The benefits and harm of lemon for the health of the body

Lemon is one of the most controversial, tasty and at the same time sour fruits. Lemon cannot be eaten whole, but it is difficult to manage without it in many spheres of human activity. Lemon is actively eaten - they drink tea with it, they add it to marinades, sauces, desserts, hot and cold dishes, and pastries. Lemon is widely used in everyday life for bleaching surfaces and fabrics, for removing stains of various kinds. Lemon is also useful for our skin - no whitening and drying mask can do without citrus. Lemon is a real helper that should be in the fridge of every good housewife.

Lemon is interesting and unique in that not only the flesh of citrus is used, but also its zest and even bones. Lemon has a beneficial effect on many organs and the whole body.In this article we will talk about lemon - its beneficial properties for humans, contraindications, method of use and application.

Useful properties of lemon

For a long time in Europe, lemon trees were grown as ornamental plants, admiring the beautiful and neat crown, unusually yellow fruits. But in Asia, they already knew that lemon has an incredible taste and healing effect.

1. For immunity. First of all, lemon is an incredibly powerful immunomodulator that enhances human health. Tea with lemon is a classic that can suppress ARVI and other colds. Lemon can be used for sore throat during sore throat, citrus literally suppresses the development of bacteria and instantly relieves pain. Regular consumption of lemon not only heals an already infected organism, but also creates a powerful immune barrier against upcoming viruses.
2. When coughing. Lemon is used against colds, but few people know that lemon juice has an excellent expectorant effect. He is even prescribed by doctors for bronchitis.
3. To reduce the temperature. Lemon tea is recommended for use during a cold not only because it has an antiviral effect. The fact that the lemon perfectly relieves fever, has diaphoretic effect.
4. It helps to fall asleep. Depending on the ingredients with which to take a lemon, it can not only invigorate in the morning, but also soothe in the evening. If you drink a lemon in combination with milk or honey, you will be able to fall asleep with a calm and deep sleep. Citrus perfectly treats anxiety and insomnia.
5. Gives strength. In ancient times, when sailors returned home after a long voyage, their bodies were incredibly drained. But doctors and wise wives knew how to quickly restore strength and lost health to the body. Preparing such a mixture - chopped lemons were mixed with walnuts, honey and raisins. This mixture was given three times a day in a tablespoon, and the strength to the sea-wolves gradually returned.
6. Against cancer Scientists have shown that lemon reduces the risk of developing breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
7. Outdoor use. Lemon has irritating and warming properties, so it is used for external use in the treatment of rheumatism, sprains, injuries.
8. For the brain. Lemon perfectly affects the performance and activity of the brain.And for this it is not necessary to eat. If you keep lemon zest near the workplace, solutions come much faster, efficiency increases, memory improves.
9. For the liver. Lemon juice helps to cleanse the liver after long-term treatment with medicines, for hepatitis, after smoking and long-term use of alcohol.
10. From mosquitoes. One of the most powerful anti-mosquito agents is lemon with cloves. Take a half lemon and stick into it a few carnations, leave the design at the head of the bed. Pleasant aroma will fill your room, mosquitoes will not disturb you.
11. For beauty. Mask with lemon juice has a powerful effect. With the help of this ingredient you can cope with excessive oily hair and skin, clean the face of freckles and age spots. Hair after lemon rinsing becomes incredibly silky, smooth and shiny.
12. For cleanliness. Lemon is used in various cleansing agents. Lemon juice helps to remove stains of blood, grass and even rust. Moreover, lemon juice has an excellent whitening effect.
13. For pregnant women. Moderate consumption of lemons is beneficial for pregnant women, as citrus reduces the risk of developing fetal abnormalities. But remember, too many citruses can not be eaten - it can turn into an allergy in a child in the future.
14. For weight loss. Lemon water is recommended in various diets. Lemon acid contributes to fat burning and prevents the absorption of calories. If every morning to drink a glass of warm water with the addition of a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, weight loss will go much faster.
15. With avitaminosis. In the spring, the body experiences serious discomfort, because the number of healthy and natural vegetables and fruits decreases, and vitamin deficiency develops in the body. Just a quarter of a lemon per day will saturate you with the daily intake of vitamin C.
16. Antiseptic. Since lemon has antibacterial properties, it is often used to treat various wounds, ulcers, cuts. Lemon is diluted in water and rinsed with this composition the oral cavity during stomatitis and sore throat. Lemon juice can be used as a first aid, as an antidote to the bites of poisonous insects and snakes.

