Getting to Know Citrus Oils
Citrus essential oils are typically cold-pressed from the peels of various citrus fruits, such as lemon or grapefruit. They are known as 'top note' essential oils, or the first aroma you pick up on when inhaling a blend. Top note essential oils tend to be uplifting and energizing, and are often put in aromatherapy blends to inspire joy or increase motivation. Because they are more volatile than middle notes or base notes they evaporate more quickly, meaning their aroma doesn't linger quite as long as the heavier essential oils. Pairing your citruses with a base note like frankincense or patchouli will 'fix' the top note in the blend and allow that aroma to last longer than using the citrus essential oil by itself. Citrus essential oils blend well with other citruses, as well as rich spice essential oils like cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, floral or herbaceous middle notes like peppermint, spearmint and lavender, and the deeply resinous base notes of frankincense, sandalwood or patchouli. In addition to their uplifiting effects on the mood, citrus essential oils are also known for their purifying effects and are often found in cleaning products and home care products.
One important aspect of citruses is that aside from sweet orange essential oil, steam distilled lime essential oil and bergaptene-free bergamot essential oil, citruses can be photosensitizing to the skin, meaning they increase our skin's sensitivity to sun exposure. Avoid using citrus oils in skin care products if you will be spending time in direct sunlight after application.
Meet Aura Cacia Citrus Oils
- Aura Cacia Sweet Orange Essential Oil: sweet orange essential oil is known for its ability to inspire joy. This gentle and cheering essential oil is loved by adults and children alike, and can be added into diffusion blends, bath oils, room sprays and even DIY playdough!
- Aura Cacia Lemon Essential Oil: lemon is known for its wonderfully purifying effects, and is often found in kitchen or bathroom cleaning products. Diffusing lemon in the morning helps you feel energized and ready for the day, or in the afternoon can give you that much needed pick-me-up.
- Aura Cacia Lime Essential Oil: the sharp and sweet aroma of lime essential oil is a refreshing addition to any diffusion blend or home cleaning recipe. Combine in a mist or diffusion with peppermint essential oil during the summer for that perfect mojito vibe!
- Aura Cacia Organic Distilled Lime Essential Oil: this is the only steam-distilled citrus oil in the Aura Cacia line. Steam distillation prioritizes the fruityness of the lime aroma without as much of the sharp, crisp elements of the cold-pressed oil. This oil truly captures the aroma of cutting into a fresh lime. The two can be used interchangeably in your blends, however. Interestingly the steam distillation process makes this oil non-photoxic, unlike the cold-pressed version.
- Aura Cacia Mandarin Orange Essential Oil: like sweet orange mandarin orange essential oil is known for its uplifting yet calming effects. Mandarin orange essential oil is a bit richer/more complex than sweet orange, however, and adds an alluring touch to your aromatherapy blends.
- Aura Cacia Tangerine Essential Oil: tangerine essential oil is delightfully cheering and is often included in blends for children. Try blending with spearmint for an uplifting mist or diffusion to encourage alertness and focus or with lavender for a calming bedtime diffusion.
- Aura Cacia Grapefruit Essential Oil: grapefruit essential oil produces a fresh, fruity and clean aroma that's nearly identical to the broken peel of fresh grapefruit. It is found in many body care products, such as creams and massage oils, as well as home care products like cleaning sprays and air fresheners.
- Aura Cacia Bergamot Essential Oil: bergamot essential oil comes from the peel of the bergamot orange, and while it does have the fruity, fresh aroma associated with citrus oils it has a distinctly floral undertone. Combine with lavender for an additional calming effect, or with rosemary to inspire alertness and focus. Bergamot also has a wonderful deodorizing effect, and is often used in carpet powders or furniture sprays. For skincare products, be sure to use Aura Cacia Bergaptene-Free Bergamot to avoid photosensitivity reactions.
- Aura Cacia Organic Blood Orange Essential Oil: blood orange essential oil is uplifting and refreshing, and is often used in aromatherapy blends to motivate, focus or relax. Combine with cinnamon, ginger or clove to encourage a warm, and comforting environment.
Quick Tips with Citrus Essential Oils
- in a large mist bottle, combine 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup distilled water and 1-2 tsp of your favorite citrus essential oil for a purifying surface spray
- in a bowl, combine 1 cup baking soda and 30 drops bergamot essential oil to make a deodorizing carpet powder
- place several drops of your favorite citrus oil on cottonballs to stick in your gym bag to help mask unwated odors
- put a few drops of your favorite citrus oil in running shoes, gym shoes or cleats to mask unwanted odors
- combine any of your favorite citrus oils with peppermint or spearmint for a 'creamsicle-like' diffusion or mist
- make an uplifting and focusing mist by combining 12 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil with 12 drops of rosemary and 1 tsp of vegetable glycerin in 2 oz of water
Fun Recipes with Citrus Oils
- Lemon Floor Cleaner
- Patchouli & Sweet Orange Hand Scrub
- Bergamot & Lavender Room Spray
- Blood Orange Bubble Bath
- Mojito Body Scrub
