Lemon's Health Wonders: From Detox to Fighting Disease

| Modified on Jan 14, 2024
Lemon Cures

Lemons, a bright and zesty citrus fruit, are not just a culinary delight but also a powerhouse of health benefits. This article dives deep into the extensive list of health advantages offered by lemons, highlighting their role in everything from restoring pH balance to treating various ailments.

Nutritional Profile of Lemons

Lemons are a rich source of Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that plays a crucial role in immune system function. They also contain significant amounts of other vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B6, potassium, and flavonoids. These nutrients contribute to the overall health benefits of lemons.

Comprehensive Health Benefits of Lemons

  1. Restoring pH Balance: Despite their acidic nature, lemons help maintain a balanced pH level in the body. They have an alkalizing effect, aiding in reducing acidity and promoting overall health.
  2. Detoxifying the Digestive System: Lemons stimulate the liver and aid in flushing out toxins, thereby detoxifying the digestive system. This helps clear indigestion and ease constipation.
  3. Weight Loss Aid: The natural properties of lemons can boost metabolism and aid in weight loss. Their low calorie and high fiber content make them an ideal addition to any weight loss diet.
  4. Acne and Skin Health: Lemons are effective in eliminating acne due to their antibacterial properties and the presence of Vitamin C, which helps in improving skin health.
  5. Eradicating Parasites: The antiparasitic properties of lemons can help eradicate parasites from the body, contributing to improved gut health.
  6. Treating Asthma: Lemons have been found to be beneficial in treating asthma due to their antioxidant properties and ability to clear respiratory passages.
  7. Canker Sores and Oral Health: The antibacterial properties of lemons can help in treating canker sores and relieving toothaches, enhancing oral health.
  8. Reducing Fever: Lemons can help reduce fever due to their cooling effect and ability to stimulate the immune system.
  9. Curing Common Cold: The high Vitamin C content in lemons makes them effective in fighting the common cold and boosting the immune system.
  10. Fighting Fatigue: Lemons can help combat fatigue thanks to their energizing properties and ability to improve hydration.
  11. Managing High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure: The flavonoids and Vitamin C in lemons are beneficial in managing high cholesterol and blood pressure levels, promoting heart health.
  12. Halitosis (Bad Breath) Relief: The natural freshness of lemons can combat halitosis, providing a refreshing solution for bad breath.
  13. Soothing Bug Bites, Corns, and Calluses: The anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of lemons can help in treating bug bites, corns, and calluses.
  14. Alleviating Insomnia: The calming effect of lemon can aid in alleviating insomnia, promoting better sleep.
  15. Relieving Nausea and Vomiting: Lemons can help reduce nausea and vomiting, particularly during pregnancy or travel.
  16. Treating Varicose Veins: The toning properties of lemons can assist in reducing the appearance of varicose veins.
  17. Preventing Osteoporosis: Lemons are a good source of Vitamin C and other nutrients that can help in preventing osteoporosis.

Alkalizing Effect of Lemons

Despite their acidic taste, lemons have an alkalizing effect on the body. When metabolized, they produce alkaline byproducts, which can help balance the body's pH levels. Maintaining an alkaline pH is thought to improve health by reducing the risk of chronic diseases and enhancing overall well-being.

Alkalizing Recipes with Lemons

Incorporating lemons into your diet is easy and beneficial. Here are some alkalizing recipes that use lemons:

  • Lemon Water: Start your day with a glass of warm lemon water. Squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink it on an empty stomach.
  • Lemon and Herb Salad Dressing: Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like basil or oregano for a refreshing salad dressing that adds an alkalizing touch to your greens.
  • Lemon-Infused Quinoa: Cook in lemon juice and water for a zesty, alkalizing side dish. Add chopped vegetables and herbs for extra flavor and nutrients.
  • Lemon Ginger Tea: Boil water with sliced lemons and fresh ginger. Strain and enjoy a warming, alkalizing beverage.

Conclusion

Lemons are a fantastic addition to a healthy diet, offering numerous benefits and the ability to create delicious, alkalizing recipes. By incorporating lemons into your daily routine, you can enjoy their health advantages and contribute to overall wellness.

Please continue reading below to learn how Earth Clinic readers used lemons to treat a number of conditions and the recipes they used.




