After serving a five-month jail sentence in 2005, domestic diva Martha Stewart was asked what she missed most while she was locked away. Her answer? Lemons.
And who can blame her? The little yellow fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. Not only is this citrus wonder packed with vitamins A, B and C and iron and calcium, but it contains magical healing and cleaning powers as well.
Most of us know that a lemon slice can add sparkle to a glass of water and tame the smell of salmon, but are you aware of its many health, beauty and household benefits? Instead of using potentially harmful chemicals, try adding a little lemon to your daily routine for a cheap, safe and fresh solution to what ails you.
Used alone or mixed with other natural elements such as salt, honey, baking soda or water, the benefits of the lemon's citric acids and disinfectant properties are equal to those of vinegar and it smells better too!
Here are some great ways you can harness the power of the mighty lemon:
Remove Stains/Deodorize
Mix a little lemon juice with baking soda to safely remove tough food stains and odors from kitchen counters, cutting boards and any other place that comes in contact with food. Use straight lemon juice to remove stains on hands.
Clean and Disinfect
Mix fresh lemon juice with water to use for killing mold, bacteria, and germs on just about any surface. Great for cleaning and refreshing coffee pots, tea kettles, kitchen tiles and more.
Deter Bugs
Most bugs hate citrus. Deter ants, roaches, fleas and other insects from coming into your home by cleaning kitchen floors and counters with a half-gallon of water mixed with the juice and rinds of several lemons. Squeeze a little lemon juice into holes or cracks where bugs might enter. Scatter small slices of dried lemon peel around door entrances and windowsills.
Clean/Shine Metal
Just cut a lemon in half, dip it in salt and scrub stainless steel, chrome, copper and brass pots and pans, and sinks to a shiny nearly new finish.
Whiten Laundry
Add a cup of lemon juice to the washer to help remove stains and whiten whites. Hang clothes in the sun for more whitening power. For tough stains, work a paste of salt and lemon juice into stain and allow the garment to dry. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Clear Skin
Use lemon juice to lighten age spots and freckles. It can also help clear up blackheads and acne. Apply pure lemon juice on affected areas at night and then rinse with cool water in the morning.
Lighten Hair
Spray the hair with a mixture of lemon juice and water and dry under the sun to add golden highlights.
Get Rid of Dandruff
Rinse hair with mixture of two tablespoons of lemon juice and two cups of water after shampooing to control dandruff. Repeat every other day until dandruff is gone.
Ease Constipation
Add two teaspoons of lemon juice to a glass of warm water and drink before breakfast to help eliminate constipation.
Remove Warts
Apply lemon juice to the wart every day until it falls off.
Relieve Itching
Apply lemon Juice over irritated areas to soothe itching and alleviate minor rashes.
Ward off Cold and Flu Symptoms
Take a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice three or four times a day to relieve cold or flu symptoms, or prevent them altogether. Add lemon and honey to warm water or tea to soothe a sore throat or ease a cough.