Lemon essential oil is one of the best oils to keep on hand to use around the house, whether it be in cooking, cleaning or bath and body products. Try some of these recipes to see just how easy it is to incorporate lemon oil into your routines.
Cooking
Lemon is a great way to add flavor to chicken, shrimp and fish but it also works great in desserts. Instead of using lemon juice or zest, try some recipes using lemon essential oil.
Lemon Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 10 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg, yolk only
- 1 large egg
- 3 drops lemon essential oil
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all ingredients together, except for the powdered sugar, until thoroughly combined Roll into 1 ½ inch balls and roll around in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart from each other. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes. Don’t allow the tops and edges to turn golden brown. The cookies are done wen you slide a spatula underneath and reveal bottoms that are a light golden brown. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.
Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Thyme Essential Oils
Ingredients
- Whole chicken
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 drops lemon essential oil
- 4 drops thyme oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- sprinkle of dried oregano
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the oils, salt and pepper together in a small bowl and set aside. Place the whole chicken in a roasting pan, breast side up, and remove giblets from cavity. Using a silicone baking brush, cover the entire outside of the chicken with your oil mixture. If there’s some leftover, pour the remainder into the cavity of the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with the dried oregano. Place lemon and onion slices in the bottom of the roasting pan around the chicken and in the cavity as well. Add a little water to the pan, just enough to barely cover the bottom. Put in the oven and cook for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the pan out of the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Note: When cooking with essential oils, always make sure that your chosen brand is labeled GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).
Cleaning
Lemon is a powerful yet natural disinfectant. You can add it to store-bought cleaning products for an added boost in cleaning power but it’s quick and easy to make your own homemade cleaners at home that are chemical and toxin free.
Lemon Streak-Free Cleaner
Ingredients
- 11 ounce aluminum spray bottle
- 5 ounces distilled water
- 5 ounces white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
Directions
Mix the water and vinegar together in a large bowl. Add baking soda a little bit at a time so that the mixture doesn’t fizz up and overflow. Add the lemon oil and mix well. Pour into a spray bottle. Safe to use throughout the entire home but is really great for removing grease and grime from the kitchen and bathroom.
Other Tips
- Diffuse the oil throughout a room to disinfect the air and leave a fresh scent.
- Add a couple drops to the rinse cycle when doing the laundry for an added boost of freshness.
- Soak a small tissue in lemon oil and then suck it up with the vacuum. It will help to remove the musty smell from the vacuum.
- If an article of clothing has a stain, rub a couple drops of lemon oil directly on the stained area before throwing it in the wash.
Body Care
Lemon oil can be a great ingredient to keep in your skin care kit. It tones the skin and can also help fight acne due to its antibacterial properties.
Citrus Body Wash
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- ¼ cup aloe vera gel
- ¾ teaspoon guar gum
- ¾ cup soap base
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops orange essential oil
- 5 drops lime essential oil
Directions
Melt the shea butter over low heat in a double boiler. Add aloe vera gel and slightly warm. Remove from heat. Add gum and stir well with a whisk. Add the soap base next and mix very well. An immersion blender may be needed. Foam is normal. Once the mixture is cool, add in the essential oils and stir again. Pour into a container, such as a recycled body wash container.
Homemade Teeth Whitener
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 mashed strawberry
- 3 drops lemon essential oil
Directions
Mix baking soda with the strawberry until a paste forms. Add in essential oil drops. Put the paste mixture on your toothbrush and brush like normal for 2 minutes. Rinse your mouth and then brush again with normal tooth paste. Use the whitener immediately after preparing but it may be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 days. Mix well before each use and check for spoilage.
Lemon Facial Cleanser
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon natural yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 drops lemon essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together. Soak a cotton wool pad in the mixture and use it to remove makeup.
Lemon Facial Cleansing Cream
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 3 tablespoons jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon borax
- 6 drops lemon essential oil
Directions
Melt the beeswax in a saucepan, using low heat. Add the jojoba oil (you may substitute coconut oil if you would like) and beat, using a hand mixer, for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to resemble a cream. Heat the witch hazel and lemon juice in a different saucepan until just barely warm and then stir in the borax. Stir to dissolve. Add this mixture to the cream and beat with a mixing spoon until completely combined Set aside until the cream has cooled to room temperature. Mix in the lemon oil and then place in an airtight container.
