June 20, 2017
Did you know that lemons offer a host of different health benefits? Every part of the lemon has a purpose. From the rind to the zest to the juice, lemons offer plenty of versatile uses!
15 Uses for Lemons That Might Surprise You!
When life hands you lemons, make a warm cup of lemon water to balance your pH levels, support digestion, and boost immunity.
They’re an antioxidant powerhouse: Lemons are rich in the antioxidant Vitamin C, which makes them a great immune booster. Try reaching for a cup of hot lemon water the next time you feel a cold coming on! You can even add a touch of raw honey to help soothe your sore throat at the same time.
Don’t forget the peel!: The lemon peel contains up to 10 times as many vitamins as the juice itself. For this reason, try buying organic lemons, give them a wash, and add whole slices to your water bottle all day. You can also grate some lemon zest over salads, soups and even in smoothies for an extra punch of goodness.
Lemon is a natural antibacterial: If you feel a cold coming on, try gargling with lemon juice to ward off germs. You can also make a chemical-free antibacterial cleaning spray for your home by combining 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar with 5-6 drops of pure lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray on countertops and other surfaces to clean, shine and kill bacteria. I promise the vinegar smell only lasts until the spray is dry, then you’ll be left with a nice citrusy scent!
Lemons are excellent detoxifiers: Our liver is one of the main filtering organs in our body, and a cup of warm lemon water each morning helps the liver to work more efficiently.
Lemon + green tea = A match made in heaven!: Green tea contains catechins, the component that many studies have tied to reduced rates of some cancers and heart issues. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t absorb the catechins in green tea very well. Add a squeeze of lemon to help absorb more than 10 times the levels of catechins than you might without!
Lemons balance our pH: Lemons are acidic in taste, but they actually have an alkalizing effect in the body. Drink lemon water to help reduce acidity and increase vitality.
Lemon is iron’s BFF: Iron plays a huge role in the health of our bodies. It helps transport oxygen throughout our bodies while also offering antioxidant support. Did you know that some people who eat plenty of iron are STILL deficient? This is because a certain form of iron, called nonheme iron (The kind that mainly comes from plant sources such as legumes, whole grains and dried fruit), is not easily absorbed. If you consume nonheme iron alongside a good dose of Vitamin C from lemons, your body will absorb a higher amount of the nonheme iron. So the next time you have a salad with some black beans or lentils on top, try topping it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to get the most of the nonheme iron in it!
Lemons can help you poop: A warm glass of lemon water each morning will help get things moving and help keep you regular.
Lemons can help you pee, too: You probably don’t need help peeing, but hear me out – Lemon is a natural diuretic, which means it helps your body to eliminate fluids (and toxins) faster. For this reason, it offers many purifying effects in the body.
Lemon’s give a natural energy boost: Try diffusing a few drops of lemon essential oil to boost mood, increase energy and focus.
Lemon will make you GLOW: Lemon can be effective in clearing blackheads, reducing wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, eczema and acne. It can even be applied directly to scars to help reduce their appearance.
Lemon eliminates odours: Do you have stinky hands from chopping onions or garlic? Try rubbing them with a slice of lemon and then give them a good rinse. Voila! If the cutting board you used is stinky, rub the lemon there too! You can also slice a lemon and boil it on the stove in water for a few minutes to give your entire home a fresh, citrusy scent.
Lemon is a natural bleach: Make whites white again by adding them to a big bowl with a few slices of lemon and covering with a pot of boiled water from the kettle, then wash as usual (removing the lemon first, of course).
These are some of my favourite ways to use lemon, but I haven’t even scratched the surface with this list! What are your favourite uses for lemon?
