Skip to main content

Lemon Essential Oil Uses & Benefits

What is Lemon essential oil and what is it good for?

Lemon essential oil is your go-to burst of sunshine in a bottle. This zesty oil is extracted from the peels of the Citrus limon fruit and is renowned for its refreshing aroma and range of uses. Looking to freshen up your home? Add lemony cleansing power to that multisurface cleaning solution? Or give that dish a citrusy kick? A few drops of Lemon oil have you covered.

Harvesting the power of the lemon plant

Did you know it takes about 75 lemons to make just one 15 ml bottle of our Lemon essential oil? The lemon tree, part of the evergreen family, originally hails from Asia and can grow up to 20 feet tall. It wasn’t until the 16th century that these citrus wonders made their way to Europe, bringing their bright zest and potent benefits with them.

How is Lemon essential oil made?

Extracting Lemon oil from lemon peels involves a process called cold pressing. This method presses the rinds of the Citrus limon fruit to obtain the oil trapped inside. There are a few different methods that fall under the cold pressing category, from smashing the entire fruit and then separating the oil from the juice and pulp to using rasps or spikes combined with water to remove and wash the oil away from the fruit. In the end, the oil and water are separated, with the oil capturing the essence of fresh lemons, including their fresh and zesty aroma and beneficial properties.

The natural composition of the oil itself

What makes Lemon essential oil so special? It’s packed with powerful constituents like limonene, alpha-pinene, and alpha-terpinene. These natural compounds are responsible for the oil’s cleansing abilities, uplifting scent, and—when ingested—its wellness-supporting properties. Whether you’re using Lemon oil to polish the surfaces in your home or enhance the flavor of your food, Lemon oil brightens every experience.

What are the uses and benefits of Lemon essential oil?

Lemon essential oil is best known for its bright aroma and versatile applications. It’s that new “zest” friend you can rely on to invigorate your senses, with a scent that inspires an uplifting environment. You can also use Lemon oil to remove sticky adhesives, battle bad odors, and enhance your culinary creations.

Benefits of Lemon essential oil

Here are only a few of the ways you can use Lemon essential oil to make lemonade of life’s sour moments.

Using Lemon oil for a fresh, zesty aroma

Diffuse Lemon essential oil in the morning to awaken your senses and brighten your day. Its invigorating scent is perfect for inspiring a bright, uplifting environment.

Using Lemon oil to flavor dishes and drinks

Add a drop of Lemon oil to your favorite sweet and savory dishes, baked goods, and beverages for a crisp, citrus flavor. It’s a natural way to enhance your recipes and enjoy the zest of lemon without the hassle of grating peels.
Note: Before using any essential oil internally, make sure the oil’s label says it’s safe for ingestion. Follow all directions on the label and remember a little essential oil can go a long way. Start by dipping a toothpick into the oil and swirling it into the dish or drink you’re preparing.

Using Lemon oil to support the immune system

When taken internally, Lemon oil may support the immune system. Simply add 1–2 drops to a vegetarian gel capsule and take it daily for immune support and overall well-being.*

Using Lemon oil to cleanse and deodorize the air

Incorporate Lemon essential oil into your dishwashing routine to help clean and deodorize your dishwasher. Its powerful cleansing properties make it an excellent addition to homemade cleaning solutions.

Using Lemon oil to remove sticky residues

Apply Lemon essential oil to non-porous surfaces to remove sticky adhesives and residues. It’s a natural and effective solution for keeping your surfaces clean and residue free.

Using Lemon oil for a fun, energetic atmosphere

Diffuse Lemon essential oil in the office, classroom, or playroom to create a lively atmosphere. Its light aroma inspires a vibrant and cheery environment.

Using Lemon oil for self-care

Apply Lemon essential oil to the bottoms of your feet to add its refreshing properties to your self-care routine.

Using Lemon oil in home cleaning products

Add Lemon oil to your floor, window, or surface cleaning solution to give them a citrusy boost of plant-based cleaning power and fresh scent.

Using Lemon oil for a refreshing drink

Add Lemon oil to a glass of water for a fresh, antioxidant-infused drink. It’s a simple way to enjoy the benefits of Lemon oil all day long.

Using Lemon oil in cooking

Mix in a drop of Lemon oil to naturally flavor your favorite sweet and savory dishes, baked goods, and beverages. Use this fun oil as an alternative to lemon peel in your recipes. Use it to create custom vinaigrettes or marinades to add a bright taste to salads or grilled meats and vegetables.

