Lemons earned their reputation as a cure for scurvy long before vitamin C was actually identified. They have an abundant supply of this vitamin, providing more than a days dose – as well as small amounts of some B vitamins, vitamin E, substantial quantities of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus and the important trace minerals copper, zinc, iron, and manganese. They also activate the immune system by stimulating white corpuscle activity.

Lemons are rich in bioflavnoids, limonen, and mucilage, the latter being beneficial to the lining of the digestive tract and stomach. Lemon juice can also act as a stimulant to the pancreas and liver.

Lemon Mouthwash

Its powerful antibacterial activity makes it a first choice as a gargle or mouthwash for sore throats, mouth ulcers, and gingivitis, diluted half-and-half with hot water.

1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon hot water

Lemon Acne Applications

Lemon juice applied neat with a Q-tip to pus-filled spots is a powerful bactericide and is particularly effective for acne.

Diluted half-and-half with hot water it makes an excellent facial wash.

Lemon For Cold Sores

It can be applied neat, directly to cold sores or the rash of shingles, provided that the skin is unbroken.

Relieve Chilblains

Chilblains can be relieved by rubbing the surface of the affected area with a slice of lemon dipped in coarse sea salt – but only unbroken skin, or it will hurt.

Colds and Coughs

Traditionally, lemons have always been used for infections of the respiratory tract. Hot lemon taken with one teaspoon of honey at bedtime is a classic remedy for coughs and colds.

A Simple Lemon Drink That Detoxifies

Juice of ½ fresh lemon

1 cup warm water

Pour lemon juice in water, and drink slowly, the first thing in the morning. This simple drink detoxifies your liver, colon, and blood. It will also suppress your appetite, which could help some lose weight.

Migraines and Lemons

Traditionally, migraines were treated with lemon. A peeled lemon skin was turned white side down and placed on a handkerchief. Then the handkerchief was put against the forehead with the yellow side of the peel against the skin. When a burning sensation became evident, it was removed, and generally, the headache would be gone.

Women in Indonesia do the dishes or laundry to relieve their migraine headaches. A couple of lemons are cut and the juice squeezed into the hot, soapy water. The hot lemon water seems to transfer excess blood from their head down to their hands, besides reducing the swollen blood vessels in the top of the head. For severe migraines they place two pans of hot lemon water by the sink while washing dishes in hot lemon water to be sure. An upright standing position is necessary, though, for guaranteed success.

Allergies

Drink fresh lemon juice daily in warm water to purify and detoxify the body. Be sure to drink plenty of pure water, too. Antioxidants with high levels of vitamin C like in lemons may also help prevention of allergies. Of course you should also stay away from foods that cause problems for you.

Stay Lemon Fresh

If you smoke, drink alcohol, or have several cups of coffee per day, keep plenty of fresh lemons on hand. Fresh lemon juice helps neutralize acids and is a powerful anti-bacterial agent.

Bleeding Gums

Lemon is healthy for the gums due to its alkalizing and anti-bacterial properties.

Cellulite

Drink an 8-ounce glass of warm water with the juice of half or whole lemon daily, preferably in the morning, to encourage detoxification and elimination. Lemon is also an effective diuretic and will stimulate the body to eliminate additional fluid.

Diarrhea

The juice of a fresh lemon is antiseptic and antibacterial. Add the juice of a lemon to an 8-ounce glass of purified water as often as possible.

Nasal Congestion

Drink fresh lemon juice in hot or cold water during the day to loosen mucus, flush your system, and balance pH levels. The vitamin C in lemons will also help fight off colds.

Stomach Ulcers

Peptic or stomach ulcers are areas of erosion within the mucous membrane lining of the stomach. It used to be believed that stomach ulcers were caused by too much acid, which eroded the delicate stomach lining. That changed when scientists linked a bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori with stomach ulcers.As many as 70% of people with stomach ulcers are infected with H. pylori.

Lemon will help balance the pH levels. That in turn leaves an uninviting environment for the H pylori bacteria.