Surprising Uses For Lemons

Lemons are believed to have originated in China or India. They were a hybrid of limes and citrons. The lovely yellow color and unique taste made them attractive to traders who took them all over the world.

Today you can buy fresh lemons in almost any grocery store. There are also concentrated juices and frozen juices. Lemons flavor foods from appetizers to desserts and many in between. However lemons are good for much more.

Before we begin I must remind you that I am not a doctor. Any time you want to use anything for medicinal purposes you should check with your physician beforehand. There may be interactions with medicines or conditions that are already present.

Lemons are high in flavonoids and antioxidants. They help production of white blood cells.They are one of the few foods that have negatively charged ions (to balance all the foods with positive charges). Lemons are also one of a small list of foods that take more calories to digest than they contain.

Nutrients found in lemons include Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, Vitamin A, B vitamin complex, iron, copper, potassium, and calcium. You will consume 29 calories per 100 grams of lemon.

Ancient Egyptians believed that lemons protected against poison. They were at least partially right. Some insect stings can be successfully treated with lemon juice.

Lemon juice helps prevent and cure osteoarthritis. It is used to treat scoliosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Low cholesterol is something almost everyone strives to reach. Lemons will help with that. It means fewer heart problems, better circulation, and less chance of stroke. It strengthens blood vessels too.

Cancer is that ugly disease that we all fear. Lemons can help. They seem to be especially good for dealing with cancers of the mouth, skin, breast, stomach, prostrate, and colon. Lemons have been shown to prevent the division of cancer cells so that they do not spread.

Many of the nutrients in lemons act as antibiotics, antiviral agents, and immune system boosters. They help prevent colds and flu. They fight infection in the body. Lemon juice helps dislodge phlegm.

Lemon juice in your bath serves several purposes. Lemon is naturally cooling so it soothes and relaxes. Rubbing your skin with lemon juice acts as an exfoliant .It also helps clean and heal the skin. If you are drinking a bit of lemon juice every day it will help give your skin a healthy glow.

Even though lemons are acidic they quickly become alkaline after they are consumed. This helps keep the pH balance in your body.

Apply lemon juice to acne. It will dry eruptions and prevent new ones. It will also exfoliate the skin to get rid of dead cells.

For minor burns lemon juice is applied to cool the area. It will further prevent scarring.

Gargle with lemon juice to ease a sore throat.

Bind a slice of lemon tightly to a corn. Leave it on overnight for relief of pain.

Lemons are one of the few low glycemic fruits. They contain no saturated fats or cholesterol but are high in dietary fiber.

Anyone who has ever bitten into a lemon knows that the taste stimulates the salivary glands. Just thinking about it makes a mouth water. Digestive juices begin to secrete and bile production is stimulated. This aids in digestion so that you will not have so many stomach problems. No heartburn, no belching, no flatulence. They help prevent vomiting. Lemons will also help with elimination issues. Constipation could be a problem no more.

Lemon juice is a natural food preservative. Coating apples or bananas for instance will keep them from turning brown. This method is safer than using chemicals.

Vasco da Gama lost about two thirds of his sailors to scurvy on their way to India. Then it was discovered by James Lind that lemons cure scurvy. Even today ships carry lemons on board to keep the sailors healthy.

Other diseases cured by lemons are cholera, malaria, typhoid, and diphtheria. The reason is that lemons purify the blood and help cleanse the disease from the blood.

Dried lemon peel can be crushed and massaged into your hair to ease headache before a bath. Lemon juice as a rinse helps rid your head of dandruff. It makes hair shiny. As an astringent it helps close pours and gives skin a healthy look. It reduces wrinkles too.

Lemons are really good for the liver. They stimulate bile production as well as cleansing impurities. Lemons are good for the urinary tract too. They are a diuretic. They also keep crystals from forming in the kidneys that lead to kidney stones. They dissolve gall stones and calcium deposits. They help prevent gout.

Stomach and intestinal parasites are killed by lemon juice.

An ingredient in the peel of lemons has been successful in treating Parkinson's disease.

Sir Edmund Hillary said that lemons were the reason he was able to reach the top of Mount Everest. They help when there is insufficient oxygen and difficulty when breathing at high altitudes.

Eye disorders including retinopathy caused by diabetes can be eased by eating lemons.

Mouth sores are healed by rubbing with the inside of a lemon peal. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward. A little lemon added to toothpaste helps whiten teeth.

Lemon juice is used in a great many cleaning products. It helps things shine and leaves a clean freah smell.

Urinary tract infections and even gonorrhea can be treated with lemons.

Lemons help break a fever by causing increased perspiration.

Put lemon juice into your foot bath to soothe tired aching feet.

To lose weight drink a couple of glasses of lemon water every day.

The juice of one lemon in a glass of water several times a day helps check excessive menstruation.

The smell of lemons can make you feel better. Lemon scented candles or even strategically placed cotton balls with lemon can make everyone in the house happier. The scent also stimulates concentration. You will feel more alert as well.

Lemons have a mild bleaching effect. In your hair it will add subtle highlights. On skin it can lighten and even skin tones.

So as the saying goes...  if life give you lemons, take one and add its juice to six ounces of water and drink it. You will feel better.