The lemon is a fruit that although it is almost unpalatable to eat alone has wonderful nutritional and medicinal properties. Most kitchens will have a few lemons rolling around since they provide flavor to numerous foods, act as an astringent, stain remover or deodorizer, and add a little zing to many beverages.

High in Vitamin C, the lemon has also been used as a preventative to many infections and can accelerate the healing process of injuries. Vitamin C affects every cell in the body and plays a major role in the production of the connective tissue. It also serves as the major component of collagen; the material that makes tissue from cells.

Lemons are a good source of antioxidants. These electron donors are water soluble and short lived thereby eliminating the free radicals and dissipating quickly once the electron has been exchanged.

Lemons are able to boost immune function and thereby making lemon in hot water a tasty preventative to colds or to help overcome the symptoms once the virus has taken hold. Back in the 18th century, sailors often consumed lemons to ward off the effects of scurvy.

Lemon water has been touted as a diuretic and may have a slight laxative effect but it also may degrade tooth enamel of consumed regularly. Those individuals with urinary tract infections or uric acid related ailments such as arthritis benefit from lemon juice as it aids in flushing the toxins from the body.

These bright yellow citrus fruits also have wonderful preventative properties. Once this acidic fruit is digested, the lemon has an alkaline effect on the body. This is from the bioflavonoids which have an antiseptic effect on the blood vessels and strengthens the inner walls and minimized bruising. This cleansing result also prevents the production of plaque in the vessels which is a leading cause of arteriosclerosis.

Hot lemon water has also been a good cure for nausea, heartburn and several other digestive ailments. Lemon juice can also be used as a tonic for the liver as it stimulates the production of bile which readies the body to digest food.

Lemons also contain a substance called limonoids which have been found to combat cancers in the skin, breast, lungs, mouth, stomach and colon. This substance is able to persist in the blood for a long period of time allowing them to battle against cancerous cells and preventing them from multiplying.

On a lesser medicinal use, lemon is a wonderful skin or hair lightener and is often combined in shampoos. Lemon juice can be used to decrease the presence of freckles and age spots. Lemon juice can help lift a stain in fabric and when combined with course salt, makes an excellent copper cleaner. Best yet, lemon peels ground up in the garbage disposal give your kitchen a fresh lemony fragrance.

Keep several lemons on hand at all times; if for no other reason just to make a refreshing and tasty beverage!

Learn more about this author, CD Gozzi.
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