Citrus latifolia Tanaka Cold-pressed from the peel, from Brazil.
Aroma: Lime has a tart, fresh scent characteristic of citrus products.
The Persian lime is a triploid cross between key lime Citrus × aurantifolia and lemon Citrus × limon.
Lime Essential Oil is well known in folklore for its ability to cleanse, purify and renew the spirit and the mind. It is also said to be effective in cleansing the aura and thus is used in Anarres' Clearance Incense.
History: Originally from Asia, Limes are now cultivated in most warm countries, especially Italy, the West Indies and the Americas. Limes were introduced into Europe by the Moors and from there to the Americas. Ships transporting limes were called 'lime juicers' and ship crews depended on lime to prevent scurvy, because of the high vitamin C content found in limes and lime juice.
Colour: A thin, clear, yellowish-green to greenish-brown
Consistency: Light
Perfumery Note: Top
Strength of Initial Aroma: medium
Common Uses: Lime essential oil has a crisp, refreshing citrus scent that has been used by aromatherapists for its uplifting and revitalizing properties. It can also act as an astringent on skin where it is reputed to help clear oily skin.
Possible Uses: Acne, asthma, chilblains, colds, dull skin, flu, varicose veins. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-66.]
Main Constituents:
Limonene ~ 53 %
Pinene (alpha) + (beta) ~15 %
Gamma-terpinene ~10 %
Citral ~ 5.0 %
beta-Bisabolene ~ 2.0 %
Safety Information: Phototoxic. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 208.] Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.
Cautions: Cold Pressed Lime essential oil is phototoxic. Users should avoid direct sunlight after the application.
Photo thanks to By Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71943193