Antiviral

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Posted by Annie (Duluth, MN) on 04/22/2008
★★★★★

When my husband came down with a nasty virus, I began to drink fresh squeezed lemon juice, and also to chew on the peelings. This kept me from catching his bug, and I also felt much healthier as a result -- more energy and healthier digestion.

Since then, I have found a more palatable way to take the lemon juice. I put on some filtered or distilled water to boil. In the meantime, I squeeze one whole lemon and set the juice aside. I cut up the peeling into quarter-inch pieces (approximately) and drop them in a coffee cup. I pour boiling water over the peelings just to cover, then cover the cup and let them steep for 5 minutes. This pulls the zest from the peelings. I strain the liquid and discard the pieces. I then combine the hot liquid with the sqeezed lemon juice and drink. This should be done once per day at the onset of flu season, and 2 to 3 times per day if exposed to or suffering from any virus.

This drink is bitter, since it consists of the essence of lemond rind. It may cause loose stools, which may be a good thing if ridding the body of unwanted "guests".

It works extremely well if combined with an ecchinacea regimen for convelescence after a bout of illness. Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon may help to prevent diarrhea if it becomes bothersome.


Blackheads, Warts and Sun Spots

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Posted by Just A Mummy (Lancashire, England) on 04/03/2013
★★★★★

I have been using lemon juice on my skin one a week before bed to help with my greasy skin and blackheads and its a miracle, I've just noticed my wart has all but gone. Also the brown marks that were left after my pregnancy have gone lighter? Woo hoo I'm over the moon.


Bladder Infection

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Posted by Jen (Croydon, UK) on 02/04/2007
★★★★★

Fresh lemon cured my bladder infection! This may help those who find that cranberry juice/tablets don't work. I suffered from bladder infections for many years. I used to have it about every six weeks, and it was often triggered by eating food high in salt, sugar or fat, or drinking alcohol - it was a nightmare, I couldn't even have one glass of wine. I tried antibiotics, cranberry, everything - nothing worked. Sorting out my diet and cutting down wheat and sugar helped a bit, but I would still get the infection several times a year. Until I met a former fellow sufferer who told me to eat lemon wedges - as many as I could bear - next time the symptoms started. I followed her advice and I haven't needed antibiotics since! I still watch my diet but if I "have to" overindulge on food & drink, I have one or two lemons squeezed in a drop of water before going to bed and wake up right as rain. Interestingly, my sister, who is also prone to bladder infections, finds that cranberry works for her whereas lemon doesn't. For me it's the other way around, cranberry didn't do anything but lemon works in an instant. Hope this helps someone!


Dairy Intolerance

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Posted by Irene (La Habra Heights, CA) on 08/31/2008
★★★★★

I have suffered intestinal problems for years finally diagnosed by a 'functional' doctor as dairy intolerance. A friend finally convinced me to try taking straight lemon juice from two smaller, greener lemons from Mexico and it has cured my problem almost immediately. Apparently I also cannot handle soy as I had a bad reaction to Chinese food. I have been treated by normal MDs and none have ever diagnosed this dairy intolerance, they only treated the symptoms and never identified the cause.

Replied by Coffeemate
(Warner Robins, Georgia)
08/14/2010
★★★★★

I just have to say I just had surgery and I have been using organic lemon.. (sorry no measurements yet) and I too am sensitive to dairy protein and eggs. However, I did indulge in chocolate m&m's and some diary and eggs were in my food that people made me but I did not have my normal painful reactions. I usually get headaches because my sinuses go crazy and post nasel drip which in turn gives me acid stomach and the eggs give me rashes and I get very grumpy with headaches. Nothing now and I believe it was the lemon I am comsuming everyday... I will start to eat those regularly now just because the lemon seems to help though. I will though continue to consume the lemon everyday!! Woohooo


Diarrhea, Poor Sleep

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Posted by Helpyourself (Texas) on 02/13/2023
★★★★★

For diarrhea: Lemon water. I have found that drinking lemon water has stopped my 6 months of diarrhea. This is amazing. One 16 oz water bottle( drink some to make room for juice), squeeze one fresh lemon, pour into water bottle. Sip all day. Then do this again the next day and sip on this one bottle for 2 days. Keep making one bottle last 2days and always drink with a straw as to not damage teeth. Best results after about two weeks. This drink also alkalizes your body. Lemon turns into an alkaline after ingested.

