Secrets of Lemons

I have always had a fascination for lemons. I've painted them on crockery, salad bowls and hung pictures of them in the kitchen.

Lemons make the most beautiful trees; potted as in the Mediterranean style, (see my new 18 month old lemon tree on the front patio), and as an addition to the garden, the bright yellow of the fruit and full shiny green of the leaves adds to any garden layout.

Lemons can be used for so much in your life that it would be wonderful to grow your own. As the Meyer lemon tree can be potted and grown indoors providing it receives about 6 hours of sun daily, anyone can have their own fresh lemons.

• When you feel a dose of flu coming along, just holding that freshly picked lemon makes you feel better. Want a cool summer drink or something fancier - just fetch a lemon please!

• I used a very successful table decoration for an all-male breakfast party - lemons piled high in a bowl or placed in a tall vase, with either lemon tree leaves or ivy - so much better than traditional flowers.

• Don't worry about taking that stain to the dry cleaners, just fetch a lemon and I'll sort it out.

The ancient Egyptians believed that lemons were effective against a variety of poisons and the mighty little lemon, research has found, does have strong antibacterial, antiviral, plus astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, calming and immune-boosting powers. It also aids digestion and is a liver and blood cleanser containing citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin that promotes immunity and fights infections, and promotes bone and heart health.

Lemon Essential Oil is a worthwhile addition to home remedies.

The rind of the lemon is used to make the Essential Oil.

Aromatically it is uplifting to the body, mind and improves concentration.

Note:

Please remember that if you have heartburn, gall bladder or kidney problems consult your doctor first before using lemon remedies.

Fatigue

Distance walkers and travelers suck on a lemon as it's a marvelous thirst quencher as well as offering protection against many tropical infections. Add it to water to counteract varying conditions of water supplies on your travels.

A glass of water with lemon juice every few hours alleviates tiredness.

Hair Lightener

Apply fresh lemon juice to your hair before exposing it to the sun. Many a blonde schoolgirl employed lemon juice as a lightener.

Halitosis

Lemons can freshen sour breath. Rinsing your mouth with lemon and water or chewing a lemon slice after each meal will help to freshen your breath.

Hypertension

Garlic and onions are effective in the fight against high blood pressure and should be combined with lemon’s effective healing power.

Mix 3 crushed garlic cloves, 1 chopped onion into 1 quart of cold skimmed, or soy milk. Bring to a boil and let is stand for 5 minutes.

Pour through a sieve and chill. Add the freshly squeezed juice of 3 lemons and sip throughout the day.

Bug Bites

Remove the stinger with a tweezer and massage into the skin 1 – 2 drops of lemon oil mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey.

Mix 20 drops of lemon oil to 1 cup of water and spray into the air to repel insects. Mix 10 drops of lemon oil into 1.5 oz of olive oil and rub into the skin to keep insects away while outside.

Nail strengthener:

Mix olive oil and lemon juice in equal parts and soak your nails, excellent if they are dry and brittle, or have yellowed.

Pain

Lemon juice is a powerful alkaline and a natural aid against excess acid which is partly responsible for rheumatism. Mix the juice of 1 lemon, into 1 glass of warm water three times a day. If the pain is severe, make the juice using 2 lemons and drink three times a day.

Massage the affected painful areas with several drops of lemon oil mixed with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil.

Skin Brightener

Lemon will brighten your skin and lighten dark spots over time while it boosts collagen production. Use an SPF as the fruit can make your skin sun sensitive. Be careful of putting undiluted lemon juice on your skin if you have a sensitive skin.


Varicose and Spider Veins

Lemon oil has vessel-strengthening properties. For spider veins take 2 - 3 drops of lemon oil daily mixed with jojoba, avocado or almond oil and massage the affected area.

Varicose veins: Take 6 drops of lemon oil, 50ml wheat germ oil and 2 drops of cypress and juniper oil. Massage gently into legs from the bottom to top.

Soak in a bath for 15 minutes with 8 drops of lemon oil, 4 drops of cypress oil and 1 tablespoon of honey. Pat your skin dry when getting out.

Warts

Apply lemon juice directly to the wart using a cotton swab. Repeat it for several days until the acid in the lemon dissolves the wart.

Acne

Vitamin C is vital for skin health, and as it's alkaline it kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. In the morning, first thing, drink lemon juice in warm water to cleanse your system.

Evening: Soak fresh lemon juice on cotton wool and then dab onto the acne and leave it overnight.

For sensitive skin, mix part fresh lemon juice with an equal part of rose water or honey and spread over the affected area. Leave for at least 30 minutes.

Canker Sores

Antibacterial and antiviral properties of lemons accelerate the healing process. Mix fresh lemon juice into a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with it. Do this three times daily.

