When most of us think of lemons, we either picture the lemonade stand we manned as children or instinctively pucker around the mouth thinking of their tartness. Surprisingly though, lemons can be used for many healthful benefits. Also, unlike a prescription or over-the-counter medication, lemons can be utilized by young and old alike.

Lemons are antiseptic as well as anti-scorbutic. What this means to all of us non-scientific people is that lemons help to prevent the presence of bacteria and will also help prevent disease by assisting in detoxifying our bodies of impurities. Lemons are particularly helpful to our livers because they provide a natural strengthening agent to liver enzymes and the liver can make more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any other food element.

Lemons are also easily digested, as in lemon water, and can help alleviate the symptoms of heartburn, bloating and belching. With their detoxifying qualities, by drinking lemon water regularly, the body is able to eliminate more waste more efficiently cutting down on the episodes of constipation or diarrhea. Lastly, with their potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, lemons are useful in treating asthma, colds, coughs, sore throat, the flu, scurvy, fevers and rheumatism. For pregnant woman, lemons are thought to help build the bones of the fetus with their calcium content. The potassium provides nourishment to the brain and the nerve cells. Lemons are also known to help slow down blood flow which can aid in cases of hemorrhaging or help in slowing down the flow of blood if a woman is experiencing a particularly difficult menstruation. There are several websites that list home remedies using lemons in homeopathic care.

The really great thing about lemons is that by consuming lemons on a daily basis, we are providing our bodies with a natural health benefit. This can be done by simply drinking lemon water. How much easier could that be? Because they are a natural product with no added chemicals, they are an extremely safe and effective alternative for providing remedies to common ailments or just promoting good health in general. Also, because they are a natural product, young and old alike can consume lemons safely and both will reap the healthy rewards. Perhaps after we begin to realize all the benefits of lemons, we will start saying "a lemon a day keeps the doctor away".

Learn more about this author, Michele Van Pelt.
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