Lemon Vitality essential oil

Lemon Vitality™ essential oil makes healthy living fun and flavorful. It delivers delicious zing to your favorite drinks and foods while providing naturally derived immune support, cleansing properties, and powerful antioxidant properties.* This essential oil adds flavorful fun to both savory and sweet dishes, baked goods, grilled meats, and refreshing drinks. Savor the vibrant taste and powerful properties of lemons in every drop.

Lemon essential oil

Lemon oil brightens any day with its zesty aromatic zing and vibrant topical benefits. Diffuse it in the morning for a refreshing, aromatic pick-me-up that helps neutralize unwanted odors and invites a cheery atmosphere. Add it to your cleaning routine for a fresh, citrusy kick. Lemon is more than just another pretty scent—break it out as your secret weapon to remove sticky adhesives and residues from non-porous surfaces. Or add it to your floor, window, or multisurface cleaners for an extra-dreamy zing of lemony freshness. With constituents like limonene, alpha-pinene, and alpha-terpinene, Lemon oil brings zest and spunk to your home and self-care routines.

Lemon oil DIY blogs

What blends well with Lemon oil?

Double the lemon, double the fun! Partner Lemon essential oil with other lemon- or citrus-related oils for extra zing, including Lemongrass or Lemon Myrtle oils. Try Grapefruit or Orange essential oils to enhance the citrusy aroma when diffused with Lemon oil, or Jade Lemon oil with its unique lemon-lime scent. Melissa oil brings a relaxed herbal note that helps tone down Lemon’s intensity. Feel free to get creative and whip up blends that delight the senses.

The benefits of pre-made blends

While whipping up your own blends can be fun, pre-made blends offer a level of precision that ensures a consistent experience and a balanced aroma every time. Why settle for guesswork? Inspired by cutting-edge technology and decades of research and testing, these blends featuring Lemon essential oil are designed to aromatically lift your spirit and brighten your day. Some of our favorites include:

Lemon oil safety guidelines and notices

While Lemon essential oil is known for its bright and fresh aroma and cleansing properties, keep these safety guidelines in mind when using this oil:

Lemon oil—and other citrus oils—can cause photosensitivity

Citrus oils applied topically to the skin can cause your skin to be more light sensitive. It’s important to avoid direct sun exposure for 12–24 hours after you’ve applied Lemon or any other citrus essential oils.

Avoid using Lemon oil near eyes and ears

The eyes and ears can be more sensitive to essential oils than the rest of the body. We recommend you avoid these areas when you’re using essential oils topically. Be sure to wash any and all residue off your fingers before doing anything else—especially if you’re inserting contact lenses.

Be cautious using Lemon oil if you have health pre-conditions

Some medical pre-conditions such as epilepsy or asthma may make some more sensitive to essential oils and trigger a reaction. We highly recommend you consult with your doctor if you have concerns or questions.

Do a skin test with Lemon oil

Perform a skin test using a single drop topically at first to identify how your body is likely to react to the oil. If your skin reacts by feeling hot or turning red, you’ll want to dilute the oil with V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex (1 drop of oil per 2 drops of V-6) or with another carrier oil you choose.

If pregnant, consult your doctor before you use Lemon oil

If you’re pregnant, please consult your doctor before using any essential oils. You’ll also want to avoid contact with your eyes, inner ears, or other sensitive areas.

Use Lemon oil with caution around pets

While it’s safe to diffuse essential oils around pets, some safety guidelines should be followed when applying essential oils directly to their skin or fur. Keep in mind that your pet may have individual skin sensitivities just like you do. We recommend using fewer drops of essential oils for your pets than you would use for yourself or another person. Dilute your essential oil when applying directly to your pet’s skin or fur for the first time. Some small animals like cats metabolize essential oils differently; therefore, you’ll want to use a “slow and low” approach. Consult your veterinarian with any questions.

Where to buy Lemon essential oil

Craving something lemony yet? When it comes to essential oils, remember that not all are created equal. To verify the Seed to Seal® quality of Young Living® essential oils, our products are tested and authenticated for quality without compromise. Our Seed to Seal quality commitment ensures a top-grade product every time, going above and beyond to supervise the process all the way from planting the seeds to distilling the botanicals and collecting each drop of precious oil. Through our worldwide family of farms, we grow our aromatics sustainably and safely to ensure our oils come from solid roots our customers can trust. Pick up your first bottle and enjoy an authentic Lemon oil experience with every drop.


*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.