Instead of keeping electronics on your bedside table, place a sliced lemon there instead. Why? Lemon’s don’t only smell refreshing, but their aroma is good for your body too.
Lemons contain an essential oil called limonene, which can help alleviate breathing problems associated with asthma, the common cold, or allergies. The next morning you’ll notice your throat and air passages are more clear.
Although keeping a sliced lemon next to your bedside at night will help, using lemon essential oil is even more effective.
Lemon essential oil provides your body with many different health benefits (1), all thanks to the compound limonene, which is found in the rind of most citrus fruit (especially lemon).
Health Benefits of Lemon Aromatherapy:
1. Reduces anxiety and stress by means of activating an adenosine A(2A) receptor on cell membranes. Lack of activation of these receptors is associated with insomnia, anxiety, and impaired dopamine transmission (2).
2. Improves cognitive performance. One study found that ingestion of lemon balm can modulate both the mood and cognitive performance of individuals in a dose- and time-dependent manner (3).
3. Eases and prevents asthma. Limonene attaches to extra electrons and depletes ozone molecules. One study found that inhaling limonene (such as that found in lemons) staunched asthma reactions and reduced inflammation (4).
4. Anti-inflammatory properties and so can be used as an effective pain relief tool. (5)
5. Freshens the air without the use of harsh chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system and cause respiratory and skin issues.
6. Kills bacteria that cause strep, staph and pneumonia. It inhibits their growth and prevents them from adhering to saliva-coated surfaces. (6)
7. Prevents the growth of cancer in the breast and liver. Scent receptors in liver cells respond to limonene and reduce cell growth of cancer by increasing calcium concentration inside the cells (7). Limonene is also highly fat soluble, and so it accumulates in fatty tissue such as breast tissue, and fortifies the function of NF-kappaB (a molecule that acts similar to an ambulance in times of need) (8).
8. All-natural insect repellant. Get rid of any insect repellants with DEET as the ingredient. This is incredibly toxic to the human body. So much so that even the Environmental Protection Agency says you should wash it off your skin when you return indoors, avoid breathing it in, and to avoid spraying directly in the face.
9. Reduces blood pressure. This also relates to its calming effects, but smelling lemon essential oil, or just lemon itself helps reduce blood pressure and relax the body.
Lemon Essential Oil Can Also Be Used For:
– Cleaning the house
– Clearing dandruff and nourishing the scalp
– Soothing a sore throat
– Curing a yeast infection
– Clearing and toning the skin
So whether you want to grow your own lemon tree, stick some lemons next to your bedside, or diffuse some lemon essential oil around your home, you’ll be sure to reap some of the amazing benefits this little fruit has to offer!
If using fresh lemons by the bedside how often should you change them out?
Once a day!