Bonus: sleeping through the night.


Fever and Headaches

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Posted by Vivian (Illinois, US) on 10/07/2014
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When I had fever or a very bad headache, Mom would slice a lemon.....take a linen or cotton towel.....take the slices of lemon and put them in a row on the towel and sprinkle a lot of baking soda on the lemon slices; roll the towel and cover the slices; make the towel like a bandage, tie it around the head (as if you were wounded in the Civil war...) and go to sleep. It worked every time; felt 90% better!!!! I do this often and for me it works; hope it works for you too!


IBS

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Posted by Amanda (Lynnwood, Washington) on 03/12/2007
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I have had IBS for over a year now and after trying everything that the doctors and friends and family told me to try, nothing worked. Until I finally tried Lemon water. I squeeze Half of a lemon into a 8oz glass of water and drink it over an hour hour or two. If you drink it too fast you are likely to get heart burn. But after two days of drinking this once a day I was regular and no longer felt bloated or constipated all the time. Good luck and I hope it works for you.


Kidney Stones

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Posted by Larry (Chicago, USA) on 03/04/2008
★★★★★

i've read alot of cures on kidney stones and read about the lemons and olive oil i have been married 20 yrs now i have had calcium stones averaging 2 to 3 times a yr and no history on either side of my family and i have a twin brother who does not get them , so one day at the uroligist i ask him look i have put all of your kids through college and helped in buying your house ,what have you done lately for me well he recommended lemons with my water so i tried for like 3 to 4 days 1 or 2 glases a day of bottled water and acouple of squeezes of lemon juice and guess what i passed atleast 3 or 4 stones from each side of me and im not braging i am a large stone former averaging 6 to 7 mm and i have passed that size many times my wife wishes they were diamonds lol but i have to say the lemons worked for me but my question is seeing alot of post on kidney stones shows me not only to look for a cure but find out why we are forming them what are we lacking?

Replied by Tom
(NY, USA)
09/19/2008

Why kidney stones form. My theory is that it happens because of malabsorbption of Vitamin b6, b12 and folic acid. Research should be along those lines.


Lemon Bicarbonate Formula

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Posted by Ted (Bangkok) 391 posts
★★★★★

This simple formula will normalized many biological parameters, pH, ORP, phosphates, bicarbonates and antioxidants of vitamin C. A potential miracle water. One whole lemon freshly squeezed. Keep adding baking soda slowly bit by bit until the fizz stops. Then you will add water to one half glass. This is often taken either twice a day. To be taken once in the morning and once before bedtime on an empty stomach.

Replied by Pamm
(Alabaster, Alabama)
08/05/2009

Ted, I have Addison's disease & have a hard time keeping my electrolytes balanced out. If they are out of balance I have muscle pain and very fatigued. I have been using the baking soda/lemon recipe you show here on Earth Clinic to alkaline my Ph, it worked the very first day like a miracle, I had lots of energy and was feeling good, however as the week went on I got to feeling worse, I was only doing this twice a day 1/2 lemon and 1/4 tsp baking soda to 4 ounces of water and my face got extremely, extremely dry, I am now severely fatigued, stomach is bloated & crampy, I am achy all over, sore throat, all the signs of electrolyte imbalance & my blood pressure is all over the place, one hour it will be low with low heart rate then the next its high blood pressure with high heart rate, it has not been stable. I have been more drowsy and out of it lately. I drink lots of water, and I take in salt & potassium so I don't know what is going on. I seem to be having a acid imbalance but of what? I don't know if its low potassium or calcium or sodium? I know emergency rooms uses baking soda to help lower very high levels of potassium fairly quickly. Could it be my potassium is low? I have started being nauseated now, and very weak and unable to do anything. It seems to be getting worse. My Ph is akalined soon after I do the lemon/Baking soda recipe but it goes back to acidic within 4 hours. I don't know what to do but I do know I am desperate to feel better. I don't know what to do to get to feeling better again. Should I quit the Baking Soda & Lemon? Or am I doing it wrong? Please Help. Thanks

Replied by Amir
(Irvine, Ca.)
10/01/2014

Dear Pamm, stop this baking soda and lemon deal and take organic green tea with honey and lemon. (lots of honey). Also don't forget taking Co-Q10. let us know how it goes.


