COMMON NAME: Green Lemon, Cedro Oil

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrus limon, C. limonum

FAMILY NAME: Rutaceae (Rue)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Southeast Asia, India, naturalized throughout Mediterranean

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: USA, Italy, Sicily, Cyprus, South America

HISTORY INFORMATION: The Egyptians used it as an antidote to meat and fish poisoning and typhoid epidemics. The lemon tree was introduced into Europe when soldiers returned from the Crusades. Lemons were used by sailors to stay healthy and avoid vitamin C deficiencies while on long sea voyages. Used extensively for infectious illnesses. In England, lemon oil was used in hospitals to freshen the air and neutralize unpleasant body odors. Columbus introduced the lemon tree to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in 1493.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Thought to be antiseptic. This may only be true for the juice and not the essential oil as the oil looses this property a few weeks after it is pressed. Lemon is derived from the Arab laimun and Persian limun meaning "citrus". The oil from green fruit is said to be better. Cedro oil is the oil of lemon with the terpenes removed. Italian lemon and California lemon can differ in constituents.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A small evergreen tree growing up to 20 feet high with serrated oval leaves, stiff thorns and very fragrant white flowers producing green fruits that turn yellow when ripe.

PARTS PROCESSED: Fresh peel.

PROCESSING METHODS: Cold pressing.

COLOR RANGE: Green - yellow.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Monoterpene. Limonene up to 70%, terpinene, pinene, sabinene, myrecene, citral, linalool.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, antineuralgic, antipruritic, antirheumatic, antisclerotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antistress, antitoxic, antitussive, aperitive, astringent, blood purifier, calmative, carminative, cephalic, cicatrizant, coagulant, cooling, decongestant, depurative, detoxifier, diaphoretic, digestive, disinfectant, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, hemostatic, hepatic, hypotensor, insect repellent, insecticide, invigorating (immune system), laxative, parasiticide, refreshing, rubefacient, sedative, stimulant (circulatory and lymphatic systems), stomachic, tonic, uplifting, vermifuge. Used to cool, purify, calm, relax, reduce stress, promote sleep, uplift moods, refresh, revive, improve mental clarity and alertness, improve memory, disinfect, soothe insect bites. Will reduce blood viscosity and help to break up plague deposits so use to reduce cholesterol.

MENTAL USES: I can feel my pain and work through it. I like to feel. I can feel good and bad and all the feelings in between.

EMOTIONAL USES: Unwilling to feel, numb, worried, in unbearable pain, alcoholic or partner or lover is alcoholic TO able to feel your feelings, pain is bearable and can be processed easily, feel strong.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are holding pain within your energy field. There could be addictive patterning especially alcoholic tendencies that have been inherited and need to be cleared and healed so that you can become a more spiritual being. When one finds pain or disappointment in the world, it is an easy step to want to avoid the pain and escape. Our culture trains us to do it. The trick is to learn to love ourselves even in the worst of circumstances. Lemon clears the energy field of alcohol and any damage that has occurred. Lemon promotes soul connection and becoming more aware of your spiritual being. It allows you to move through your pain and get your spiritual connection to fall in love with yourself and your world no matter how ugly or unpleasant it is.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath (may need fixed oil), cleanser - household, diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, massage, mist spray.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic, irritates sensitive skin, phototoxic so stay out of sunlight after using on skin.