Replies

Lemon oil is commonly sold in health food and vitamin stores and supermarket shelves in small bottles as essential oil for aromatherapy. Due to often dissolving soft plastic, it is best applied via a small aluminum or glass spray bottle, usually with some almond oil as a carrier to reduce its volatility.

Take care not to get lemon oil on even small cuts and not to touch your eyes because it is painful to open wounds and sensitive areas. After half an hour or so, you may wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of any residue and then go about your business. Extra applications may be necessary to achieve a fully effective dose.

In my experience, the pain relieving effect is fairly rapid. With regular use, the pain is less even if you go several days without using it for a while.

Due to celiac disease, I developed what is known as reactive arthritis when I stopped eating gluten and began to heal as my system absorbed essential nutrients. My hands swelled and the finger joints became visibly red and stiff. Lemon oil though reduced the pain and swelling dramatically and my hands healed over about three years. Bengay and other drugstore eucalyptus ointments also worked to a lesser degree, but the smell was awful. Lemon oil was a lighter and more tolerable scent.