Lemon for Gallstones

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Posted by Cathy (Mason, WV) on 05/17/2008
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Gallstone Issues: You can try the juice of 1 lemon in an 8oz.glass of water on an empty stomach. Do not eat or drink anything for 30 or so minutes and let this sit in your gallbladder. This will help dissolve stones. Do this for a year. Also take about 4 digestive enzymes with each meal. Vibra-Gest is one of the best. Eat pinnapple with meals or papaya which also have digestive enzymes in them and stay away from fat, sugar, and fried foods. It is hard to change your diet, but it will help tremendously. Eat bananas, and long cooking oatmeal. This helps. Some can't eat the oatmeal. Whatever works for you. Eat more vegatables, baked potatoes, greenbeans, tomatos, carrots,cucumbers, salad, fiber filled fruit, chicken and fish (nothing fried), but especially beets. Ginger is good for digestion. Avacados, coconut, garlic, grapes, plenty of water is good also. No beans, eggs, milk, pork, grapefruit or oranges, icecream, choclate, alcohol, cofffee.If you eat something and your stomach starts bubbling, you know that is something you can't eat.

Drink the lemon water religously and you will get relief. Keep drinking it for a year. There are meds doctors can give to dissolve stones, they don't tell you that. The lemon water will do it.

Try this: take a small rock the size of a quarter, and as thick as you finger and place it in a small glass in the kitchen window and cover it with lemon juice or concentrate you can get in the plastic lemons in the veggie section of the grocer. Cover the rock every day for about 3 months and you will dissolve that rock....Drink lemon water on an empty stomach upon waking and eat or drink nothing for about 30 min. Do this for a year. Drink the same just before going to bed the first week to two weeks of your attack. You will find that a gallbladder attach lasts about 3 to 5 days, but the lemon juice will start to dissolve the stones and the sludge. Take red yeast rice to get your cholesterol down which is the culprit here. Lemon water, red yeast rice and a change in your diet ot remove fat and you will see impovement in the next 3 weeks or so. Include exercise by even just walking, to lower your bad cholesterol also. You can live to eat or eat to live. Your choice. Hope this helps someone.

Replied by Linda
(Panama)
12/21/2013

Thanks so much for this! It makes a lot of sense to me. I'm going to try it for sure.

Replied by Ane
(UK)
04/27/2021

Thank you for the information about the LEMON juice. I was desperately hoping to find someone who could report this that over time it would dissolve gallstones, hopefully, this means the ones that are the solid fat and calcified all in one?

Charity
(faithville, Us)
04/27/2021

Chanca Piedra Herbal Benefits (earthclinic.com) I buy from Swanson and they run out of it a lot

Also AF betafood from standard process helped my gallbladder. I took ten pills a day until the bottle ran out and it was amazing, kinda spendy, but you keep your gallbladder.

Read up on ox bile. You may have a cortisol issue creating a gallbladder issue, Eric Berg on youtube teaches a lot of gut health issues


Lemon for Health

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Posted by Natalie (Decatur, GA, USA) on 11/20/2007
★★★★★

re: Lemon and vinegar.. SOUR = HEALTH! I have been reading alot recently about the benefits of herbal/natural cures for everyday ailments. Not because I am sick BUT, rather, because I am almost NEVER sick! I have always been that "rare and weird" child. The one that wanted Olives, Pickles, and Lemons instead of sweets. My family called me the "Sour Baby"! Plus, I have always loved Salt over Sugar.. but, only on sour foods.

Only in the past 5-6 years (I am 28 now), have I really noticed how sickly all of my friends are. While I always seem to stay healthy. This fact was very ODD to me as I am the poorest of all of my friends. I have no health insurance, I RARELY see a doctor, etc, etc.. So, I started to study my diet and saw that I am almost ALWAYS the only person that adores sour foods. I (I know this sounds weird) Love to mix Vinegar and Salt in a shot glass..and drink it in tiny sips all day. The same with Lemon juice and salt. Often, I slice lemon wedges, cover them in salt, and eat them while watching tv. Because of this, my friends think that I am insane but, it's like my candy!? They just giggle about it.

Lately though, now that I have been reading up on my habits, I am the one giggling. I am the one that never gets sick! I have found tons of info that proves my original thoughts on the matter. Sour = Health!

