Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Kaffir lime

Soothing, Kaffir lime essential oil is traditionally recommended for preparing massage oils for joint health. Kaffir lime essential oil is also reputed to combat stress and insomnia.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Suitable

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Suitable

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Appropriate

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Leaves

Botanical name

Citrus hystrix

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Kaffir lime essential oil is traditionally used for: Arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, insomnia, stress

Health

Wellness

Find out more

Properties

Kaffir lime essential oil is renowned for the following health benefits:

  • Rich in citronellal, known for its anti-inflammatory effects

  • Helps relieve rheumatic pain

  • Decongests the liver

  • Digestive tonic

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • To soothe rheumatic pains

  • Poor digestion, heavy meals

In practice

Poor digestion: Mix into your oil blend. Apply your blend locally by massaging or rubbing it into the abdomen opposite the organ concerned.


Soothe sore areas: Mix into your oil blend. Lightly massage the blend into the affected area.

Precautions

  • Not recommended during the first three months of pregnancy.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with eyes.

  • Certain natural compounds in this essential oil may present an allergy risk for sensitive individuals when the oil is incorporated into a cosmetic formulation (according to the 7th Amendment to the European Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): citronellol, linalool, and, to a lesser extent, limonene.

  • As a general rule, always perform a patch test on the inside of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

Find out more

Originally from India, the Kaffir lime was introduced to the Indian Ocean islands at the end of the 18th century. A member of the Rutaceae family (citrus family), the Combawa fruit has a very bumpy appearance. Its colour is reminiscent of that of the lime, but you must not confuse them, because although they have a few things in common, everyone agrees that the Kaffir lime has an unrivalled aroma and flavour, much more fragrant than its cousin. Kaffir lime is a popular ingredient in Madagascan and Reunionese cuisine.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Agitation in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • 1 ml Seville orange essential oil
  • 2 ml Roman chamomile essential oil
  • 1 ml of Sweet garden marjoram essential oil
  • 1 ml of Kaffir lime (zest) essential oil

Use: 2 drops of the mixture on the inside of the wrists 2 or 3 times a day or 4 drops on the solar plexus or the arch of the foot.

Insomnia (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • 3 ml Ravintsara essential oil
  • 2 ml True Lavender essential oil
  • 2 ml Mandarin essential oil
  • 1 ml Labrador Tea essential oil
  • 1 ml kaffir lime essential oil

Use: 3 drops of the mixture on the inside of the wrist and on the solar plexus 1/2 hour before bedtime.

Aroma-Zone note: Mandarin essential oil is photosensitising, so do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Stress in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • 1 ml Seville orange essential oil
  • 1 ml Ylang-Ylang essential oil
  • 2 ml Mandarin essential oil
  • 1 ml Sweet Verbena essential oil
  • 1 ml kaffir lime essential oil

Use : 2 drops of the blend on the solar plexus and the inside of the wrists 2 to 3 times a day as required.

Aroma-Zone note : Mandarin and Lemon verbena essential oils are photosensitising. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

'The Practice Of Aromatherapy'

Dr Jean Valnet - Éditions Maloine

3

'L'Aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

9

Aroma-News newsletters

NARD Association

10

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

11

Quintans-Júnior, Anti-inflammatory and redox-protective activities of citronellal

Mônica S. Melo, Adriana G. Guimarães, Michele F. Santana, Rosana S. Siqueira, Amanda Do Carmo B. De Lima, Antonio S. Dias, Márcio Roberto V. Santos, Alexandre S.C. Onofre, Jullyana S.S. Quintans, Damião P. De Sousa, Jackson R.G.S. Almeida, Charles S. Estevam, Brancilene S. Araujo, Lucindo J.