Lemon is a citrus fruit that is popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is a rich source of vitamin C and contains vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates.

Daily consumption of lemon water provides numerous health benefits, which include fighting throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, fever, hair care, skin care, internal bleeding, rheumatism, burns, overweight, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure.

Lemon helps to strengthen your immune system and cleanses your stomach. It is not only a blood purifier but also enables the body to fight diseases.

1. Respiratory disorders

Lemon juice assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma. This is as a result of the rich source of vitamin C that is in it.

Action: Squeeze two lemon halves into a glass of warm water. Mix with a little bit of honey for taste. Alternatively mix one teaspoon lemon juice with a pinch of ginger alternatively. Drink daily to keep asthma attacks away. Ginger combined with lemon acts as a natural anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory medicine to combat the phelgm and clear the throat and bronchial passages to help the asthma patient breath properly

2. High Blood Pressure

Lemon controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as it provides relaxation to the mind and the body. It reduces mental stress and depression.

Action: Include the zest and juice of a lemon in your daily diet.

3. Weight loss

One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it the paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. Lemons contain pectin, a natural fibre and gelling agent which, cleans up fat stored by the body and reduces absorption.

Action: If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

4. Coughs and sore throat

Lemon can naturally soothe the throat and suppress coughing. Lemon essential oil is an expectorant. It also helps you to sleep at night.

Action: Mix four tablespoons of lemon juice, one cup honey, and one-half cup of olive oil. Heat five minutes, then stir vigorously for two minutes. Take one teaspoon every two hours.

5. Urine or bladder infection

A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection that occurs when bacteria takes up residence in the bladder. This bacteria is usually e.coli and enters the body through the urethra, either from poor hygiene, lack of water intake or sexual intercourse. Women are much more likely to develop these infections than men because of the relative shorter length of the urethra. Common symptoms include painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine and pressure in the lower abdomen. Consuming diluted lemon juice can flush toxins from the body, help remove bacteria from the bladder and eliminate bladder infections.

Action: Consume the juice of half a lemon two or three times a day, neat or sprinkled on food.

6.  Stop bleeding and disinfect minor wounds bites and stings.

Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can contribute to cure problems related to skin.

Action: Pour lemon juice on a cut or apply with a cotton ball

7. Natural Skin Care and Beauty Treatment

Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty by rejuvenating the skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads.

Action: For brighter, softer skin use fresh lemon juice on any area of your body, including the knees, elbows, and face to brighten up and soften your skin. Lemon juice also fades freckles and age spots by applying lemon juice on the areas before going to bed at night. Over the course of a week or two, it will cleanse the skin and lighten its color. You can also add 1/2 cup of fresh juice to your bath water and soak for 20 minutes for an all over skin treatment. Cited: ehow, 2011.

• Eliminate blackheads.

Rub lemon juice over blackheads before going to bed. Wait until morning to wash off the juice with cool water. Repeat for several nights until you see a big improvement in the skin.

• Moisturizing Mask

Make a moisturizing mask for dry skin by mixing equal amounts of honey, lemon and olive oil. Apply the mixture to dry areas on the skin and allow it to dry thoroughly for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. For more beauty treatment tips visit, ehow.
 

8. For Dental use

If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums. In addition, lemon can also be used in regular cleansing of your teeth.

Action: You can look for a toothpaste containing lemon as one of the ingredients, or add a drop of lemon juice on your toothpaste. Some people also rub their teeth with the outer shell (the inner side touching your teeth) of a lemon after removing the juice. Take care - if your mouth starts burning, quickly put some water in your mouth.

9. Fresh Breath

As a natural breath freshener the citric acid from lemons destroys odor causing bacteria. You can quickly clear bad breath by squeezing a few drops of lemon juice into your mouth, gurgle around for about 15 seconds and then swallow it, or drink lemon water during the day. Just remember though that prolonged use can affect your teeth's enamel.

10.  Hair and Nails

For strong and healthy hair and nails use lemon:

• Get rid of dandruff.

Apply one tablespoon of lemon juice to your hair. Shampoo, then rinse with water. Rinse again with a mixture of two tablespoons lemon juice and two cups water. Repeat every other day until dandruff disappears.

• Nails

If you don't have money for a manicure and your nails are looking a bit off-colour, use what life hands you. You can soak your nails in some water and lemon juice to give it natural whitening. You could also rub the wedge on your nail. For more tips on hair and nail treatment visit ehow.com

 Sources:

• Essortment
• ehow
• Compassnewspaper

Page Updated: 07 October 2011

by Zanele Matshotyana

 

Disclaimer

Every effort is made to ensure that the information made available on this article is accurate and up to date. However, the City of Cape Town cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, nor that this information is up to date.