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Health Benefits Of Lemon


Lemon is one of the most widely used citric fruits. It is highly valued not just as a culinary ingredient, but also for its health benefits. Some of the important health benefits of lemon are seen in the treatment of conditions like constipation, indigestion, throat infections, respiratory diseases, skin care, hair care, burns, obesity and even high blood pressure. The therapeutic properties of lemon help in strengthening the immune system and cleansing the stomach. Lemon not only helps with detoxification and blood purification, it also equips the body to fight against a variety of diseases and disorders.


Some of the important health benefits of lemon juice are that it helps in treating kidney stones, lowering body temperature in case of fevers and curing heat strokes. The numerous nutrition benefits of lemon juice are mainly because of the vital nutrients it contains. It is rich in vitamins B and C, phosphorous, carbohydrates and proteins that are essential for the proper functioning of the human body.

One of the well-known health benefits of lemon water is that it helps in faster weight loss.


Regular consumption of lemon juice mixed with a glass of warm water and honey is a great remedy for natural weight loss. Lemon water helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels in the body thereby boosting metabolism, which in turn can lead to healthy weight loss. Regular consumption of lemon water is also beneficial to those suffering from high blood pressure.


Many people use lemon grass in regular cooking because of its many benefits. One of the biggest health benefits of lemon grass is that it contains powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help in boosting overall immunity. It also helps to detoxify the pancreas, liver, kidneys, digestive system and the urinary bladder.


Similarly, one of the vital lemon peel benefits is the treatment of acne. The acidic properties of lemon peel help in getting rid of excess oil from the face, which is one of the main causes of acne. Lemon peel is also helpful in lightening the skin, which is especially beneficial to people with and uneven complexion.

Nutrition Facts of Lemon


One of the most important lemon nutrition facts is that it is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol or saturated fats. It contains natural citric acid that is not only a good preservative but also helps in digestion. This same citric acid is also helpful in dissolving kidney stones and treating kidney disorders. Lemons are very rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid that is a powerful natural antioxidant. Vitamin C also helps in preventing diseases like scurvy. Apart from these benefits, vitamin C helps in fighting a myriad of infections and eliminates inflammatory free radicals from the blood.

Nutrients In Lemon


Some of the other important nutrients in lemon include phytochemicals, flavonoids and glycosides, which are also found in other citrus fruits. These nutrients act like powerful antioxidants, free radical eliminators and anti-inflammatory agents that help in boosting the body’s overall immunity. These nutrients also help reduce the oxidation injuries to the cell DNA in the body. Lemons are a rich source of other nutrients like vitamin A, beta-carotene, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zea-xanthin, which also contain strong antioxidant properties. These nutrients not only help in maintaining healthy skin and mucus membranes, they are also vital for optimum vision. Furthermore, regular consumption of lemons can prevent oral cavity and lung cancers. Lemons are also rich in B-complex vitamins such as folate, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid, which are equally important for the proper functioning of various systems in the body. Vital minerals like copper, iron, calcium and potassium are found in good quantities in lemons that help in controlling blood pressure and pulse rate.

Awareness of these lemon nutritional benefits is very important to prevent and treat a number of health problems as follows:

Lemon For Skin Problems

The use of lemon for skin treatments is well known and this is the reason why lemon extracts are used in a number of cosmetic products and beauty therapy treatments. Lemon juice contains antiseptic properties and is therefore very helpful in treating a number of skin disorders.

Sunburn:

Lemon juice is very useful to prevent sunburn and as a remedy for insect bites and stings.  Many people also regularly use lemons as an anti-aging remedy for removing fine lines and wrinkles. Regular consumption of lemon juice helps in adding shine to the skin making it look healthy and youthful.

Acne:

Using lemon for acne is one of the most natural ways of treating this problem. Lemons are not only easy to find around the house but also safe to use regularly. Many people either apply lemon juice topically or consume it orally for treating acne problems. It acts as a gentle cleanser and produces good results within a short span of time.

Dead Skin:

The citric acid contained in lemon helps in scrubbing off dead skin cells and improving the elasticity of the skin. This in turn helps in the growth of new skin cells, which makes your face looks clearer and brighter.

Eczema:

The use of essential oils of lemon for eczema has also become popular these days. Lemon oil contains powerful antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties that help in relieving dryness and itching caused by eczema. It also helps in healing such skin infections, tightening and soothing the skin. People with uneven skin tones can use lemon for skin whitening because of its natural bleaching properties. Lemons are also helpful in whitening dark underarms.

Psoriasis:

Similarly, using lemon for psoriasis is also very beneficial in treating this problem. For scalp psoriasis, you can combine lemon juice with apple cider vinegar and use it as a hair rinse to eliminate this problem. Increasing the consumption of lemons in the daily diet is also beneficial for patients of psoriasis.  

Treating Hair Problems With Lemon

You can also use lemon for hair problems such as dandruff and hair fall. Lemons are rich in a variety of nutrients that help in maintaining strong and healthy hair. Lemon combined with other natural ingredients is beneficial for maintaining good hair and skin health.

Dandruff:

Lemon is one of the best treatments for dandruff and when used regularly on the scalp can eliminate this problem effectively. The use of lemon for hair growth is very effective as it helps in regulating blood circulation in the scalp thereby promoting better hair growth. The oil producing glands are also regulated which in turn helps in maintaining shiny, beautiful hair. This is the main reason why lemons are used in a number of cosmetic hair washes, hair packs and sprays. A hair rinse made from lemon for greasy hair is one of the best ways to get rid of excess oil from the hair and scalp. Lemon mixed with distilled water makes a great hair rinse for those who have excessively oily hair.

Oily Hair:

Experts also recommend using these hair rinses after routine shampooing to get and maintain healthy oil free hair. Another treatment option would be to mix fresh lemon juice with your regular shampoo and use it routinely to wash greasy or oily hair.

Hair Loss:

Many people suffer from balding and excessive hair loss that is treatable with natural ingredients like lemon. These problems are caused by hormonal imbalances and dietary deficiencies and lemon contains vital nutrients that can address these issues. Experts recommend using lemon for hair loss combined with coconut oil as an effective home remedy. This mixture applied on the scalp regularly helps in strengthening the roots and reduces hair fall largely. This treatment is not only beneficial for hair fall but also effective for maintaining shiny and puffy looking healthy hair.

Digestive Disorders And Lemon

Other than having a number of cosmetic benefits, lemons also, have several health benefits. One of the biggest benefits of lemon is that it aids in digestion. Many people commonly include lemon for digestion along with their meals. In countries like India, it is a common practice to include lemon pickle with meals mainly to help with the proper digestion of food. Lemons are great for enhancing internal cleansing and reducing bacteria that cause various digestive problems.

Stomach Problems:

Lemon juice being highly acidic in nature increases the stomach’s capacity to digest food well. It also helps in the faster absorption of nutrients in the intestines thereby reducing problems like bloating, flatulence, heartburn and indigestion. The vitamin C found in lemons reduces infections in the gastrointestinal tract and boosts overall immunity. Drinking lemon juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is a great practice to boost digestion and metabolism for the rest of the day.

Constipation:

The effectiveness of lemon for constipation is also quite popular. Since this natural ingredient has so many medicinal properties, using a combination of water and lemon for upset stomach is one of the best ways to eliminate this problem naturally. This remedy not only helps in lubricating the digestive and excretory tracts, it also helps in the evacuation of bowels. People who suffer from recurring constipation should make it a habit to drink lemon water every morning so that proper bowel movements occur through the rest of the day. You can also use lemon for stomach pain relief in the same manner combined with hot water.

Submitted on September 16, 2011
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