LEMON + LIME + LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND

Lemon, lime, and lemongrass essential oils can help to restore a zest for life by uplifting a low mood. Each of these essential oils can be used to clear mental fog helping you to focus more clearly and pursue the day with purpose. When using this in the diffuser it’s as if a ray of sunshine is spread in the room encouraging a positive outlook.

I like to play with mixing different essential oils in the diffuser and first discovered this blend because I wanted to use one of my favorite oils, lemongrass, and thought it would be nice to add an equal amount of lemon and lime for their cleansing scent. I used to be a big-time lover of anything with the perfume fragrance lime; I would stock up on sale days from the bath supplies store in the mall. Over time, I developed a sensitivity towards these perfumes, and even though I couldn’t use it I still held on to my last bottle of lime body spray – just in case I would spontaneously be able to tolerate it again.

While this bottle sat unused under my bathroom sink, I discovered the beautiful essential oils of doTERRA. It felt freeing to use them as I had perfumes before because I didn’t have sensitivity issues with the essential oils. I felt comfortable using them throughout my home and with hygiene to finally smell pretty! As crunchy as I can be by foregoing unsafe detergents and chemical based cleansers, I still want things to smell pretty. With essential oils, now everything in my home doesn’t have to smell like vinegar after I’ve cleaned it, and I certainly don’t have to go scent free anymore! I can finally pick and choose a scent to compliment my mood for the day. On days that I want to feel upbeat and sunny, I pick citrus essential oils. A blend that I come back to over and over is equal parts of lemon, lime, and lemongrass.

Some of my friends know that I can be the very definition of frugal. Even I get on my own nerves with how cost conscious I can be, which makes it even more delightful that these three bottles combined cost $33 with my doTERRA membership. This is far less than I would spend in the mall store and these essential oils can be used for a large variety of purposes making more bang for my buck. It is very easy to have your own doTERRA membership that will automatically save you 25% off retail price with every purchase. Just follow this link to sign-up and start using essential oils.

DIFFUSER BLEND

The diffuser is how I first discovered the mental benefits of this blend and is my top favorite way to use this essential oils blend. Using the Petal water diffuser (pictured above) fill with water to red line, add:

4 drops of each lemon, lime, and lemongrass essential oils

LIVER HEALTH ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND

Citrus oils are beneficial for liver health and can be used topically over the abdomen. I mainly use this blend during cooler temperatures like fall and winter, almost never during spring or summer to avoid accidental sun exposure. Never use citrus oils topically on skin that will be exposed to sun light.

Using a 5mL roller bottle, add:

2 drops of each lemon, lime, and lemongrass essential oil
Finish filling bottle with avocado oil as carrier

How to Use:
Apply oil blend to center of abdomen and rub in using a circular motion. This blend may cause sun sensitivity, do not use on skin exposed to sun light.

FRUIT and VEGETABLE WASH

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Braggs apple cider vinegar
3 drops each of lemon, lime, lemongrass essential oils

How to Use:
Place vegetables in bowl, cover with water and wash mixture. Soak vegetables for five minutes and pour off wash and rinse. This is best used for vegetables and fruits that you would eat the skins, such as cucumbers and tomatoes in the Kale Basil Salad.

CLEANING WITH CITRUS OILS

Citrus oils are desired for their excellent cleansing abilities to remove oil residue and adhesive residues. This is why many off the shelf department store cleaners are lemon scented. Instead of purchasing a pre-made cleanser, mix up these easy common household cleaners allowing you to reduce your chemical exposure while cleaning the home in a natural way.

Household Cleaning Solution

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1 Tbsp castile soap
1 Tbsp rubbing alcohol
5-7 drops each lemon, lime, lemongrass essential oils
Optional 20 drops On Guard Blend

How to Use:
Add all ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well and use to clean the kitchen, bathroom, door knobs, or any frequently touched surface in the home. Store the mixed bottle in a cool dark place. I rotate essential oils with this cleaning solution recipe between using the On Guard blend or lemon, lime, and lemongrass.

Sticky Glue Residue Remover

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon avocado oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
1 drop each of lime and lemongrass essential oils

How to Use:
Apply oil mixture to sticky glue residue and massage into the glue. Allow to rest for 5 minutes and rub off with cloth. This can be used for any glue residue left by stickers or tape on walls from hanging up the toddlers prized artwork.

Soap Scum Remover

Ingredients:

2 cups hot water
1/4 – 1/2 cup borax
3 drops each of lemon, lime, lemongrass essential oils

How to Use:
Add ingredients into a spray bottle, shake well, spray on surfaces with soap scum and wipe clean. Use this cleaner regularly to avoid soap scum buildup in the sink and bathtub or shower. Store bottle in a cool dark place.

Carpet Freshener

Ingredients:

2 cups baking soda
3 drops each of lemon, lime, lemongrass essential oils
10 drops grapefruit essential oil, optional

How to Use:
Combine all ingredients in container. Sprinkle on carpet and allow to rest for 20 minutes then vacuum thoroughly. If you are using this to reduce pet odor, do not let the pets come in contact with the floor for four hours.

Oven Cleaner Paste

Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon castile soap
3 drops each of lemon, lime, lemongrass essential oils
Optional: 6 drops Purify Cleansing Blend

How to Use:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl to form a paste. Apply paste with a damp sponge or your hand and let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub clean with fine steel wool, or abrasive sponge and wipe clean with a damp cloth. This oven needed two treatments, the second I only waited 5 minutes. It was so clean I could see my reflection in it afterwards.

Pet Safety:

When using these essential oils around pets, use caution and do so at your own choice. The safety of essential oils with pets has not been studied well. I have a dog who I use essentials around and with, she has never shown an adverse reaction to any of the essential oils.
Homes with cats should omit lemongrass if the cat will be in direct contact with the oil when using these recipes.
All oils in this blend are generally regarded as safe for dogs.
All oils in this blend are generally regarded as safe for birds, though shouldn’t be used in close proximity to them.