Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and
drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of
poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?
There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for
centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral,
and immune-boosting powers and their use as a
weight loss
aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons
contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium,
vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity
and fight infection.
These are well-known
health
facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow
fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them
in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath,
take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
2.Abolish Acne.
Lemon contains citric acid, which can be effective in treating acne.
The vitamin C found in citrus fruits is vital for that healthy glowing
skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to
cause acne. In addition to drinking lemon juice with water first thing
in the morning, here are some suggestions on how to prepare a homemade
acne treatment using lemon:
· With your finger or a cotton ball, apply fresh lemon juice on acne
and leave it overnight. Wash with water the following morning. There may
be an uncomfortable sensation of burning at first, but it will soon
disappear.
· Mix one part of freshly squeezed lemon juice with an equal part of
rose or honey water. Put the mixture on affected areas for at least half
an hour. Wash it afterwards with water. This application should be
repeated twice daily, ideally in the morning and the evening.
Note: these remedies are safe and natural, but if acne is severe or there are open wounds, consult your doctor first.
3. Abandon Your Anxiety.
Research has shown that lemon balm has a calming effect and therefore
may be able to help remove fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety,
nervousness, and tension. It is also believed that inhaling lemon oil
helps in increasing concentration and alertness. It can therefore be
used as a room freshener in offices to increase the efficiency of the
employees. If you’re feeling tense sprinkle a few drops of lemon balm
essential oil (Melissa officinalis) on a handkerchief to inhale.
4. Canker Sore, No More.
The proven antibacterial and antiviral properties of lemons can
accelerate the healing process in the case of cankers. Mix the juice of
freshly squeezed lemon into a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your
mouth with this solution; do this three times a day. There may be a
burning sensation when the lemon juice comes into contact with the
canker, however, the more frequently you use it, the less burning there
will be.
5. Leave the Fever.
Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes, but the lemon is
always a helpful remedy. Here is a method that can ease symptoms: add
the juice of 1 lemon to a cup of hot water with honey and drink at once,
then every 2 hours until the fever or chill subsides.
6. Cold and Flu Got You Blue.
When you have a cold, the healing power of lemons works both
internally, by supplying urgently required vitamin C to your defense
cells, and externally, through the application of its antiviral
properties to the virus on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat.
At the first indication of a cold – a runny nose or sore throat –try
to give your body as much immune-boosting vitamin C as you can so that
the virus is eliminated before it gets a chance to take hold. Drink the
freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water every 2
hours.
If you have a sore throat, add the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon
(5ml) of sea salt to 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water. Gargle three times a
day for 1 minute to diminish the burning sensation. If it’s a case of
tonsillitis, gargle every 2 hours for at least 30 seconds with the
freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon. Tilt the head back to allow the
antibacterial and antiviral properties of the juice to flow into the
back of the throat. You can swallow the juice when you have finished
gargling thereby benefiting from an immune-boosting vitamin C shot.
7. Cure Corns and Calluses.
Lemon poultices applied overnight are a good home remedy for corns and
calluses. Place a slice of lemon approx 5 mm thick on to the corn,
bandage and fasten. Dabbing the affected area with lemon essential oil
also helps accelerate the healing process. Take care to only use the
undiluted oil on the callused area using a cotton ball or Q- tip, as it
is too strong for un-callused skin.
8. Erase Eczem.
If you suffer from skin infection such as eczema, a lemon wrap may
offer relief. Add 8 drops of lemon essential oil to 1 cup (250ml)
lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon (15ml) of liquid honey. Honey also has
anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the healing power of lemon.
Soak a linen cloth in the liquid, squeeze out the excess, and gently
place the cloth on the affected area for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
Not only will this ease the infection, it will counter the overwhelming
urge to scratch.
9. Fight Fatigue.
Long distance walkers, world travelers, and explorers look upon the
lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue sets in, they might suck lemon juice by
piercing the top of the fruit with a straw, giving themselves a
quick-acting medicine and a lovely refreshment.
Explorers also use lemon for protection against many infections of
the tropics. A small amount of lemon juice will quench thirst more
effectively than many times the amount of water. Experienced travelers
declare that when they add lemon juice to ordinary drinking water, in
various localities, it acts as an antiseptic and prevents illness due to
allergy to different water supplies.
Lemon oil also seems to be able to stimulate brain activity so
whenever you feel tired for no reason or are finding it hard to focus or
concentrate, add 4 drops of lemon oil to a water-filled aromatherapy
lamp. Alternatively, drink a glass of lemon water every few hours.
10. Hexed with Halitosis.
Lemons can help freshen breath that has gone sour after consuming
certain spices, alcohol, cigarettes, or that is caused by insufficient
salivation. To keep breath fresh, thoroughly rinse your mouth several
times a day with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of
lukewarm water. Chewing on a lemon slice after every meal will also
help.
11. Healing Hypertension.
Garlic and onions have been shown to be effective in the fight
against hypertension, and they combine well with the healing power of
lemon. Add 3 crushed garlic cloves and 1 chopped onion to 1 quart or
cold skimmed or low fat milk or soy milk. Slowly bring to the boil and
let it stand for 5 minutes. Pour through a sieve and chill. Add the
freshly squeezed juice of 3 lemons and sip throughout the day.
And if you suffer from high cholesterol, don’t forget that the pectin
power in lemons along with its other metabolism and circulation
boosting nutrients can help lower cholesterol.
12. Smite a Bug Bite.
If the stinger is still in the skin, take it out with a pair of
tweezers. Massage 1 to 2 drops of lemon oil, mixed with 1 teaspoon of
honey, into the skin around the bite.
To repel insects, add 20 drops of lemon oil to 1 cup (250ml) of water
and spray into the air. It smells great and repels insects at the same
time. Another home remedy is to place a cotton ball soaked in lemon oil
in your bedroom. If you are sitting outside in the evening, apply lemon
scent to skin areas not covered in clothing. Or, add 10 drops of lemon
oil to 1 ½ oz of sunflower oil and rub into the skin.
13. Put Insomnia to Rest.
Several studies have found that lemon balm combined with other calming
herbs (such as valerian, hops, and chamomile) helps reduce anxiety and
promote sleep. In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 18
healthy volunteers received two separate single doses of a standardized
lemon balm extract (300 mg and 600 mg) or placebo for 7 days. The 600 mg
dose of lemon balm increased mood and significantly increased calmness
and alertness.
14. Pulverize Pain.
Even though it tastes bitter, lemon juice has a powerful alkaline
effect in the body and is therefore a natural agent against excess acid,
which is in part responsible for rheumatism. Drink the freshly squeezed
juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water 3 times a day and if you
experience severe pain add the juice of 2 lemons 3 times a day.
Lemon oil has pain-relieving qualities, so to inhibit inflammation
and ease pain, massage the affected area daily with several drops of
lemon oil mixed with 1 tablespoon (15ml) jojoba oil.
15. Save your Stomach.
Drink the juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon in a glass of lukewarm water
after each meal. The lemon acid will stimulate the production of
stomach acid and the activity of stomach muscles.
