Lime Essential Oil (Citrus × aurantiifolia)

Overview

Lime may also be referred to as Citrus aurantifolia. It is typically processed using cold pressed/expressed as a method for extracting oil from the citrus rind (peel).

Summary

Lime oil comes from the rind of the fruits of Citrus aurantifolia or Citrus medica trees. It has a fruity citrus scent. It has an antiseptic effect.

Lime Essential Oil is amongst the most affordable of essential oils and is routinely used for its energizing, fresh and cheerful aroma. It is well known in folklore for its ability to cleanse, purify and renew the spirit and the mind. It is also said to be effective in cleansing the aura.

Though it's not on my list of top therapeutic oils, Lime Oil is one that I would be disappointed to live without. Its sweet yet tart, citrusy aroma blends well with so many other oils. Its aroma is especially concentrated, and a little goes a very long way. With the exception of floral Neroli Essential Oil, cold pressed Lime Essential Oil is the most aromatically potent of the fruity citrus oils.

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Citrus Fresh Lemony Slightly floral Sweet
Common Name(s): Citrus aurantifolia
Synonyms(s) for Citrus × aurantiifolia: Citrus acida, Citrus hystrix acida, Citrus limettioides, Citrus medica aurantiifolia, Citrus medica f. aurantifolia, Citrus medica var. acida, Citrus × acida, Citrus × aurantiifolia subsp. murgetana, Citrus × aurantium aurantiifolia, Citrus × javanica, Citrus × lima, Limonia × aurantifolia
Botanical Family: Rutaceae
Botanical Genus: Citrus
Chemical Family: Monoterpenes
Major Compounds: a-Pinene, B-Pinene, Sabinene, Myrcene, Limonene, y-Terpinene, Terpinolene, Octanal, Nonanal, Tetradecanal, Pentadecanal, Trans-a-bergaptene, Caryophyllene, B-bisabolene, Geranial, Neryl Acetate, Geranyl Acetate, a-Terpineo, Linalool
Perfumery Note: Top
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Color: Light Green With a Hint of Orange/Yellow
Indigenous Country: South Africa
Cultivation: Unsprayed
Processing Methods: Cold Pressed/Expressed
Part Typically Used: Citrus Rind (Peel)
Shelf Life: 2-3 years

Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Catarrh Cellulite Obesity Rheumatism Skin : Oily Skin : Sweaty Water Retention Weakness : Lack of Mental or Physical Strength

Therapeutic Benefits of Lime:

Analgesic Anti-anxiety Anti-bacterial Anti-depressant Anti-fungal Anti-infectious Anti-inflammatory Anti-microbial Anti-oxidant Anti-viral Astringent CNS tonic Cooling Digestive tonic Diuretic Immuno-stimulant Lymph decongest Lymphatic support Tonic Tonifying

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Lime:

Lime oil may irritate the skin.

Cold pressed Lime Essential Oil isphototoxic. Steam distilled Lime Oil isnotphototoxic. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 0.7% for the cold pressed oil to avoid the risk of a phototoxic reaction. They precaution to avoid topical use of Lime Oil, regardless of method of distillation, if it has oxidized. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 87, 336-338.]

Safety Precautions for Lime:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.