Profile: Lime Essential Oil

The history of the lime is believed to have originated in northern India, subsequently reaching the western coasts of Central and South America through the Pacific islands, carried by the Polynesians. Limes were transported from India to Persia, Palestine, Egypt, and Europe by the Arabs around the same time as the bitter orange. The Moors introduced them to Europe, from where Spanish and Portuguese explorers brought them to the Americas in the 16th century.

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oil has a fresh, invigorating scent. There are two types of lime essential oil: cold-pressed oil from the unripe peel and distilled oil from slurry of crushed limes. The distilled has a stronger lime scent while the cold-pressed is preferred for therapeutic applications.

Lime essential oil is cooling, antiviral, relaxing and can be used in treating digestive conditions, anxiety, insomnia, lymph congestion and cellulite. Most people find its scent uplifting yet calming. It pairs well with other citrus oils to promote relaxation and to decrease agitation. In one research study, lime essential oil had a powerful, positive effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition affecting men. Lime is sold by most essential oil retailers for $10-12 for 15 ml bottle. The distilled oil is a bit higher in price.