The lemon is a highly regarded fruit for its health properties. It is grown in abundance in India and is available throughout the year. It is round to oval in shape and light yellow in color, with thick, rough skin. It contains a number of food properties, which contribute to health in more ways than one. Its chief ingredient vitamin C is used widely in medicine.

Lemon is used mainly as a food accessory to add flavor and improve the taste. It is used in salads, jams, jellies, marmalades, pickles and squashes. It is used extensively for preparing a cooling and refreshing drink in summer.

Natural Benefits & Curative properties

Various parts of the lemon are used for medicinal purposes. Its rind or outer covering is used for a yellow volatile oil which is added to medicines for its carminative (relieving flatulence) and flavoring properties.

The juice of the lemon detoxifies the system with its high potassium content. The juice encourages bile secretion, is helpful in treatment of jaundice and destroys the germs of such deadly diseases as diphtheria and typhoid.

The bark of the lemon tree is used for preventing fevers and seeds for expelling the worms from the body.

Medicinal Uses

1. Lemon is effective in fevers as a thirst - quenching drink.
2. In digestive system lemon plays a number of roles. It is an appetizer, an excellent digestive agent, a destroyer of intestinal worms and an eliminator of gases. A spoonful of lemon juice in a little water relieves heartburn.
3. In case of burning soles and heels, rubbing of sliced lemon relieves the pain by eliminating toxins through the pores of the feet.
4. One part of lemon juice taken with three parts of water and a little sugar or honey helps in preventing and treating Scurvy.
5. The high content of vitamin C in lemon strengthens the gums and teeth, prevents and cures inflammations, pyorrhea and other oral diseases.
6. Lemon is an excellent remedy for Obesity. An exclusive use of lemon juice dissolved in plenty of water for a few days is useful in reducing fat.
7. Lemon is effective in treating throat disorders including catarrh, choking sensation and itching etc. One spoonful juice of unpeeled, roasted lemon taken with honey once in every hour helps relieve these complications. Alternatively this can be mixed with boiled water and sipped slowly.
8. Lemon juice dissolved in water taken several times a day is effective in controlling the haemorrhage of internal organs such as lungs, stomach, kidneys, intestines,uterus etc.
9. Lemon being a rich source of vitamin P, is highly beneficial in treating many circulatory disorders including high blood pressure and arterio- sclerosis. It strengthens the entire arterial system.
10. Two lemons, divided into two halves and slightly heated, when taken with a little salt over a period of time have been found useful in the treatment of enlargement of spleen.
11. Lemon juice can kill the cholera bacilli in a short time. It is a very effective and dependable preventive food item against cholera during the epidemic.
12. The reaction of lemon in the body is alkaline despite its sour taste. This alkaline reaction is useful in cases of gout, rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, pain in hip joints which result from too much acid in the body. An adequate intake of lemon juice prevents the deposit of uteric acid in the tissues.
13. After a hard, tiring day soak your feet in hot water for sometime and thereafter rub lemon juice on your feet. It relaxes your feet and induces good sleep.
14. When suffering from corn apply a slice of lemon over the affected area with help of a bandage and let it remain there overnight. This treatment proves valuable in relieving pain.
15. Lemon possesses restorative properties, too. It cleanses the blemished skin, all that you have to do is rub a slice of lemon on it. It also assists in creating youthful appearance.