Note: there is a downfall though, My method is high in Sodium. (I can live with that) BUT, all of the acidic foods (Lemons, Tomato, Vinegar, ANY Citrus) are very bad for your teeth IF you brush within 30 minutes of eating or drinking them!! Doing so literally eats the natural enamel off of your teeth. My Dentist scolded me about this!!! So, Brush before you ingest.:) Then, Drink lots of water and make sure to swish around your teeth.

Replied by bibo
(East lansing, MI)
12/19/2008

U know I am like that I have always used lemons and eat them as if they are fruit, even if I make lemonade, my ingrediant is lemon and salt..woow its good to know that I have been doing something good and not know it LOL I also eat sour grapes and very sour plums before they change color ofcourse ..thanx for the info

Replied by Leens
(Montrose, CO)
12/20/2008
★★★★★

Oh my God, I thought I was the only one afflicted with this condition. I've always been a pickle puss...laugh out loud. I love sour things...just so you don't know you're the only one. Don't like sweets.

Replied by Marithegreatest
(Pioneertown, Ca.)
06/10/2013
★★★★★

I too love sour. I drink lemon juice with salt all the time. I never liked sweet. I also love grapefruit with salt as well. And I too rarely get sick.

Replied by Adrienne
(Idaho)
10/02/2015
★★★★★

I'd just like to add these comments that my mother never got a cold. I thought about that as I was reading Natalie's great comments and remembered that my mother was a serious pickle fiend! She also loved pickled herring and sour kraut and told me that when she was a kid she would mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda on a saucer and watch it fizz. Don't know if she ate that. What would you guess? :-)


Lemon for Sore Throats

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Posted by My2cents (Rock Hill, Sc, Usa) on 02/16/2013
★★★★★

I accidentally created the following sore throat remedy.

The zest and juice of one lemon, 1 cup fresh thyme, 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves chopped, 2 Tablespoons fresh grated ginger, 4 cups boiling water, 1/3 cup raw honey. Place all ingredients (except the honey) into boiling hot water. Cover and allow to sit 10-15 minutes off of the heat. Strain and add the honey. Stir well. Refrigerate.

I started out just making lemon peel tea. I thought it would be nice to add some mint. Then I figured I may as well use up the rest of the thyme I had from the batch of cough syrup I had made two days before. I sent my husband out for lemons and mint, then he came in with ginger as well. I figured what the hay. Lets add that too. He has been suffering with a terrible sore throat and stuffy nose. He drank this tea today and yesterday. About a quart each day. He says his sore throat is gone. His sinuses are stull stuffy though. I felt a sore throat beginning myself yesterday, today I also drank this tea and now there is no sign of a sore throat in sight. It may not cure what ails you, but it sure does wonders for a sore throat! If you think about eliminating the thyme, don't. You would be surprised at how much better it is with the thyme.


Lemon for Sore Throats
Posted by Tara McDonald (Perth, ON, Canada)
★★★★★

This recipe was given to my grandparents by a spunky 90 year old (or should I say young) opera singer one day while he was digging in his garden. He valued his voice greatly and refused to take any "modern medications" that might numb his throat instead of heal it.

Recipe:
1 Lemon
Good Cold Pressed Olive Oil
Honey (optional)
Go around the lemon - poking it with a fork and then put it in the oven (350') until juice bubbles out the holes. Cool. Squeeze the lemon and put the juice in a jar. Add an equal amount of olive oil.
Add some honey if you like. SHAKE! Take a small spoonful now and again - like a lozenge.


Lemon in Water

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Posted by Madhur (Brisbane, Australia) on 06/02/2009

If I squeeze fresh juice from a lemon, is it okay to sip that with water all day long? Someone told me that it should be drunk straight away otherwise it becomes more acidic or something. I would appreciate anyone's answer. Thanks.

Replied by Queenmum
(Austin, Texas)
06/02/2009
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Be sure to swish plain water around in your mouth after a sip of lemon water. Constant sipping of acidic lemon water will erode your tooth enamel and leave you vulnerable to cavities. I used to sip lemon water all day and after several months the enamel eroded at the gum line of my lower teeth. I had to have the eroded areas repaired


Lice

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Posted by Lacey (Wilmington, NC) on 12/03/2007
★★★★★

lemon juice really works I poured some on my head and 5-7 lice bugs came out!! lemon juice is the key!



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