Summertime Fun using Citrus Essential Oils

Florida, the Land of Sunshine, not only has beautiful beaches with white sand and swaying palm tress, they are the #1 State for growing citrus fruits. Plentiful varieties of grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines, and mandarins make their way into kitchens daily. In addition to eating the fruit and drinking the juice, they are cold pressed (from the rind) for their essential oils. There are many where the oils are also distilled from the flowers, leaves and the like but we are simply discussing citrus in general. Like a genie in a bottle, the essential oils capture the essence of each juicy citrus scent for our creative aromatic endeavors. One of my favorites is Blood Orange which has a bold citrusy-orange note that always seems to add a bit of happiness to each blend.

Citrus oils are considered energizing aromas that lift the spirits by opening the heart and communications while easing stress and tensions. Did you know in a study using lemon oil in offices, there was a decline in clerical errors of 53%? Citrus oils help to create balance and harmony in blends, but lemon and grapefruit are also utilized for their detoxifying properties and used in many cellulite reducing products. Mandarin is used for its gentle properties for children, the elderly and pregnant women. I can’t stress enough about reading and checking out the properties of any essential oil you are going to use. The topical use of citrus oils need to be used with caution regarding the sun and tanning beds. Do not apply to the skin before going out into the sun or using a tanning bed as it can cause a severe sunburn. This is where knowing whether it is an expressed or distilled oil would be beneficial but I still think it is better to be safe and not use them before venturing out for an all day marathon at the beach or tanning salon.

There are many uses of citrus oils from candles to cleaning products that already enhance our daily lives. Being a Florida girl, no matter where I travel, the scent of an orange grove in a bottle brings me right back home!

Daydreaming in Paradise
(A simple inhalation blend for optimism)

3 drops Tangerine
3 drops Grapefruit
2 drops Dark Bay Rum

Mix essential oils and add to diffuser for inhalation.
A good blend to add to travel diffusers.

Wake-Up Sunshine
(An energizing and refreshing
morning blend for the shower)

10 drops Lemon
10 drops Rosemary
10 drops Mandarin, Red

Mix essential oils and add to amber bottle.
Add 2-3 drops of blend to warm shower. Breathe in deeply.

Mermaid’s Spell
(For a relaxing and sensuous blend for
a bath, massage or diffuser)

6 drops Blood Orange
4 drops Roman Chamomile
10 drops Lavender
3 drops Sandalwood
3 drops Ylang Ylang

Mix essential oils into small amber bottle. For a bath - add 6 drops of blend to a teaspoon of jojoba oil and
add to a warm bath to relax.
For a massage - add 12 drops to 1 oz. carrier oil.
For inhalation - add 10 drops to diffuser.