When Life Hands You Lemons

When Life Hands You Lemons

The age-old proverb suggests that lemons are associated with some of the harsh realities of life. 

However,  the adage also encourages us to look at the brighter side and strive for excellence.  

One amazing fact about lemons: Although it's acid to the taste or on the skin, it is alkalizing inside the body. 

Regarding our health and healing, lemons are chock-full of health preserving nutrients for overall well-being.

Lemons help you:

Maintain glowing skin
Fight viruses
Lower blood pressure
Lose Weight
Boost Iron Absorption
Alkalize the body
Use as a Household Cleaner

Promote younger-looking skin

Lemons are rich in vitamin-C, one of the main ingredients for anti-aging properties.  

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that produces collagen, a protein found in the skin.

It helps tone the skin and improves texture and elasticity to reduces wrinkles and premature aging. 

The Vitamin C in lemons is said to help improve the texture and elasticity fo skin.  

Good for:  

Treating acne, blackheads, eczema

Reducing scars from burns, 
Cooling burning skin (sunburn)
Soothing pain from bee stings

Treating dandruff

Promoting shiny hair

Lose weight

Studies show the organic compounds in lemon peel helps reduce body weight. 

Lemons contain 17 calories

7 mg magnesium

0.5 mg iron

116 mg potassium

Carbohydrates, calcium, protein, zinc, fat, folate, sodium. Vitamin A, phosphorous, fiber, and sugar.

Alkalize the body

Lemons contain a pH balance of at least 2.2 and help to alkalize the body's pH balance because of it's high citric acid content. 

Clean the liver and boost metabolism

It also boosts liver function by flushing toxins from the body.

The bitterness in lemons helps the body produce bile, which in turn stimulates the gallbladder.

When we consume high-fat foods, the animal fat makes the liver work harder to absorb fat. Fats reduce bile flow which affects digestion.

Lemons help stimulate liver function and promote better bile flow to improve digestion.

Improve digestion

Lemons help purify the internal organs to reduce indigestion and constipation.  

Recipe:

Juice of 1 lemon

1 cup warm water

A few mint leaves                         

A few crushed fennel seeds

A pinch of rock salt

Sugar or honey to taste

Keep you calm

Lemons help balance the nervous system to keep you relaxed, reduce stress and depression and improve the mind and body.

To Reduce dizziness and nausea: use 1/2 to 1/4 lemons as needed.

Flush the liver and reduce gallstones

(On an empty stomach) drink:

One glass of warm water and at least 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon

One tsp. honey (optional)

OR: 

Equal parts extra-virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice

OR:

1/2 lemon squeezed

1/2 grapefruit juice

2 Tbsp. extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil

Use for up to 5 days. 

Caution:  Do not use grapefruits if you are taking certain heart medications, always check with your doctor. 

Fight infections:

• Lemons also act as an anti-bacterial and diuretic:
• Treats arthritis and rheumatism 
• Soothe and relieve respiratory symptoms 
• Improves breathing in asthmatics 
• Heals throat infection 
• Breaks fever by producing perspiration    
  

Boost the immune system

Lemons contain more than 20 anti-cancer compounds. One such compound, limonene is an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce the growth of tumors and cancers in the stomach, colon, skin, pancreas, and liver.

Promote healthy gums

Use lemons to:

• Relieve toothaches (rub fresh juice to reduce pain)
• Help reduce bleeding gums
• Freshen the breath (Add a drop of lemon juice to regular toothpaste. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water).  

Antiseptic and antifungal:

Lemons can also help stop internal bleeding and nosebleeds (insert a cotton ball with  a few drops of lemon into the nostril)

Lemon oil is helpful to treat warts and ringworm. Squeeze the peel and rub it on the skin for insect bites and healing burns. 

Reduce cholesterol

The pectin fiber in lemons helps maintain a healthy colon.  Pectin acts as a binder on the colon walls by slowing the glucose absorption and trapping carbohydrates. 

Lower blood pressure 

Some studies suggest 1walk and some lemons a day will do wonders at keeping your blood pressure down.

A study in Japan shows women who walked regularly and consumed lemons each day had lower blood pressure readings than those who didn't.

Fight free radicals

Studies show the citrus in lemons, and other fruits help lower cancer risks, especially in women. 

It also shows that women who ate lots of citrus fruits including lemons almost lowered their risk of stroke by up to  20%. 

The high antioxidant levels in vitamin C may help prevent free radicals which may cause some types of cancer.

Help the body absorb iron

Studies show consuming lemons help the body absorb iron more efficiently.  

Using foods rich in Vitamin C together with iron-rich foods help increase the body's ability to absorb iron. 

For example:

Spinach, garbanzo = iron

Squeeze lemon on salads with these ingredients to help top up your iron intake as well as provide vitamin C.

Use lemons in a variety of ways:

·         To replace vinegar in some recipes

·         Beverages

·         Condiments

·         Sauces

·         Baking        

     Stir-Fries

·         Desserts

·         Cakes

·         Pies 

     Preserves 

     Dressings

All-purpose household cleaner

Use lemons in and around the home to clean, polish keep it fresh and bright!

                                                                      

                       

Furniture polish: Add a few drops of lemon juice or lemon oil to olive oil to help shine wooden floors and furniture.    

• Clothing

Lemons help remove stains from white clothes and freshen the laundry. 

• Bathrooms

Use lemon juice and baking soda to scrub stubborn stains from bathtubs and shower walls. Lemons also help eliminate odors.

• Insect repellent
The scent of lemons helps repel mosquitoes. 

Lemons have been around for ages, and are excellent at treating a variety of ailments naturally. 

Use them to calm the nerves, treat burns and stings, deodorize the home and cleanse the body and.

Make it a habit to include more lemons for overall health and well-being.

So the next time life hands you lemons, reach out and grab them!