Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
His sister had another one, she paid it for the lime

She put the lime in the coconut, she drank ‘em both up (3x)
Put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up, and said

Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I said
Doctor, to relieve this bellyache, I said
Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I said
Doctor, to relieve this bellyache

Loved the aroma description of a cold pressed Lime (citrus aurantifolia) on The White Lotus blog last week:

fresh, sweet, tangy, ethereal fruity-floral aroma with a pungent, peel-like undertone.

It is soooo fresh and sweet with a citrusy peel aroma that it gets your taste buds rockin’ and rollin’ as a precursor to salivation!  It’s that good!  I have lime oil from Italy and it’s ever so slightly green and much more sweet and citrus, with a unique “citrusy” aroma that cannot be confused with lemon (although ability to differentiate comes with time).

It shares many of its qualities with lemon and grapefruit including its uplifting, revitalising and refreshing effect on the body and mind. They can be combined for a true alchemical effect and divine aroma.

The lime is thought to have originated somewhere in South Asia (perhaps Malaysia) and early visits to parts of Europe failed because it did not do well in cooler climates.  The lime flourished when Columbus took it to Mexico.   The best climate for the  lime tree is damp, warm conditions that provide plenty of rainfall and so can be found thriving in the warmer & tropical climates like South Africa, Italy, Cuba, Mexico,  doing especially well in Florida – as key lime pie aficionados will very well know!  In fact there are two species: the Mexican lime (Key lime) and the Tahiti (Persian or Bearss) lime.

The cold pressed oil is what you’re after – try to get organic, non-sprayed and you’ll simply have a divine time with it!

Things that Essential oil of lime can show off about:

Anti Septic: Great for infections of skin (acne, wounds, skin conditions), throat, mouth, colon, stomach, intestines and urinary system. Also great with sores, gangrene, ulcers, rashes & carbuncles
Anti Viral: It is an amazing oil for the respiratory system and helping with bronchitis, flu, mumps, measles and the common cold
Astringent: Fantastic for oil skin
Aperitif: As mentioned above, it really does make the mouth water! It can be useful it treating eating disorders as it activates secretion of digestive juices into the stomach which activates your feeling of hunger
Bactericidal: Helpful in cases of food poisoning, diarrhea, typhoid and cholera which are caused by bacteria, as well as bacterial infections on skin and wounds.
Disinfectant: Kills microbes and makes an ecellent air antiseptic and deodoriser (kills all cooking smells and is espcially good after cooking fish)
Febrifuge: Can help reduce fever that accompanies viral and bacterial infections
Haemostatic: Can help stop bleeding – especially useful for nose bleeds
Restorative: Restores health and vitality, known as a “tonic” especially after long illness
Tonic: Tones muscles, tissues and skin as well as the various systems functioning inside the body, such as respiratory system, circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system and the excretory system.  Could be consider a youth elixir

It is also amazing for the nervous system – the aroma alone could lift you out of a dark day.  It is amazing for depression and anxiety and when you need a positive boost.

Some simple & practical applications:

Uplifting/ Invigorating inhalation or treatment for respiratory complaints:

3 drops in boiling water, place towel over head and inhale for 3-5 mins

Uplifting/ Invigorating Shower:

Place flannel over plughole while shower is running, add 3 drops to shower and inhale for your very own spa treatment.  The oils will travel to your brain via the olfactory bulb and to your bloodstream via the respiratory pathway and the skin on your feet.  This is the ultimate triple whammy bammy lime experience.  As lime essential oil can be a skin irritant, take heed of what effect it has on the skin of your feet (being careful not to confuse pink raisin toes with spending too long in your gorgeous personal spa!)

Sore throat gargle:

2 drops in boiled (and cooled) water, gargling twice a day.  For severe sore throat replace 1 drop with a drop of Tea Tree (melaleuca alternifolia)

Air anti-septic:

8 drops lime essential oil, 5 drops Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus), 3 drops Lavender (lavendula angustifolia) in 100ml water (or lavender hydrosol), add to a spray bottle.  USe the same combo in an oil burner, adding 2 drops of each.

Sources: Garden Guides.com, Organic Facts, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless