Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Organic Essential Oil 

A bright, clean, refreshing essence from the fresh organic rind of lime. We use only organic citrus oils because pesticides and herbicides are concentrated in the rind. Almost all cold-pressed citrus oils (with the exception of Sweet Orange) carry phototoxic concerns. This means that these oils should not be used topically, first of all undiluted, and secondly not immediately prior to going out into the sunlight or any ultra violet rays - including sunbeds. 

We love to use it in a citrus blend and add it to any of our household cleansers. I make a nice all purpose degreaser using an equal blend of lime, pink grapefruit, lemon and orange (you can also purchase our already blended Citrus Fresh oil). My recipe uses regular liquid glycerin soap (about 1 Tbsp), 2 cups of water, and really as much of the essential oil blend you want to add since this is for cleaning. Citrus oils cut grease and gummy stuff better than anything else and you are at the same time breathing in these wonderful health-giving scents and your house will smell amazing - clean and fresh. We usually add about 20 drops depending on the type of cleaning project.

Another thing to consider with citrus oils - they oxidize and this can alter fairly quickly the important chemistry of the particular essential oil. Which is why we buy only fresh citrus oils from our supplier. We keep all of our citrus oils refrigerated and suggest you do the same. All essential oils should be stored tightly closed, leave the top off only long enough to drop the oils into whatever you are diluting it with, and keep in dark glass containers. We ask that you not remove the safety dropper cap supplied and keep them out of reach of children. It's alway a good idea to write the date on the bottle that you have received and opened the essential oil in order to keep track of the age of the oil.

Peppermint essential oil is widely used and because of this, often misrepresented as being completely safe. It is safe when used diluted and with knowledge of cautions that apply to this oil. I was happy to see that the National Association of International Aromatherapists (NAHA) has felt it necessary to post a position statement on their website due to adverse events caused by perhaps well-meaning sellers of essential oils who know little to nothing about safely using essential oils. Here is NAHA's statement:

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): relieves nausea, analgesic for muscular aches and pains, relieves/reduces migraines, energizing, antispasmodic, do not use on children under 30 months of age

NAHA Safety Note for Peppermint Essential Oil:

- Avoid use on children under 30 months of age. The nasal mucosa is an autonomic reflexogen organ, which has a distance action to the heart, lungs and circulation and may lead to sudden apnoea and glottal constriction.

- Direct application of peppermint oil to the nasal area or chest to infants should be avoided because of the risk of apnea, laryngeal and bronchial spasms, acute respiratory distress with cyanosis and respiratory arrest. (The Longwood Herbal Task Force)

- Do not apply undiluted peppermint essential oils to the feet, particularly on infants and children under the age of 12.

- Inhalation of larges doses of menthol may lead to dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, nausea and double vision. (Natural Standard Research Collaboration, Peppermint oil. Evidence based monograph 2005; Medlineplus)

The information below has been taken from the European Medicines Agency: ASSESSMENT REPORT ON MENTHA X PIPERITA L., AETHEROLEUM

- When used orally, it may cause heartburn, perianal burning, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. Heartburn is related with the release of the oil in the upper GI tract, which relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, facilitating the reflux. The same occurs in the cases of hiatal hernia. This particular undesirable effect is minimized by an appropriate pharmaceutical formulation.  **Peppermint essential oil should always be in an enteric-coated tablet or capsule for internal use.

- People with gallbladder disease, severe liver damage, gallstones and chronic heartburn should avoid the intake of peppermint oil.

- Menthol and peppermint oil caused burning mouth syndrome, recurrent oral ulceration or a lichenoid reaction, by contact sensitivity in the intra-oral mucosa, in sensitive patients.

- When applied on the skin, it may cause allergic reactions, as skin rashes, contact dermatitis and eye irritation.

- Use in infants or children is not recommended, when inhaled, taken by mouth or if applied on open skin areas, on the face or chest, due to the potential toxicity of the product.

- Peppermint oil should be used with caution. Doses of menthol over 1 g/Kg b.w. may be deadly.

For further research articles see:

A near fatal case of high dose peppermint oil ingestion- Lessons learnt

Acute allergic contact dermatitis of the lips from peppermint oil in a lip balm.

This is such a wonderful, fresh, clean essential oil, but did you know it is also a SOLVENT - as are other citrus essential oils. I use it to dissolve grease, dirt and grime - as well as cleaning the label glue off of recycled bottles. So - what I'm saying here is this is not something you want to put in your water every day as some companies recommend. Your liver will thank you if you don't. It makes a very good - and very healthy - addition to any of your cleaning products, use in a diffuser, and even add it to your massage oil or cream. It has so many benefits, BUT it is also a phototoxic oil, meaning that if you use this topically, don't go out into direct sunlight or a sunbed for 12 to 24 hours because it can cause a slight reaction to a severe burn. Dilutions are important. Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plant material - many times concentrated from that slice of lemon you put in your glass of ice tea. We only purchase and sell certified organic citrus oils. Why? Because citrus oils (most anyway) are not steam distilled as are other essential oils, but are cold-pressed from the RIND. Yes - and that is where the pesticides and herbicides are most concentrated.

Another thing to consider with citrus oils - they oxidize and this can alter fairly quickly the important chemistry of the particular essential oil. Which is why we buy only fresh citrus oils from our supplier. We keep all of our citrus oils refrigerated and suggest you do the same. All essential oils should be stored tightly closed, leave the top off only long enough to drop the oils into whatever you are diluting it with, and keep in dark glass containers. We ask that you not remove the safety dropper cap supplied and keep them out of reach of children. It's alway a good idea to write the date on the bottle that you have received and opened the essential oil in order to keep track of the age of the oil.