Colds, Chills and Fevers

An old trick for colds that was well known in my Gran's time. To a cup of hot water, add the juice of a lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey and drink at once, continue this process every 2 hours until the fever or chill subsides.

In severe cases, take 1 -2 paracetamol tablets at night with the drink.

Digestive system and Stomach

Drink the juice of 1 lemon in a glass of warm water after each meal to stimulate the production of stomach acid.

Tonsillitis or Sore throat

Stir the juice of a lemon and 1 teaspoon of sea salt into 1-cup warm water. Gargle three times a day for 1 minute each.

In the case of tonsillitis gargle every 2 hours for at least 30 seconds with freshly squeezed juice of one lemon. Hold your head back when gargling so that it reaches your throat.

Cleansing Wipes for problem skin

10 drops fresh lemon and tea tree oil in 6 ounces of distilled water. Use as a toner with cotton pads for a cleansing wipe.

Clarifying moisturizer:

Mix a couple of drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. The coconut hydrates your skin while lemon will clear and brighten it.

Corns & Calluses

Apply a 5mm slice of lemon to the corn, bandage securely, and leave on overnight. To accelerate healing, dab the affected area with Lemon Oil ensuring it is only on the callused skin as it is very strong.

Dandruff

Treat flaky dandruff and itchy scalp by massaging two tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp, after 2 minutes rinse with water.

Rinse your hair with one teaspoon of lemon juice stirred into one cup of water. Repeat daily until dandruff disappears.

Eczema

A lemon wrap can relieve skin infections such as eczema. Place 8 Drops of lemon essential oil into 1 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon of honey. Soak a cotton cloth in the liquid; squeeze out excess and gently place the cloth on the area for 15 minutes three times a day.

It will also help with the urge to scratch.

Elbow and knee bleach

If the skin is dark in these areas, cut a lemon in half and rub them. Magic!

Tea

All of the health teas you drink, including black tea, rooibos and green tea, will benefit from a slice of lemon.

The number one health tip is to drink tepid water with fresh lemon first thing in the morning, which will benefit you in the following ways:

• High potassium content helps those with heart problems.

• Excellent source of vitamin C and citric acid.

• Potassium to nourish brain and nerve cells.

• Phosphorus, calcium and magnesium for bone health

• Contain pectin fiber, which is beneficial for colon health

• It balances pH levels in the body

• It flushes out toxins in the body

• It aid digestion and encourages bile production

• Helps reduce pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid.

• Prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections.

• Helps to prevent wrinkles and acne

• Maintains eye health

• Replenishes body salts especially after a strenuous workout

Note: Lemon juice in direct contact with teeth can ruin their enamel. So, rinse with clear water and only clean your teeth 30 minutes after consuming lemon.

Fridge Odours

Half a lemon in the fridge takes care of funny odours, once the source has been removed. The same applies to a room, except in this case cut a whole lemon into quarters, and place it in the room in a dish.

Cutting Boards

Rub half a lemon over the board to help sanitize it.

Insects and Ants

Squirt some fresh lemon juice on doorways and windowsills. Squeeze juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Wash your floors with the juice of 4 lemons and their rinds with 2 liters (1/2 gallon) of water. The roaches and fleas will leave your premises as they cannot bear the smell.

Deodorize your Garbage

Leftover lemon (and orange peel) put under the bag on the base of the bin will keep it fresh. Change every couple of weeks.

Guacamole

Squeeze lemon juice over guacamole or avocado to keep it green, the same applies to apple in order that it doesn’t discolour.

Crisp up soggy Lettuce

Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water and put soggy lettuce into it and then refrigerate for one hour. Dry the lettuce leaves completely before putting them into salads.

Berry Stains

After picking berries wash your hands with undiluted lemon juice, wait a few minutes, and wash with warm, soapy water. Repeat if necessary.

Moth Balls

Take ripe lemons and stick cloves all over the skin. The heavily studded lemons slowly dry with the cloves, leaving a marvelous odour throughout the cupboards.

Boost Laundry Detergent

Need a powerful cleaning action; pour 1 cup lemon juice in the washer during the wash cycle. The bleaching action will remove stains, rust and mineral discolorations from cotton, briefs, etc.

Dry Clean Clothes

Scrub the stained area on shirts, blouses etc., with equal parts lemon juice and water.

Tarnished Brass, Copper, or Chrome

Make a paste of lemon juice and salt or baking soda instead of salt and coat the affected area. Leave it for 5 minutes then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. The same mixture cleans metal kitchen sinks too. Rub lemon rind over chrome faucets to get rid of mineral deposits, then rinse.