Lemon Oil 101 | Cook's Country (2024)

FAQs

Where did lemon oil originate? ›

History of Lemon Oil

Lemons were originally seen as decorative, and once the fruits' beautiful aroma and healing properties were discovered, Lemon oil was cultivated. It was actually first grown in India, and now it is one of the most widely used fruits in the world.

Lemon essential oil is derived from the skin or peels of lemons, while lemongrass essential oil is extracted from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant. This distinction in plant sources contributes to their differences in chemical composition and benefits. Yes, the parent plants are completely different.

Don't get lemon oil and lemon extract confused: Lemon oil is more concentrated in flavor. Some tasters pick up on a slightly artificial flavor in lemon extract, which is why we prefer lemon oil for its real lemon flavor.

The lemon (Citrus × limon) is a species of small evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to Asia, primarily Northeast India (Assam), Northern Myanmar, and China.

Since antiquity, lemon trees have been considered a valuable luxury and a symbol of prosperity. Their fruit is a symbol of the Mediterranean lifestyle, sunny outdoors, blue skies and leafy greens. Lemons' sunny yellow evokes energy, light, warmth.

Pregnant and nursing women and those taking prescription drugs are especially advised not to use Lemon Essential Oil without the medical advice of a physician. The oil should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.

Never apply essential oils directly to your skin. You can also inhale lemongrass essential oil directly. Add a few drops to a cotton ball or handkerchief and breathe in the aroma. Some people massage the diluted essential oil into their temples to help relieve headaches.

You will need: 6 whole lemons. 3 cups carrier oil (grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, and coconut oil are all great choices).

How many drops of lemon oil equals one lemon? ›

1 drop is equivalent to the juice of 2 lemons!! Lemon oil is amazing because it is Fat Soluble and doesn't erode enamel on your teeth or cause the feeling of "acid in the stomach". So enjoy your glass of lemon water and know you are helping your body cleanse with each drink!

However, if you don't have a bottle of lemon essential oil to hand, why not use the juice of a real lemon instead? After all, lemon essential oil is essentially extracted from the peel of the lemon fruit, so it makes sense that you can use both the real fruit or the oil for some common purposes.

In Asia and Africa, lemongrass has been used in cooking and as an herbal remedy for thousands of years. While the commercial distillation of lemongrass essential oil for export reportedly began in the 17th century in the Philippines, lemongrass wasn't widely distributed until the last hundred years or so.

It's extracted from the peel of fresh lemons through steam extraction, or less often, through a “cold-pressing” process that pricks and rotates the peel as oil is released.

The drink was invented sometime in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday, the founder and proprietor of Henry Africa's bar in San Francisco, California. Variations of the drink exist, such as blueberry and raspberry lemon drops, and some recipes that call for simple syrup.

Lemon essential oil comes from the Citrus limonum plant, a member of the Rutaceae family. This evergreen tree is native to Asia, particularly India and China. It is now widely cultivated in Mediterranean countries and the United States.