When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and dozens of other foods and home remedies from this versatile fruit. Lemon's health benefits are due to the high concentration of vitamins B and C, antioxidants, protein, flavonoids, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates and volatile oils. Whether you're using this superfood to prevent kidney stones or making lemon-flavored cake icing, you'll reap the benefits in flavor and good health.
Lemon juice was used in ancient Egypt to undo the effects of food poisoning; and in India, Ayurvedic practitioners prescribed lemon peel to treat liver ailments. The Sicilians used lemon peel to make pickling brine and multiple cultures used it to prevent scurvy. Both the peel and juice of lemons are still widely used today to cleanse and tonify the liver.
Lemon juiceLemon juice possesses antibacterial, antiviral and immune-building properties. It fights disease and infection with high levels of bioflavonoids, pectin, limonene, citric acid, magnesium, calcium and vitamins. It stimulates digestion, promoting weight loss.
~ Mix lemon juice and water and swish to relieve a sore throat or canker sores. Add salt and gargle for tonsillitis.
~ Add lemon juice to hot tea and honey to reduce a fever, fight the flu, relieve nausea, and lessen a chill
~ Drink lemon juice to fight fatigue and replace electrolytes after vigorous exercise or overheating
~ Stop a nose bleed with lemon juice applied to cotton and placed in the nostril
~ Eliminate gall stones with lemon juice and olive oil
~ Reduce hypertension and lower LDL cholesterol with lemon juice home remedies. Prevent diabetes, relieve constipation, strengthen gums and teeth, cure kidney stones, heart disease and strokes, lower body temperature, and fight cancer with lemons.
Hot lemon water~ First thing in the morning, a glass of warm lemon water flushes the system, relieves edema, acts as a diuretic, aids digestion, fights hunger cravings, promotes weight loss and helps prevent coffee cravings
~ Relieve chest congestion and coughing, reduce allergies, clear the palate and freshen breath
Topical applications~ Lemon juice clears the skin, reduces acne, softens wrinkles, removes age spots, blemishes, scars and cleanses excess oils. The vitamin C, citric acid and alkaline properties fight bacteria both internally and on the skin.
~ Make an overnight home remedy with a slice of lemon as a poultice to remove corns and calluses
~ Relieve eczema with lemon oil, honey and warm water poultices
~ Mix lemon oil and honey and apply to soothe a bug bite
~ Combine lemon oil and water to make natural insect repellant
~ Eliminate varicose veins with applications of lemon oil mixed with almond, avocado or jojoba oil
Balances pH~ Lemon juice creates an alkaline-forming environment to balance the body's pH as well as restoring balance by providing vitamin C and high levels of potassium
~ Reduce acidosis and relieve arthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatism pains with the alkalizing effects of lemon juice
Lemon peel~ Lemon peel reduces cramping and gas pains while it aids digestion; it increases circulation, stimulates urination and strengthens the immune system. The pith in lemon peel contains pectin, which helps chelate toxins and heavy metals.
Mental and emotional uses for lemon~ Lemon balm is calming and relaxing and can relieve bouts of anxiety, nervousness and tension
~ Lemon oil relieves fatigue and increases alertness and cognitive function
~ Promote sleep and reduce tension with a mixture of lemon balm, valerian, chamomile and hops as bedtime tea
Non-medicinal uses for lemons~ Remove stains from coffee and tea cups
~ Deodorize the garbage disposal
~ Flavoring in cooking and baking
~ Polishing mirrors and furniture
~ Making lemonade
~ As bath oil and in potpouri
~ Making candy and confections
~ Rinse hair with lemon water to increase shine
About the author:
JB Bardot is an herbalist and a classical homeopath, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. She writes about wellness, green living, alternative medicine, holistic nutrition, homeopathy, herbs and naturopathic medicine. You can find her at The JB Bardot Archives at www.jbbardot.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jbbardot23 or on Twitter at jbbardot23 or https://twitter.com/jbbardot23
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