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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas LemonContents:Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Medicinal Properties | Biochemical Information
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedFruit
Description of Plant(s) and CultureLemons grow on trees, particularly in California and Florida. Medicinal PropertiesAntihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, refrigerant, tonic
Biochemical InformationRich in vitamin C
Legends, Myths and StoriesUsed as Vermouth flavorings; oil and fresh peel used in liqueurs and aperitifs; and is a lemon hair rinse for blondes. Gives blond highlights. Use the strained juice of 2 lemons in an equal amount of warm water. Leave on 15 minutes and sit in the sun if possible. Then rinse out. The juices of lemons and other citrus fruits are often added to cosmetic preparations because of their astringent and acidic qualities.
UsesLemon juice is a popular home remedy for numerous ailments, particularly colds, coughs, asthma, sore throats, diphtheria, influenza, heart burn, liver complaints, fevers. It is sometimes taken for headaches, nourishes the brain and nerve cells, neuralgia, scurvy, blood purifier, malaria, rickets, tuberculosis, gout, and chronic rheumatism. Externally, lemon juice can be used on sunburn, warts, felons, and corns. It is currently enjoying a revival of interest in hair rinse and facial astringent. Lemon’s vitamin C and astringency also make lemon powder useful to stop bleeding in wounds. Always take lemon juice without sweetening. Good for household uses; lemon juice will sour sweet milk, making it suitable for cooking. Just add a few drops or a small tsp. to each cup of milk. (This will curd soybean milk) Use lemon juice in place of vinegar, also all a little juice to dried fruits, this adds to the flavor. Add while stewing the fruit. Remove vegetable stains from hands by rubbing with lemon juice. Keeps hands soft and removes odors such as onions. To remove ink stains, iron rust, or fruit stains, rub the stain well with lemon juice, cover with salt, and put in the sun. Repeat if necessary.
Formulas or DosagesTake lemon juice straight or diluted with water, preferably unsweetened. For coughs and colds, add honey (and some liquor, if you are inclined that way). For a cold, take a hot bath and go to bed. Before falling asleep, have a cup of hot lemon juice (1 lemon) and water in which you have dissolved 1 tbsp. of honey and 2 tbsp. of liquor. You’ll wake the next morning with your cold gone--or at least considerably better. For persistent coughing, take a tsp. of honey with fresh lemon juice squeezed over it. Hold in the mouth and swallow slowly. Unlike drug cough medicines, you can use this as frequently as you like. The juice of a lemon mixed with a pint of warm water can be used as a retention enema for acute hemorrhoids; retain for 5 minutes. Lemon juice in hot water is said to relieve stomach distress and dizziness. The juice of a lemon in a glass of warm water upon arising is a good habit to promote regularity.
Nutrient ContentMagnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin C
 Back to Top How SoldFound in the produce department of the supermarket.
WarningEnsure essential oil is well diluted before use; it can irritate the skin.
Bibliography
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Lemon tree
The Complete Medicinal Herbal
, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993
, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.