Wart Treatments

Perhaps you're a user of essential oils, and you really appreciate their incredible array of fantastic health effects. You know that Lavender can help you relax, and Frankincense has impressive immune-system boosting activity. Or maybe you've never used an essential oil at all, and are wondering where to get started? Either way, Lemon oil is practically a requirement for every burgeoning aromatherapy practitioner. Often overlooked by the aromatherapy enthusiast, yet readily available and reasonably-priced, Lemon has a host of uses, some of which are completely unexpected in their profound results for our health.

Many people are introduced to Lemon essential oil by someone suggesting putting a few drops in their water throughout the day. It may be to simply make tap water taste better, make the water "cleaner", or a suggestion to enhance detoxification and even weight loss. Well, the reality is that Lemon will do all these things! While there's a pervading miss-perception that essential oils should not be ingested, it's clear that this is actually an oil directly from a food we might eat every day (ok, so we don't eat the peels, but no one ever said they would kill you!)

Research has shown the essential oil can kill pathogenic bacteria in water at a concentration of 1/5th of one percent. That's 1/500th of the total amount of fluid. This amounts to 1 milliliter per 500 milliliters of water, or 20 drops per half liter. Got it? Now that's really only for purification of water that has detectable amounts of certain bacteria — not a concentration we need to use all the time. Something a little more reasonable is 5 drops in a good size glass. This will have the effect of purifying your water, and follows a protocol for actually cleansing your liver as well. This is a perfect thing to do first thing in the morning, or anytime your stomach is empty. And even if you're not going through a cleanse at the moment, adding a few drops to your water now and then is an excellent idea to maintain your body's toxin elimination systems.

Lemon has excellent antiseptic properties, which means it kills bacteria on our skin's surface. For this reason, it can be used for acne-prone skin — because of its photo-toxicity however, this should not be done if the skin is to be exposed to direct sunlight in the following 48 hours. Yet you CAN still use the oil to remove warts — putting one drop on location 1 to 3 times per day can dissolve warts effectively. Want to use this antiseptic quality, but don't want to use it on your skin? Do the same thing on your kitchen counter tops! For a super eco-friendly cleaner, mix 2 cups water with 2 cups white vinegar, then add 20 to 30 drops of your essential oil. You can use this to clean nearly everything, with a really appealing fresh scent when you're done.

Some of the most impressive and unexpected therapeutic effects of Lemon essential oil are simply from its aroma. Battaglia in "The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy" notes the: "oil is reputed to have High Vibrations, which can lift the spirits and overcome mental fatigue…(it) clears the mind very effectively and is said to aid in the decision making process without over-stimulating". The oil's vapor, as one would experience with a diffuser has a scientifically-researched anti-depressant, anti-anxiety action. Interestingly, the aroma interacts with both our dopamine and serotonin systems to produce this effect.

It's not just an emotional pick-me-up Lemon offers, but one to our calculating brains as well. Research in Japan showed office workers reducing their errors by nearly one-half when inhaling the aroma. The essential oil has been the focus of university research which clearly indicated chemical changes in our gray matter: Lemon essential oil reduces the rate at which acetylcholine is broken down, making more available for use. Acetylcholine is the primary information-processing neurotransmitter — so whether its from putting a smile on our faces or making more neurotransmitters available, simple lemon oil is a great choice for students when studying, the office environment, or anytime a little mental clarity is called for.

As you can see, there's a lot more to lemon essential oil than we usually give it credit for. We can ingest it for detoxification, purify our water with it, clean with it, and inhale it for mental and emotional stimulation. Who would have thought!