Lemon
Lemon Essential Oil in Chinese Medicine
Common Name: Lemon
Botanical Name: Citrus limonum
Pin Yin Name: Níngméng pí
Main Acupressure Channels Activated by Lemon Essential Oil:
- Wood Element (Liver, Gallbladder), Earth Element (Spleen, Stomach)
- Learn How to Apply Self-Acupressure Linked Here!
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Imbalances Treated with Lemon Essential Oil in Chinese Medicine
Citrus varieties generally have a soothing effect on the Liver clearing Heat resulting from Liver Congestion. In this way, lemon helps to unbind negative emotions and lift the spirit. Liver Qi Stagnation can also result in irritability and insomnia, especially when fraught with worry as lemon essential oil supports the Earth Element as well as the Wood Element of Chinese medicine.
Lemon is excellent at clearing Damp-Heat and is therefore used for conditions such as lymphatic congestion, 
cellulite, high cholesterol, and arterial wall plaque. As a highly cleansing essential oil, lemon is an anti-infectant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-fungal substance. Pain syndromes with indications of Internal Dampness, or Damp-Bi obstructions are also addressed using combinations that include lemon essential oils. Additionally, by detoxifying, it helps clear up Blood Stagnation that may lead to pain syndromes or disease.
Lemon essential oils is typically used as part of a more complex essential oil remedy rather than as a single (by itself).
Properties: Cool, dry, astringing
Nature: Stimulating, expansive, detoxifying, uplifting, clarifying, restoring, cleansing, toning
Imbalances Treated with Lemon Essential Oil in Chinese Medicine
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, each energetic organ system is assigned to one of the Five Elements. Each element has both physical and emotional symptoms that would indicate imbalances in one or more of the related organ systems Learn more here!
Water Element Energetic Organ Systems: Kidney, Urinary Bladder
Wood Element 
Energetic Organ Systems: Liver, Gallbladder
- Liver Fire
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Rib distention and tenderness
- Jaundice
- Depression
- Red eyes
- High Blood Pressure
- Gallbladder congestion
- Acid Reflux
- Poor judgement or decision making
- Arthritis (Damp-Bi)
- Lack of motivation
- Inability to visualize the future
- Unforgiving to others and self
Fire Element Energetic Organ Systems: Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, San Jiao
- Insomnia
- Arteriosclerosis
- Hypertension
- Mental fatigue-confusion
- Poor concentration
- Poor memory
- Lack of joy
- Lack of emotional or sexual warmth
- Inability to bring projects to fruition
Earth Element Energetic Organ Systems: Spleen, Stomach
- Pathogenic Dampness
- Foggy head
- Worry
- Acid Reflux
- Vomiting
- Abdominal fullness
- Indigestion
- Varicose veins
- Spider veins
- Hemorrhoids
- Pancreatic conditions
- Breast distention and tenderness
Metal Element Energetic Organ Systems: Lung, Large Intestine
- Sinusitis (with Dampness)
- Skin conditions
- Aging skin
- Trust issues
- Low self-esteem
- Judgmental and harsh of others and self
Plant description: Small, evergreen, citrus trees grow in temperate tropical climates protected from freeze. The tree originated in Asia; Florida and California are some of the largest producers of lemon essential oils today. It is also commonly grown in Spain, Italy, and Argentina. The flowers are highly aromatic and beneficial as well but are typically found as hydrosols rather than essential oils.
Part used: Fresh peel and rind
Note: Top or head note that fades quickly if not combined with essential oils that are heavier
Safety and Contraindications
- No known cumulative toxicity
- Phototoxic: may enhance the intensity of sun exposure
- Should be diluted before application
- Recommendations for topical use only
- Pregnant or nursing women and children-infants should only use essential oils under the guidance of their local practitioner
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Liu B, Kou J, Li F, Huo D, Xu J, Zhou X, Meng D, Ghulam M, Artyom B, Gao X, Ma N, Han D. Lemon essential oil ameliorates age-associated cognitive dysfunction via modulating hippocampal synaptic density and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 May 11;12(9):8622-8639. doi: 10.18632/aging.103179. Epub 2020 May 11. PMID: 32392535; PMCID: PMC7244039.
Den Hartogh DJ, Tsiani E. Antidiabetic Properties of Naringenin: A Citrus Fruit Polyphenol. Biomolecules. 2019 Mar 12;9(3):99. doi: 10.3390/biom9030099. PMID: 30871083; PMCID: PMC6468535.
Vieira AJ, Beserra FP, Souza MC, Totti BM, Rozza AL. Limonene: aroma of innovation in health and disease. Chem Biol Interact. 2018; 283:97–106. 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.02.007
Dosoky NS, Setzer WN. Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 5;19(7):1966. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071966. PMID: 29976894; PMCID: PMC6073409.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.