Lime Essential Oil (Citrus aurantifolia)

Method of Extraction: Cold Pressed/Expressed

Plant Part Used: Citrus Rind (Peel).

Color: Light Green with a Hint of Orange/Yellow.

Consistency: Thin.

Perfumery Note: Top.

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Fresh, citrusy, sweet and slightly tart.

• Acne.
• Asthma.
• Chilblains.
• Colds.
• Dull Skin.
• Flu.
• Varicose Veins.

Source: Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 125.

Adults: Usually, a 2-3% dilution is suitable, about 12-18 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Children (5-10), Frail Elderly, Sensitive Skin: A lower dilution of 1% or less (6 drops per ounce).

Facial or Sensitive Areas: Use a 0.5-1% dilution (3-6 drops per ounce).

Acute or Short-Term Use: For resolving a specific issue, a marginally higher dilution can be used for a period of 2-3 weeks as necessary.

a-Pinene. B-Pinene. Sabinene. Myrcene. Limonene. y-Terpinene. Terpinolene. Octanal. Nonanal. Tetradecanal. Pentadecanal. Trans-a-bergaptene. Caryophyllene. B-bisabolene. Geranial. Neryl Acetate. Geranyl Acetate. a-Terpineo. Linalool.

Sources: B. Lawrence. Lime Oil (Perfumer & Flavorist 31, August/September 1987), 31, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 177.

Cold pressed Lime Essential Oil is phototoxic. Steam distilled Lime Oil is not phototoxic. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 0.7% for the cold pressed oil to avoid the risk of a phototoxic reaction. They precaution to avoid topical use of Lime Oil, regardless of method of distillation, if it has oxidized.

Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 87, 336-338.]