Lemons

When life gives you lemons, make Lemonade.

Okay, so a lemon is not an herb, but I felt like the benefits of lemon are definitely worth sharing. Lemons are a versatile and an important natural medicine available for home use. It is high in vitamin C which helps the body resist infection, making it an effective choice to use against colds and flu. It is also great for digestion, stomach conditions,  skin conditions, circulatory problems and thickening of the arterial walls (arteriosclerosis).

Benefits of Lemons include:

• Nutritious and contain several vitamins and minerals such as:
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Vitamins A & C
• B Vitamins
• Copper
• Flavonoids, a composite that holds antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
• Skin Care:
• The citric acid in lemons make it effective for treating acne. The vitamin C helps to brighten the skin, while the alkaline present helps to kill bacteria and infections in the skin.
• With a cotton ball apply lemon juice to face nightly and wash off in the morning.  At first it may sting a little, but is effective at treating acne.
• Great for corns and calluses. Take a slice of lemon and apply it to the affected area, wrap and bandage it on. 
• Reduce the effects of eczema a with a lemon wrap.
• Add 8 drops of lemon essential oil to 1 cup lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon of  honey. Honey has anti-inflammatory effects and strengthens the healing power of lemon.  Soak a linen cloth in the liquid, squeeze out the excess, and place the cloth on the affected area for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. This ease the infection  and it will reduce the overwhelming urge to scratch.
• Take the sting out of bug bites and stings.
• Massage 1 to 2 drops of lemon oil mixed with 1 tsp of honey onto the affected area.
• Health Benefits:
• Lemons antiseptic and cleansing actions make it valuable for those who are prone to infections and fevers, especially of the stomach, liver and intestines.
• Bioflavonoids help strengthen the inner lining of blood vessels, especially veins and capillaries to help reduce varicose veins.
• Helps prevent circulatory disorders.
• Helps prevent bleeding gums.
• Improves the appetite and helps ease stomach acidity, ulcers, arthritis, gout and rheumatism.
• Use as a gargle to relieve sore throats, gingivitis, and canker sores.
• Never use straight lemon as a gargle as it can strip the enamel off teeth. Be sure to dilute with water.
• Lemon Balm has a calming effect, making it effective to reduce anxiety and stress.
• Ease effects of Cold and Flu:
•  Add the juice of one lemon to hot water, add honey and drink every two hours.
• Relieve a sore throat.
• Add the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon of sea salt to 1 cup lukewarm water. Gargle three times a day for 1 minute.
• Ease Pain:
• Lemon juice has a powerful alkaline effect in the body and is therefore a natural agent against excess acid, which is in part responsible for rheumatism. Drink the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water 3 times a day and if you experience severe pain add the juice of 2 lemons 3 times a day.
  Lemon oil has pain-relieving qualities, so to inhibit inflammation and ease pain, massage the affected area daily with several drops of lemon oil mixed with 1 tablespoon jojoba oil.
• Indigestion and Constipation:
• Drinking lemon water regularly will help cleanse the bowels and remove toxins. Add the juice of one lemon to warm water and drink first thing in the morning.
• Internal Bleeding:
•  Lemon has antiseptic and styptics properties, it can stop internal bleeding. You can apply lemon juice on small cotton and place inside of  nose to stop nose bleeding.
• High Blood Pressure: Drinking lemon juice is helpful for people suffering with heart problems as it contains potassium. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as provides relaxation to mind and body. 
• Weight Loss:
• Adding lemon to water helps promotes digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes.  This stimulation helps with digestion as well as the utilization of fats.
• Good for the Liver:
• Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning stimulates the liver to produce bile which aids in digestion.
• Stabilizes blood sugar levels:
• The acidity in lemons help to reduce the blood sugar level when lemon water is drank shortly before or after a meal.
• Cholera: The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon juice, as it acts as a blood purifier.
• Lemon makes a natural cleaning agent:
• Because lemons are acidic they provide antibacterial and antiseptic cleaning properties.  Not only will they disinfect but they will leave your home with a wonderful citrus smell.

I could do a whole other post on the cleaning benefits of lemons. I will leave that for another day.  To learn how to make lemon vinegar, head on over to One Good thing by Jilliee. She has a great post on lemons.

Amazing all the benefits of lemons and I have only touched on a few of the benefits of drinking lemon water.  If you love essential oils, invest in lemon as it will be a great one to have on hand for skin care and health issues.  So go stock up on lemons and essential oil and enjoy the benefits.

References:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html#
http://www.livestrong.com/article/491372-what-are-the-benefits-of-lemon-water-weight-loss/?utm_source=undefined_R1