Do you like lemons? You’re going to love them after you read this. Lemons are amazingly good for you as well as delicious and refreshing.
What can lemons do for you? Let’s begin with a look at their medical properties. Lemons are great sources of potassium and calcium as well as antioxidants including vitamin C and flavonoids. In Ayurvedic traditional medicine, lemon has warm, light and sour properties.
Lemon juice is a great natural antacid. A teaspoon or two of fresh lemon juice in a glass of room temperature water is all it takes. This is also a good remedy for constipation. Water with a slice of lemon is a great everyday drink.
Imagine never again having to spend money on commercial deodorants with their dangerous chemicals! Lemon juice has antibacterial properties that keep your underarms free of offensive odors. And you don’t have to use it every day — just two or three times a week!
Drinking lemon juice regularly can ease pain and stiffness from arthritis and rheumatism. Some people also use lemon juice or lemon peel for toothache and rub the inside of the lemon peel over their teeth to remove plaque. For a natural mouthwash mix lemon juice, baking soda and powdered myrrh in distilled water. Be careful drinking straight lemon juice every day or using it for a mouthwash as it can dissolve tooth enamel, causing cavities.
For colds or flu, mix the juice of one lemon in a cup of hot water and add honey. Take this drink every two to three hours. Gargle with full strength lemon juice for a sore throat. Asthmatics can try a tablespoon of lemon juice about an hour before eating. In former times, people used lemon juice to relieve the dangerous congestion of diphtheria.
Naturopaths know lemon as an antibacterial, antiseptic and astringent. Put it on acne, eczema, cuts, burns and bee stings. Tiny amounts of lemon essential oil are good for this. Mix equal parts lemon juice and rose water for another acne treatment. Use lemon juice to soften callouses. To relieve foot pain, soak your feet in hot water with lemon juice added.
Using lemon juice to prevent kidney stones is well known in natural medicine. When doctors at Duke University and the University of Wisconsin made studies based on this claim, they found that lemons increase the production of urinary citrate. This chemical may help to prevent the formation of new stones. There is less evidence that lemon juice breaks up existing kidney stones. If you want to try it, the usual recipe is one or two teaspoons of lemon juice in a glass of warm water once a day.
Use lemons to deodorize your garbage disposal by running lemon peel through it now and then. Lemons and lemon juice can also remove stubborn hard water stains. Use lemon juice with salt to remove food and blood stains on clothing.
Many people believe the smell of lemons has a calming effect and may increase energy and mental focus. Put a bit of lemon oil on your light bulbs or put a few drops on a handkerchief and breathe it.
Lemon Juice Myths
Lemons are really no more effective than any other citrus fruit for weight loss, but preliminary studies have indicated that lemon juice is a diuretic and may reduce sugar cravings.
People who have ulcers or heartburn or are allergic to citrus should be careful about lemon remedies.
Lemon juice with olive oil is a traditional cure for gall stones, but medical studies have not proved this. Ask a naturopath if this is an appropriate treatment and how to do it properly.
Don’t use lemon juice to lighten your hair. It can dry out your hair and make it look harsh. Use chamomile or powdered rhubarb root instead.
When using lemon juice for health, get fresh lemons and squeeze your own. Don’t use reconstituted lemon juice. Remember to use honey instead of sugar when drinking lemon juice in water for health. When using lemon essential oil be certain it is real essential oil and not merely a fragrance oil or perfume.
If you really want to use a lot of lemons, consider planting a lemon tree. You can actually grow them from seed and even raise lemon trees indoors.