The secrets of lemon essential oil for weight loss
Perfectly recognizable by its tangy smell, lemon essential oil (citrus limonum) is a versatile and therefore precious ally for keeping a radiant shape. Obtained by cold pressing lemon zest, this pale yellow oil is mainly composed of limonene, pinene, terpinene and geranial. However, these natural components prove to be particularly effective in combating a number of minor physical problems and, in particular, if you are trying to lose weight.
What are the benefits of lemon essential oil?
Aromatherapy recognizes many qualities of lemon essential oil for losing weight but also, in general, for promoting good health, beauty or even unfailing morale. For the Greeks or the Romans, it was also a real panacea.
First of all, because it has purifying and antibacterial properties, it helps fight infections such as colds and even promotes the healing process of wounds. Its concentration of antioxidants even makes it a perfect enemy for acne and skin problems (for oily or mature skin in particular).
It is also remarkably effective in combating digestive disorders and in particular nausea, heartburn, constipation and digestive difficulties. Two different scientific studies have, for example, highlighted the gastro-protective effect of this oil through its action on the HSP-70 and VIP proteins.
Thanks to the limonene it contains, lemon essential oil also has a protective effect on the hepatic system. Indeed, it is particularly useful for protecting the liver from potentially toxic compounds and for relieving overworked gallbladders.
Finally, this essential oil is a very relevant choice for relieving anxiety and regulating mood. A study ( 1 ), published in 2004 in the British scientific journal Brain Research , shows that it not only reduces the level of corticosterone in the body (which is a hormone caused by stress) but that it also facilitates pain management, especially headaches.
How can lemon essential oil help with weight loss?
Using lemon essential oil to lose weight is an excellent strategy because it is a product capable of exerting an overall slimming action on the body, which is available on several levels and which is therefore very effective.
First of all, lemon essential oil acts as an exceptional fat burner. Indeed, studies carried out jointly on the essential oils of lemon and grapefruit have demonstrated their ability to cause very significant lipolysis (a destruction of fat) thanks to the limonene they both contain.
At the same time, lemon essential oil also has a draining action on the body which allows it to eliminate toxins all the more effectively and in particular the lipids degraded during lipolysis. The digestion process is thus more efficient, as is the action of the liver or the kidneys and the body functions at its highest level of activity. The joint diuretic action of lemon also makes it possible to drain the excess water stored by the body. This limits the appearance of cellulite or even helps to reduce it, when it is already present.
Finally, by acting on the nervous system, this essential oil (thanks to geranial which has anxiolytic properties) helps to limit the feeling of frustration that often goes hand in hand with a slimming diet and even has a real appetite suppressant effect by promoting rapid onset of the feeling of satiety during meals. In addition, it would seem, although this has yet to be scientifically demonstrated, that lemon essential oil helps regulate appetite and therefore prevent weight gain.
How to use lemon essential oil?
In general, as with the vast majority of essential oils, lemon essential oil should never be used pure and should always be diluted.
Once this precaution has been observed, it is possible to use it in four ways:
- Ingestion : as part of an appropriate and balanced diet, dilute one to two drops of lemon essential oil in a large glass of water to drink in the morning, before breakfast. Another technique can consist in pouring one or two drops of the same oil on a neutral support (a cachet for example) and letting it melt under the tongue, before or after each meal for an appetite suppressant action.
- Inhalation : to limit appetite and promote feelings of satiety, 20 minutes before each meal, dilute one to two drops of lemon essential oil in an inhaler and breathe in the vapor produced.
- Diffusion : To enjoy the benefits of lemon essential oil without even thinking about it, dilute four to six drops in a bowl of hot water or a diffuser and let the mixture permeate the air in the chosen space.
- Cutaneous application : for a slimming action, mix two or three drops of lemon essential oil in a tablespoon of vegetable oil or your moisturizer, apply the preparation to the parts of the body to be treated and massage until full penetration.
Are there any contraindications to the use of this essential oil?
Although natural, essential oils are powerful compounds and should therefore be used with care. Thus, the use of lemon essential oil is prohibited during the first three months of pregnancy as well as for the duration of breastfeeding. It should also not be used to treat a child under five, an elderly person in fragile health or people with hormone-dependent cancers.
Depending on people and skin types, lemon essential oil can be irritating, even diluted. It is therefore preferable to test it first on a small area such as the inside of the wrist. However, in all cases, it is photosensitizing, that is to say that in the event of cutaneous application, one should not expose oneself to the rays of the sun, nor to UV rays, for at least six to eight hours.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.