Besides the fresh scent that comes with limes, lime essential oil has amazing health benefits that include improving immune function, fighting infections and combating inflammation.
What Is Lime Oil?
Lime is a hybrid citrus fruit that is round and green in color. Like the fruit, the essential oil obtained from lime also contains therapeutic properties.
Lime essential oil is extracted by two techniques — steam distillation of dried peels or cold compression of fresh peels.
The components of lime essential oil include myrcene, cineole, limonene, linalool, citral, geranyl acetate, terpinolene, borneol, alpha and beta pinene. Lime oil is used in many applications in the kitchen as well as household.
Uses of Lime Oil
Lime oil blends well with other essential oils like lemon, orange, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, citronella and bergamot. Lime oil can serve as a perfect ingredient that can be used to cure infections in daily life.
Lime oil is used in the following ways:
- In aromatherapy
- As a disinfectant
- As a room cleanser
- As room fresheners
- As a flavoring agent in sauces, pickles, jams, fruit juices and marmalades
- In cosmetics, creams and lotions
Benefits of Lime Oil
Lime essential oil contains astringent, hemostatic, antimicrobial, tonic, disinfectant, antiseptic, aperitif and febrifuge properties.
The main benefits of lime oil include:
1. Relieves toothaches
Lime oil is a natural astringent that helps strengthen gums and teeth and works to cure toothaches. It tightens loose muscles and makes them firm and also helps to stop hemorrhaging by contracting the blood vessels.
2. Reduces fever
Fever is a defense reaction of the body to fight infection. Fever is commonly accompanied by viral infections, colds, allergies, wounds, arthritis and liver malfunctions.
Lime essential oil contains antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, ND antiallergenic properties that cure the primary cause of fever and reduce body temperature.
3. Prevents signs of aging
Lime essential oil acts as a tonic substance that tones the skin, tissues and muscles. It also maintains the functionality of the respiratory, excretory, nervous and digestive system.
The tonic effect of lime essential oil also helps fight symptoms of aging such as wrinkles, age spots and fine lines.
4. Increases appetite
Lime oil has a beautiful aroma that stimulates not only the sense of smell but also the sense of taste. It contains aperitif properties that make it function as an appetizer, and therefore, activates the secretion of digestive juices and increases your appetite.
5. Prevents infections
Lime essential oil contains antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties that help protect the body against harmful diseases. It helps treat viral infections like cold, flu, measles and whooping cough.
Lime oil is also effective in healing ulcers, sores, gangrene, rashes and tetanus and is commonly used in the treatment of typhoid, diarrhea, cholera and food poisoning.
6. Promotes blood coagulation
Hemostatic is an agent that promotes clotting of blood by contraction of blood vessels. Lime oil is hemostatic in nature, which prevents excess bleeding, hence, it is applied to open wounds to make blood clot faster.
7. Relieves muscle and joint pain
Lime oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe inflamed tissues. When applied topically, lime oil provides instant relief from muscle and joint pain, therefore, it is considered to be an effective remedy for pain related to arthritis and rheumatism.
8. Restores overall health
Lime oil is known for its restorative properties due to its nutritive value. It strengthens all the organs in the body and maintains overall health. The essential oil is considered to be an effective tonic for those who are recovering from illnesses.
Side Effects of Lime Oil
Lime oil is safe when taken in the right dosages. However, it has some disadvantages for those who are sensitive and allergic to lime. A patch test is recommended before using lime oil.
- Lime oil is photosensitive and increases the sensitivity of skin when exposed to sunlight after application.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are advised not to use lime oil.
