Are any forms of citrus well tolerated by IC patients -- lemon oil or orange zest? I miss these flavors!
As you probably know, we always have to have the disclaimer, “everyone is different,” but most IC patients can tolerate the zest of citrus fruits. You can also find a large variety of citrus oils to try, many of them claiming to be natural. Remember, oranges and lemons are already natural (yet can cause IC flares), so that doesn’t necessarily mean natural citrus oil flavoring will be ok. It is always important to try a tiny amount of something first and assess how you feel afterwards. The good thing about the zest of citrus and the oils is that a tiny amount provides a lot of flavor!
Also, I love the “wake-up” feeling I get from using the lemon scented soap and hand lotion that I keep by my kitchen sink. Sometimes the scent of something can be enough to satisfy a craving!