Have you ever heard of a liquid whose few drops have the potential to make you feel cool, fresh, and uplifting in the wink of an eye? Can make you and your surroundings clean and calm? Can it save you from your worst enemies − mosquitoes and insects? We know that you’re surprised and are going to say “no”. We would have said “yes” if you had asked the same question of us. Let’s break the silence! That magical liquid is called “Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil” and has gained great popularity in the last ten years! In this article, we have a lot of important things and facts to share with you. We are sure that by reading this article completely, you’ll end up knowing a diamond secret to pave your way to a clean, healthy, and cool life! So, let’s get started.
What is Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil?
Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is the oil extracted from the leaves of a tree commonly known as “Lemon Scented Gum”. This special tree has its name after Latin and is called “Corymbia Citriodora.” Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Corymbia Citriodora and has been used as an herbal remedy for some common health conditions.
This essential oil is, on a large scale, produced in China and Brazil and then exported to other countries of the world. When distilled, the oil can be converted into two forms: refined and unrefined. Both forms are used for different purposes.
Is There Any Difference Between Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil?
Yes. Of course! The source trees of these two essential oils are different. Well, there is only one exception- the trees from which both oils are obtained belong to the same tribe/family “Eucalypteae”. However, let’s take a look below to get a clear idea of the differences between the two:
- Lemon Eucalyptus oil is obtained from a tree that has the scent of Lemon in its leaves, while the Eucalyptus essential oil source tree just has a cool refreshing fragrance.
- Eucalyptus essential oil has its production origin in Australia, but on the other hand, the production of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is mainly made in China and Brazil.
- Lemon essential oil is rich in a chemical component called “citronellal” that is responsible for its Lemony scent, but no traces of this component are found in Eucalyptus essential oil.
What Benefits or Uses Can You Get from Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil?
Eucalyptus is an ancient tree, and the oils extracted from all of its species have been used as a helping tool for some health conditions. As you’ve now got the introduction of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil, now let’s take a look at its medicinal properties, benefits, and the other uses we get from it.
- The first and foremost benefit of this essential oil is that various scientific investigations have proved that it helps keep mosquitoes, ticks, and other types of bugs away from your body and your home! A lot of insect repellent products have a high quantity of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil in them.
- A lot of people have commented by using this oil personally that it helped them healing their wounds and relieve pain in muscles and joints.
- Similar to Eucalyptus essential oil, Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil also helps people in rejuvenating respiratory conditions such as asthma, cough, cold, and chest congestion.
- Due to its Lemony refreshing aroma, this oil is used throughout the world in diffusers to get a positive and cool atmosphere, especially in the summer season. You can add a few drops mixed with water into a diffuser and enjoy its benefits.
- The active chemical components in this oil play a vital role in cleansing. Here, by cleansing, we mean the cleansing of your skin and any surface you like! But keep in mind that you must dilute it before using it for your skin. You can blend a few drops of it with any other carrier oil of your choice. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and use it to clean your skin and other surfaces.
- The unrefined form of this oil is also used in perfumes and other beauty products to enhance the aromatic effect.
What Makes This Oil a Strong Mosquito Repellent?
Let’s understand the science behind it. There is a chemical ingredient, called p-methane 3,8-diol (PMD), present in Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil. PMD itself is a very powerful mosquito repellent, but the quantity of this component is small when this oil is in its unrefined form, and the oil doesn’t prove to be a strong repellent for mosquitoes and bugs. Then, the oil is refined by a special procedure, and the citronellal content of the oil is turned into cis- and trans- isomers of PMD. This process increases PMD content and makes this oil a strong repellent for mosquitoes.
Can Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil be Used for Pets?
Whether you ask, “Is Eucalyptus essential oil safe for dogs?” or “Is Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil safe for cats?” Our answer would be “No, it’s not. Every oil of the Eucalyptus tree family can be harmful to your pets. However, if you wisely and safely use these oils on pets, they can be very helpful in keeping the pet clean from bugs and ticks! Well, the top reason why Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is not safe for pets is that these oils have a very strong scent, and cats and dogs are susceptible to scents. Even mild scents can prove to be a reason for irritation and frustration for your dear pets. So, avoid directly applying them to pets.
What are The Possible Side-effects of Using Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil for You?
A thing that is beneficial for us can also carry some drawbacks if not used properly and safely. Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is a good cleansing liquid but it would be worth noting the following facts about it.
- Generally, its direct application to skin is okay for many of us, but people with sensitive skin should avoid applying it directly. They can use it by mixing it into any other carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil etc.
- A lot of cold-cough relieving products use this oil. If you consume any of these products or the oil itself by mouth, it can cause severe stomach problems or sometimes death. So, never make this mistake!
- You want to save your baby from mosquitoes or bugs, no doubt, but always use the products that have a moderate quantity of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil. Consult your doctor for other safe uses. Also, pregnant women must not use it without their doctor’s advice.
- If you diffuse it many times a day in an area that is not much ventilated friendly, so, inhaling too much of this oil can make you feel dizzy, and it also can cause nausea, according to modern research.
What You Can Do if You’ve Become the Victim of Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Poisoning?
The very first thing you must do is “stop worrying”! You might get so tense about yourself if you feel or see any symptoms of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil poisoning. Instead of taking tension, you must take these steps:
- If you’ve accidentally ingested this oil, drink plenty of water and seek treatment from a medical specialist as soon as you can.
- In the case of skin damage due to directly applying it, you must wash your face with cool water and fix an appointment with a skin specialist.
- Negative effects of over-diffusion can be severe. Get out of the area where you’ve diffused this oil in and spend a decent amount of time in the fresh air as soon as possible.
Can Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil be A Substitute for A Medical Specialist Consultation?
The answer to this question is a big “No”, because this Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil cannot replace a medical specialist’s prescription, honestly. Although it has a relieving effect on general wounds and cuts but one cannot depend only upon it in a particular condition, e.g., “Tetanus”. Similarly, no doubt, this oil is beneficial for respiratory ailments, but one has to visit a medical professional in case of severe chest congestion, e.g.,” Bronchitis”, without depending totally upon this essential oil.
Bottom Line
Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is the oil extracted from the leaves of the Lemon Eucalyptus tree. It’s not a citrus oil, but its aroma is similar to that of Lemon. It has been used for cold relief, pain relief, cleanser, and mosquito/bug repellent for decades. Aromatherapists also recommend its diffusion for dealing with many health conditions. However, despite being beneficial for us, it also carries some side effects if not used in a proper and safe manner, and furthermore, it should not be considered as a substitute for any medical specialist.
