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 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.
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