by Brenda Cobb

The health benefits of the mighty lemon are many: vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin, thiamin and riboflavin. Additionally, this healthy fruit contains flavonoids, composites with antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties. Lemons also help prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, fever and indigestion.

They provide valuable solutions to many health-related problems because they contain antiseptics and natural medications.

Internal uses

Lemon juice mixed in alkaline water forms urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of crystals and helps eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones. Drinking lemon juice with olive oil can help get rid of gallstones.

Lemons can provide protection against inflammatory arthritis and help relieve problems related to indigestion and constipation. Add a few drops of freshly squeezed juice to your recipes to aid digestion.

Lemon juice assists in relieving respiratory problems. It can soothe a person suffering from an asthma attack and, because it is such a rich source of vitamin C, it helps with more long-term respiratory disorders as well.

Lemon juice can treat a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever. It helps break fevers by increasing perspiration.

Its antiseptic and coagulant properties can stop internal bleeding; apply lemon juice to a small cotton ball and place it inside your nose to stop nosebleeds. Its antibacterial properties help ease throat-related problems.

Drinking lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey can help reduce body weight.

Diseases such as cholera and malaria can be treated with lemon juice because it acts as a blood purifier.

Lemon juice has a diuretic effect. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins from the body.

The potassium in lemon juice is helpful for people suffering from heart problems: It controls high blood pressure, dizziness and nausea as it calms the mind and body

Hair, skin and teeth

Lemon juice is frequently used in dental care. Fresh lemon juice applied to the area of a toothache can assist in relieving pain. Massage the juice on the gums to stop gum bleeding and eliminate the bad odors that come from gum disease.

Lemon juice has proven useful in the treatment of hair care; applying to the scalp to treat problems such as dandruff and hair loss. Apply the juice directly to hair to boost shine. As a natural antiseptic, lemon juice can ease problems related to the skin. It can reduce the pain of sunburn and ease pain from bee stings. It is also good for acne and eczema. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can help remove wrinkles and blackheads. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water and honey brings a healthy glow to the skin.

Lemon juice can dissolve callouses on the skin when applied to the areas where the skin has hardened, such as the soles of feet and the palms of hands.

Using lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and because it is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

External uses

Some people use lemon juice as a washing agent because of its ability to remove stains. The scent of lemons can repel mosquitoes.

Lemon is an aromatic and antiseptic agent, and it is useful for foot relaxation. Add some juice to warm water and dip your feet into the mixture for muscle relaxation.

It is commonly employed to reduce mental stress and depression.

Lemon has proven to be nature’s boon to everyone who uses it. Eat anywhere from a quarter to a half of this little yet powerful citrus fruit per day to get maximum health benefits

Lemon Pepper Date Dressing

1 large clove garlic

2/3 cup lemon juice

6 pitted dates

1/2 red or yellow bell pepper

1/2 tsp Himalayan salt

1/3 cup extra-virgin cold pressed olive oil pinch cayenne pepper

3 Tbs water

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the dressing over the greens and toss.

 

Brenda Cobb is author of The Living Foods Lifestyle and founder of The Living Foods Institute, an educational center and therapy spa in Atlanta offering healthy lifestyle courses on nutrition, cleansing, healing, anti-aging, detoxification, relaxation and cleansing therapies. For more information, call 404-524-4488 or visit www.livingfoodsinstitute.com See ad, inside front cover.