing with congestion and sinus issues, try this natural remedy before hitting the drug store. If you have a good carrier oil (try coconut oil, for example), mix it with a drop or two of lime essential oil and use this on your chest and neck in place of over-the-counter chest rubs.
- To ease the pain of arthritis or varicose veins, mix a bit with a good quality carrier oil and rub it all over the area that’s hurting.
- Treat bleeding cuts and wounds by putting two drops in a cold compress and applying the compress on the affected areas.
- For acne and other skin problems, mix two drops of lime oil with 15 drops of jojoba oil and apply it to your skin. This helps wash out impurities while promoting the growth of new skin cells.
- Avoid dandruff and bring life to dull, frizzy or oily hair by mixing a few drops of lime oil in your favorite shampoo to help remove oil quickly.5
Don't just leave lime oil in your medicine cabinet, though. Around the home, lime oil, like other citrus varieties, can help:6,7
- Remove grease spots and sticker residue — Put lime oil on a cotton pad and use it to wipe surfaces clean. It also helps remove gum and can be used to clean a dry erase board.
- Prevent fruits from turning brown — Add one to two drops to your cut fresh fruits.
- Repel insects, such as mosquitoes and ants — Simply diffuse it in your home.
- Add flavor to your citrus-infused dishes — Add a few drops for a deeper, tangy flavor.
Composition of Lime Essential Oil
Like lemons, limes and lime essential oil are full of antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients.8 Lime oil is loaded with compounds that offer antiseptic and restorative benefits, and it can even help with fevers and, as demonstrated in one study, with feelings of sadness or other mental issues.9 In addition to the wonderful health benefits that lime oil has to offer, it has an uplifting, pleasing aroma.
Benefits of Lime Oil
Did you know that lime oil can be used to treat injuries as well as stomach issues and upper respiratory problems? It's a great oil to add to your natural first-aid kit. Lime oil has been shown to:10,11
Protect and treat viruses |
Keep your teeth and gums healthy |
Aid with detoxification |
Kill harmful bacteria |
Help with stomach issues |
Treat skin infections and rashes |
Help relieve “the blues” |
Contribute to sinus health |
Support the respiratory system |
How to Make Your Own Infused Lime Oil
There are two ways by which lime oil is produced: cold-pressing and distilling. Cold-pressed oil has a yellow or green color, with a rich and fresh lime peel aroma. Meanwhile, distilled is either pale yellow or clear, with a fragrant fruity scent.
Between these two, I would recommend using cold-pressed lime oil, as it retains more of the natural elements that make lime oil so beneficial. Even though cold-pressed lime oil costs more than distilled varieties, it's definitely worth the money. You can also make a basic lime oil infusion at home with these easy steps adapted from Leaf.TV:12
Infused Lime Oil
You’ll need
- 2 cups olive oil
- 4 limes
- Citrus zester or paring knife
- 2 Kaffir lime leaves (optional)
- Fine-mesh sieve
Procedure
- Heat 2 cups of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. While doing this, wash the limes and dry them thoroughly.
- Using the paring knife or zester, cut the lime zest into quarter-inch strips. Do not cut into the pith, though.
- Add the lime zest and two Kaffir lime leaves (if using) to the olive oil. Let it simmer on medium for 10 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and then cover, allowing the zest and leaves to steep for two-and-a-half hours.
- Run the mixture through the sieve into a glass container. Seal it up and keep it away from heat and humidity. It doesn’t have to go in the refrigerator, though. Enjoy the benefits of your lime oil within two weeks of the infusion.
Is Lime Oil Safe?
While highly beneficial when used carefully, all essential oils may carry risks with use.13 Lime oil can be inhaled or vaporized, used topically, or added to food in small amounts. It's said to be nontoxic and nonirritating, but this does not mean that you should use it recklessly. For instance, do a patch test to see if you have any sensitivity to this oil. Simply apply a drop or two to your skin to check if you develop any allergic reaction.
I do not recommend using undiluted lime oil, as it can be very potent. Instead, blend it with a milder oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil. Lime oil also blends well with other oils, but it’s important to understand how various oils interact with each other, and sometimes counteract each other, before you mix them together.
As with other herbal oils, I advise you to consult your physician before ingesting this oil (diluted or mixed in food) to determine the proper dosage for your condition. I also do not recommend lime oil for pregnant women or nursing mothers without first seeking the advice of their healthcare provider.
Side Effects of Lime Oil
Citrus oils like lime oil are photosensitive, meaning they react to light, radiant energy or other sources of UV rays. If you use this oil topically and then go out into the sun or other light sources, an adverse reaction such as a rash or dark pigmentation may appear after several minutes, hours or days after the light exposure.14
So, whatever happens, don't expose your skin to the sun if you've just used lime oil. Wait for six to 24 hours before going out. The stronger the UV rays that you will be exposed to, the longer the wait should be.