Lime

Lime, also known as Mexican lime or key lime, is from the Rutaceae family. The fresh, rich scent of lime oil contains Limonene, citral, and terpenes. Mexican lime blends well with lavender oil, citronella oil, lemon oil, clary sage, neroli, rosemary oil, lavandin, and ylang ylang.

Common Name: Lime

Botanical Name: Citrus x aurantifolia (Christm.).

Family: Rutaceae.

Synonyms: Citrus aurantifolia Swingle; C. latifolia; C.medica var. acida; key lime; sour lime; Mexican lime; West Indian lime.

Origin: Indigenous to south Asia. This citrus plant is widespread in Barbados, Central America, Cuba, Florida, Haiti, India, and Mexico.

Botanical Description:
A small evergreen tree about 4-5-meters (15 ft) tall with sharp spines, smooth leaves, and small white flowers. The tree is propagated from seeds or by grafting onto bitter orange. Maximum fruit yield takes place after 10 years. The fruit is a pale green color.

Oil Extraction: Lime oil is obtained by cold expression of the peels (pericarp) of unripe fruits. The oil is a fluid olive green, yellowish-green, or dark green liquid.

Aroma Profile: Lime oil has a rich, fresh sweet top note, similar to the scent of the fresh peel. The middle note is fresh, fruity, and sweet. Dry out is lightly bitter sweet.

Major Constituents: Limonene (40 to 60%), citral (4 to 8%), γ-terpinene, and β-pinene.

Adulterants: Distilled lime oil, lemon oil, lemon and orange terpenes.

Regulatory Status: GRAS 182.20.

Aromatherapy: Cheering, equalizing, and refreshing.

Blends well with: Citronella oil, clary sage, lavandin, lavender oil, lemon oil, neroli, rosemary oil, and ylang ylang.

Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing. Phototoxic, avoid direct sunlight.