Lemon Juice for Health

"When life gives you a lemon... squeeze it, mix half with six ounces of distilled water and drink twice daily."

Lemon information

• Citrus Limon - official name
• pH = 2 - compare to stomach acid pH=1
• Low in calories - 27 Kcal per 100 g
• A lemon weighs about 6 oz
• Lemon is widely grown all over the world -grows in abundance in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mexico and West Indies.

Contains

• Vitamin C- antiscorbutic; helps absorb iron; needed for collagen; antioxidant; 40 to 50 mg per 100 g (twice as much as oranges); strengthens blood vessels and prevents internal hemorrhage
• Potassium -145 mg per 100 g fruit -more than apple or grapes
• Calcium - 61 mg/100g
• Some vitamin A, along with B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin)
• Citric acid -7.2%
• Other constituents (mostly from pith and peel) - include volatile oil (2.5% of the peel), limonene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-pinene, citral, coumarins, mucilage, pectins, and bioflavonoids

Functions of Lemon Juice in the body

Alkalizes body.  Although obviously acidic, LJ contains alkalizing minerals (calcium, and potassium) that are retrieved through its metabolism. Useful for over-acidity in extracellular fluids.

Cleanses and stimulates the liver and kidneys

Antiseptic.   Low pH of citric acid breaks down bacterial cell membranes. This powerful antibacterial kills bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases.

It dislodges phlegm (that causes annoying cough)

Liver tonic.   Lemon juice stimulates liver to produce bile; in turn, a more effective liver is better able to purify blood.

Helps in digestion

• Via improving production in the liver.   LJ improves digestion of fats.
• Stimulates the flow of saliva and gastric juice
• Amount of acid in LJ does NOT significantly alter stomach acid pH to affect stomach digestion

Diuretic.   increases urination, prevents water retention

Other parts of lemon have therapeutic benefit

Volatile oils in lemon rind.   Ease heartburn, bloating and constipation and expel wind from the digestive tract.

The bark of the lemon tree.   Used as febrifuge (prevents fever)

Seeds.  Used as a vermifuge (expels worms from intestine)

Health Benefits of lemon juice

Prevents or restrains influenza and cold

Scurvy.   Due to vitamin C content. Limes, which kept well on long voyages, were used by sailors in the 19^th century to prevent bleeding to death through arterial wall due to lack of vitamin C

Maintains health of the teeth and the bones.   Vitamin C content of lemon helps considerably in calcium metabolism.

Used for constipation and indigestion

Helps those with heart problems when taken regularly.   Due to potassium content

Hangover aid.   By improving bile flow

Great skin cleanser.   Contains alpha hydroxy acid for light natural "peel", and has antiseptic and astringent properties. Also, consuming LJ cocktail daily aids skin condition from within.

Used externally for acne, fungus (ringworm and athlete's foot), sunburn, stings, and warts, corns (Tie a fresh slice of lemon over the painful area at night and leave overnight).

High blood pressure.   Potassium content good for the heart

Kidney stone preventative and treatment

• A U. of California study LJ determined that LJ is a viable alternative to citrate supplementation - which is the common treatment for kidney stones. Researchers showed that using LJ and water increased urinary citrate levels without changing urinary volume (the same as citrate, but better tolerated and complied with).

"Journal of Urology"; Dietary Manipulation With Lemonade to Treat Hypocitraturic Calcium Nephrolithiasis; M.A. Seltzer, et al.; September 1996

• In another study, scientists proved that LJ inhibited the buildup of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys - During this study, all the subjects were given a water solution containing ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride. Half of the group were also given an additional water solution made with either 100, 75 or 50 % pure lemon juice. The results were astounding, showing no kidney stones or deposits in those subjects who were given the 100% or 75%t lemon juice solutions.

"BMC Urology"; Lemon Juice Has Protective Activity in a Rat Urolithiasis Model; M. Touhami, et al.; October 2007

Oral/Dental problems.    High vitamin C content of LJ strengthens the gums and teeth, preventing/curing gum inflammation,pyorrhea, dental caries, and gum bleeds Adding a little LJ to your mouth rinse water helps kill bacteria responsible for halitosis.A study found that LJ had antifungal properties and was effective against oral candidiasis (thrush).

"Phytomedicine"; Treatment of Oral Thrush in HIV/AIDS Patients With Lemon Juice and Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon Citratus) and Gentian Violet; S.C. Wright, et al.; March 2009

• Toothache.    It is reported that toothache is minimized by massaging fresh lemon juice in painful area

Sore throat

Hemorrhage.    Lemon is effective in the hemorrhage or bleeding of lungs. stomach, intestines, uterus, kidneys and other internal organs. In these cases, lemon juice should be taken with water several times a day.

UTIs and high uric acid problems -diuretic quality flushed urinary tract

How to take LJ?

One should NOT drink concentrated lemon juice.   its acidity is injurious to the enamel of teeth. Drinking through a straw to avoids this problem

LJ Cocktail.   Combine fresh-squeezed juice of half a lemon with about 6 oz cold or warm (not too hot) water -optionally add some raw honey to taste. Drink once or twice a day.

Cleanses body when LJ mixed with cold water and taken on an empty stomach early in the morning.    Add a little raw honey to make more palatable.

Sore throat.   Dilute juice of half a lemon juice 50/50 with water and gargle frequently.

Constipation.   Use warm water in LJ Cocktail when you want to relieve constipation.