When life gives you lemons, make lemonade — with 2 drops of lemon essential oil in 8 ounces of purified water and a dash of liquid stevia. Seriously, this drink will brighten your day, as well as help with arthritis and promote detoxing and lymphatic cleansing. Lemon is my third most recommended essential oil to people starting an essential oil collection.

In addition, lemon essential oil is also a great companion to other essential oils. When combined with cypress essential oil and rubbed into the skin, lemon essential oil helps with varicose veins. When diffused or applied topically on the bridge of the nose with lavender and peppermint, lemon essential oil provides allergy relief. And when combined with rosemary essential oil and inhaled, lemon essential oil promotes concentration.

Here are some other ways you can incorporate lemon essential oil into your daily routine:

Liquid Hand Soap

Give fragrance-free and non toxic hand soap like Seventh Generation’s hand wash a boost with 10 drops of lemon essential oil. A natural antibacterial and disinfectant, lemon essential oil will not only make your hand soap smell like sunshine, but it will also up your cleaning power.

Non-Toxic Air Freshener

Most commercial air fresheners are no bueno for the environment but here’s a DIY solution to stinky towels, socks, etc. Combine 1/8 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup of lemon juice (freshly squeezed), 2-3 drops lemon essential oil, and 2 cups water in a glass spray bottle and spritz as you see fit.

Morning Detox

Need to de-bloat? Try adding 2 drops of lemon essential oil to an herbal ginger tea first thing in the morning before you eat your breakfast. Your belly (make that your flat belly) will thank you.

Cooking

You can use 1 drop of lemon essential oil in any recipe that calls for 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. One of my favorites is lemon-pepper chicken. Just whisk together 1 drop of lemon essential oil to 1/3 – 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil and add fresh ground pepper and a dash of sea salt to make the marinade. Pour the marinade over your organic chicken breasts and either grill or bake until cooked. Serve with tzatziki sauce over cauliflower rice or mixed greens.

—Becca Edwards, founder of Female IQ