The Many Uses of Lemon As a Health Supplement

The Many Uses of Lemon As a Health Supplement
by Fabiola Castillo

watering.

Lemon juice is normally sprinkled onto fish dishes because its acidity can neutralize
the basicity of the amines found in fish thereby converting them an ammonium salt
complex. Furthermore, lemon juice is widely used, in conjunction with other
ingredients, when marinating meat before cooking. The citric acid can denature, or
break down, the cadherin and cadhesin proteins that hold the meat's muscle fibers
together. Therefore, use of lemon juice allows the meat to become tender. It is a
myth that lemon juice makes a good antibiotic. In reality, lemon juice that is
sprinkled on freshly cut fruit such as pears helps to prevent oxidation (or browning of
fruit).

Some people choose to eat lemon as a fruit. By doing so, be sure to consume water
afterwards to help wash the citric acid and sugar from the teeth. Failure to do so can
promote a favorable environment for tooth decay and other diseases of the
dentition. One hundred mL of lemon juice contain about 50 mg of vitamin C and 5 g
of citric acid. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is believed that a cup of hot water with lemon
juice in it can cleanse and purify the liver.

Lemons are ovoid in shape and light yellow in color and have a thick, rough skin
when ripe. When buying lemons, be sure to choose smooth-skinned lemons in case
you plan to store lemons for a period of time in your refrigerator. Lemons are
plentiful in many food nutrients such as citric acid. They are widely used for medicinal
purposes due to their citric acid and vitamin C content. In addition, they are highly
regarded for their juice which is many times used as an accessory to food. Lemon
juice has the ability to improve the flavor and increase the taste of many different
dishes.

According to Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden, he writes that lemon is "an
antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis (the presence of pathogenic bacteria)
or putrefaction (tissue decomposition).

For those who have symptoms of indigestion such as bloating, heartburn, and
belching, they will find that lemon juice can promote relief. By drinking lemon juice on
a regular basis, the bowels can eliminate waste more efficiently thus minimizing
constipation and diarrhea.

Other nutrients found in lemon include potassium 48.3%, calcium 29.9%,
phosphorus 11.1%, and magnesium 4.4%. Lemons have been found useful in
treating conditions such as asthma, colds, coughs, diphtheria, liver problems, scurvy,
and rheumatism.

Scientists advise that lemon water should be used in every person that has a
tolerance for it. That is, if there is no allergic reaction to lemon (as a small percentage
of the population does have a true allergic reaction to lemon) and no active ulcers,
then all children and adults should ingest lemon water. The juice in lemon provides a
natural strengthening reagent to liver enzymes by helping to affix oxygen and calcium
in the liver to regulate blood carbohydrate levels, which, in turn, affects blood oxygen
levels. The liver can manufacture more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any
other kind of food.

To treat a sore throat, mix one part lemon juice with one part water and gargle
frequently. For those who have asthma, ingest one tablespoon of lemon juice one
hour before every meal. For those with liver problems, mix the juice of one lemon
with hot water and drink it down one hour before eating breakfast every morning. To
break up the flu or influenza, mix the juice of one lemon with hot water and drink it
down while at the same time soak your feet in water with mustard added to it. To
relieve heartburn, mix two teaspoons of lemon juice with a glass of water and drink.
To treat rheumatism, one or two ounces of lemon juice diluted in water should be
taken three times a day...one hour before each meal and once at bedtime. To treat
scurvy, take one to two ounces of lemon juice diluted with water.

There are many benefits to drinking lemon juice including the prevention of
different kinds of disorders, viruses, and diseases.

Oral diseases: Due to the high concentration of vitamin C, this property of
lemon juice helps to strengthen the gums and teeth. It is also highly effective in
the prevention of acute inflammations of the margins of the gums, cavities, and
other oral diseases.
Digestive problems: Lemon juice promotes the flow of saliva and gastric juice
and is looked upon as an excellent digestive agent. It helps to kill intestinal
parasites and eliminates gases that form in the gastrointestinal tract. This juice
is very beneficial in treating several digestive anomalies such as dyspepsia (acid
reflux) and constipation. Drinking fresh lemon juice with water easily relieves
acid reflux.
Rheumatic affections: Even though lemon has a sour taste, its reaction in the
body is basic (or alkaline). Taking advantage of this valuable information can
allow one to treat rheumatic affections such as gout, sciatica, low back pain, hip
joint pain, and rheumatism, which all result from too much acidity in the body.
Taking in adequate amounts of lemon juice can prevent the deposition of uric
acid crystals in the tissues and thus help eliminate the possibility of an attack of
gout.
Circulatory problems: Lemon juice is not only abundant in vitamin C, it is also
a rich source of vitamin P (bioflavonoids), which is found both in the juice and
the peel of the fruit. Vitamin P is essential for controlling bleeding in a variety of
conditions and for promoting capillary integrity. Lemon is highly regarded as a
valuable food medicine in the treatment of high blood pressure and
arteriosclerosis.
Foot relaxation: Soaking your sore feet in hot water is a great way to relax
the feet. Then you rub your feet with fresh lemon juice. The heat from the
water will promote opening of the pores while subsequent application of lemon
juice will provide a cooling, astringent effect. It is believed that this method also
promotes healthy sleep.
Throat problems: Throat disorders such as catarrh, choking sensations, and
itching sensitivities can be relieved by the properties found in lemon juice. A ripe
unpeeled lemon should be roasted slowly until it starts to crack open. Then
harvest one teaspoon of its juice, add a small amount of honey, and ingest it
about once every hour. Sip it slowly.
Fevers: Lemon juice is a great thirst-quencher when you are suffering from
pox, scarlet, measles, and other fevers. These fevers promote dehydration,
polydipsia (extreme thirst), and very hot and dry skin.
Cold: If you suffer from a bad cold, juice two lemons and combine with 500 mL
of boiling water. Add honey, and take at bedtime. Again, sip it slowly.
Cholera: The properties of lemons can kill cholera bacilli instantaneously.
Lemons are very effective for this purpose when freshly juiced.

As you can see, lemon juice has many uses as a health supplement. If you are
looking for a natural healing alternative to prevent some of the conditions listed here,
pick up some lemons at your local grocery store.

About The Author

Fabiola Castillo is an online marketer for the website NinjaCOPS SuperStore. This
virtual store sells not only personal defense items but also nutrition products such as
, energy supplements, marine coral calcium, , and weight and fat loss supplements.

The lemon is a hybrid citrus tree of
cultivated origin. This fruit is used to
make juice while its pulp and rind are
meant for other uses. Citric acid
makes up about 5% of lemon juice
which has an acidic (sour) taste and a
pH of about 2 or 3. Due to the
acidity, lemon juice makes a readily
available acid for use in high school
chemistry laboratory experiments.
Lemons thrive in tropical and
sub-tropical climates but can not
flourish in frost and extremely cold
temperatures. They require an
abundance of water but should be
permitted to dry out between

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.