Lime oil

Common Name:  Lime oil

Botanical Name:  Citrus aurantifolia

Other Names:  Citrus lima, Limettier, Lime oil, Limonia aurantifolia, Citrus hystrix

Introduction

Lime oil is obtained from Citrus aurantifolia which is also referred as Citrus medica var. acida and C. Latifolia. It belongs to the Rutaceae family and is known by other common names like West Indian and Mexican lime including sour lime. This essential oil has a strong citrus peel odor and is light olive to pale yellow in color. It is native to Asia and is cultivated in all warm countries especially in the West Indies, the Americas and Italy. It is an evergreen tree ad grows up to 15 feet with smooth green leaves with sharp stiff spines bearing white and small flowers.

Although the fruit is green in color but it also has other varieties which usually measures about two inches in diameter. Lime oil is usually extracted through distillation or expression. Here the peel of the unripe skin is used through cold expression or the entire ripe fruit through steam distillation. The lime oil that is produced through steam distillation through fruit rinds does not have photo effect on skin.

Uses of Lime oil

Lime oil is widely used in aromatherapy industry and helps to calm down fever, sore throat infection and flu. It also aids the immune system by easing coughs, sinusitis, bronchitis as well as healing asthma. It can also stimulate and refresh a tired mind and brings relief from headache. It readily blends with other essential oils too.

Medicinal Uses: As medicine it is used as:

• Antiseptic
• Antiviral
• Antiviral
• Astringent
• Bactericidal

It is very effectively used in arthritis, joints and muscle pains.