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The Song of Citrus

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There’s so much to love this month at dōTERRA®. Citrus lovers always get giddy with delight over promotions that fill their stashes with fruity favorites, and an oil called Lemon Eucalyptus sings a song that keeps us on our toes, lest we think we know all there is to know about the citrus oils. Neither a blend nor a citrus, as the name might seem to imply, it’s actually the single essential oil of the lemon eucalyptus tree. This is a nickname for the lemon-scented gum tree, which also goes by the alias blue gum tree. The aroma produced by the leaves is so delightfully lemony that the Latin name for the species means “song of citruses”; and yet the tree itself bears not a single lemon. Instead, the tall but unassuming lemon eucalyptus tree is adorned with little white flowers. The trunk sheds its bark, moving from a spotted appearance to that of a clean, white tower rising into the sky.

When thinking of Lemon Eucalyptus, consider how both lemongrass and the lemon myrtle bear the name of lemon without actually bearing the fruit itself. Due to the immense popularity and familiarity of lemon’s aroma, it’s useful in describing aromas that extend beyond the citrus family itself. Lemon Eucalyptus oil is cleansing and uplifting, with citronellal and citronellol as the two main chemical constituents. If you’re making a mental connection between Lemon Eucalyptus and Citronella oils, you’re right on: one of the same chemicals makes both of them useful when feeling bugged. It’s a bit ironic that Lemon Eucalyptus makes unwanted creatures want to buzz off, because the tree itself is hugely attractive to bees and butterflies due to the nectar in those little white flowers! Mix a few drops of Lemon Eucalyptus with water in a spray bottle and spritz onto the skin before heading out to face airborne armies you’d like to deter. On that note, you might also try diffusing the following blend outdoors.

Fly Away

• 2 drops Lemon Eucalyptus

• 2 drops Lemongrass

• 2 drops Citronella

The notes of the song that Lemon Eucalyptus sings are energizing and positive. They also put powerful cleansing properties at your fingertips, thanks to the oil’s purifying chemical composition; so your buzz-off mixture can double as a cleaning spray! When you find yourself loving the scent and wanting it to linger on your skin throughout the day, simply mix a drop into your facial cleanser or moisturizer. The invigorating notes of Lemon Eucalyptus might make you want to sing your way through the day! Remember, whenever you’re applying an oil topically for the first time, consider diluting it with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. A great way to give it a test run is with a rejuvenating massage using Fractionated Coconut Oil.

Someone out there is wondering: is Lemon Eucalyptus oil similar to the oil from the eucalyptus tree, the one so highly favored by koalas? Nope. Crazy, I know. Though both grow in Australia, the two trees are different species; and their oils have distinct compositions leading to quite different uses. If you’re looking for a harmonious balance, be daring and blend the two together to combine all those different properties. Let’s do it right now!

Awaiting Wonder

• 3 drops Lemon Eucalyptus

• 2 drops Eucalyptus

• 2 drops Spearmint

While Lemon Eucalyptus is an excellent aroma to diffuse on its own, it also blends deliciously with scents of mint, fir, wood, and florals. Count on it to flood the space with a protective mood. Are you hearing the song of citrus yet? Distinctly lemony and powerfully uplifting, harmonizing with the hum of bees and butterflies sipping delicious nectar, Lemon Eucalyptus is singing for you. It’s a thing apart from Lemon or Eucalyptus as you know them, and it’s never been a better time to experience this secret wonder for yourself.