In addition, lemon is useful for relieving migraine attacks, is effective for neurasthenia, improves lactation and heart function, relieves edema and attacks of bronchial asthma.All these useful properties belong to the porous yellow fruit with a warm citrus aroma. But is a lemon safe?

Contraindications for eating lemon

No wonder this yellow citrus is very difficult to eat whole, because its acid can be dangerous. So, in what cases should limit the use of lemon?

1. The first and most important thing is various diseases of the stomach, and especially, increased acidity, gastritis and ulcers. In this case, a fairly aggressive citric acid can only aggravate the situation.
2. Diluted lemon juice can rinse the mouth only in case of diseases of the mucous membrane, frequent exposure to acid destroys tooth enamel.
3. You can not drink lemon juice in its pure form, especially on an empty stomach.
4. If you have high blood pressure, lemon should also be used with extreme caution.
5. Lemon can not be eaten in large quantities, as citrus fruits are considered one of the main allergens. The reaction to lemon juice occurs in almost every fourth inhabitant of the metropolis.
6. In no case can not rinse the mouth or throat with clean undiluted juice. This can cause burns to the mucous membranes.
7. Lemon and its acid are contraindicated in children under two years of age, since their mucous membranes are extremely tender and sensitive.

Lemon is an amazing gift of nature, which, if used properly, will give the body many useful properties. How to use lemon properly, so as not to hurt yourself?

How to eat lemon

Most often we use lemon when making tea. To do this, add a slice or a circle of citrus in a cup of tea or straight into the teapot. In the cold season, it is very effective to prepare tea with lemon, honey and ginger. It has a unique vitamin value. Ginger should be chopped and put together with brewing tea. About half a tablespoon of ginger for 2 liters of water. After that, you need to fill all with boiling water. Do not add lemon at once, otherwise the acid will not allow tea to brew. When the tea is sufficiently infused, add lemon to it. Drink tea with honey, do not add it to the cup. Otherwise, all the beneficial properties of honey will be lost from the heat.

If you decide to deal with diseases of the throat and mouth, you need to prepare a solution - about a tablespoon of lemon juice in a glass of warm water. Gargle with this compound throat for sore throat, pharyngitis, tonsillitis.If you rinse your mouth, you can speed up the process of getting rid of stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, etc. This solution must be drunk in the morning to start digestion and speed up weight loss.

To get rid of cough, prepare such a composition. The flesh of two lemons should be mixed with chopped horseradish in the amount of two tablespoons. Allow the mass to infuse, and then squeeze the juice out of it. Before use, the composition should be diluted with water in the ratio of 1 to 3. Drink a tablespoon of the diluted mixture twice a day - in the morning on an empty stomach and before bedtime. To cleanse the liver, lemon is mixed with chopped garlic and squeezed. The resulting juice to drink a teaspoon, diluted in half a glass of water three times a day, half an hour before the main meal.

If you suffer from arthritis, rheumatism, sprains or muscles, you need to moisten a small piece of cloth in lemon juice and attach it to the affected areas. You should feel a little warm. If you feel irritation and tingling, it means that you are allergic to citrus and you can’t use such methods of treatment.

If you go to add lemon to baking, it is better to use not juice, but zest.It will not spoil the dough with its acid, but it will bake a delicate citrus scent. Be sure to add lemon to the kebab marinades, it is citric acid that makes the meat soft and juicy. Lemon juice will transform even the simplest homemade compotes. If you are on the doorstep, add a little lemon juice and a sprig of mint to cherry compote, you will get a very tasty and rich non-alcoholic cocktail.

Actively use lemon in cosmetology. Lemon juice eats away dead skin scales, creating a powerful scrub effect. Lemon compresses perfectly cope with calluses and corns, leaving only the delicate and smooth skin of the heels. Do lemon rinsing - dilute the juice of one lemon in a liter of water and rinse your hair with this composition. After that you do not need to rinse them with water. This will help get rid of the problem of oily hair. And if every day grease nails with lemon juice, they will become incredibly strong and firm, will cease to exfoliate and crumble.

In the Middle Ages, people believed that lemon saves from poisonous bites and even plague. During the period of epidemics, lemons were kept in almost every home and believed that this sour fruit would save them from the disease.In Russia in 13-15 centuries the fruit was imported from Holland, only rich grandees could afford it. Fortunately, the modern lemon is available to everyone and anyone can enjoy its sour taste, delicate aroma and invaluable benefits.

Video: the benefits and harm of water with lemon