Lemon: health benefits and harms

A juicy slice of lemon is not only a classic tea supplement, but also an extremely healthy product. It has a lot of vitamins and nutrients, is actively used in official and traditional medicine as an effective tool. Culinary experts from around the world add juice, zest to the most delicious dishes, make jam, candied fruit, make delicious lemonade and liquors.

What is the difference between lemon and lime

Previously, there was not much choice; ordinary lemons were brought to stores. Today, the selection of citrus fruits is extremely rich, even in a small bazaar or in a local store you can find lime. Despite the similarity of names and species, these are still different fruits.

Lemon grows in the subtropics and is less demanding on the climate. At the same time, they harvest lemons only once a year. Its ripe fruits are yellow with juicy skin and flesh. The taste is pronouncedly sour. It is stored very well, especially in a cold place.

Lime grows in tropical countries and is quite demanding on climatic conditions. But it bears fruit constantly, and not seasonally, like a lemon. Lime fruits are usually slightly smaller, have a rich green color, but less juicy skin. The taste of pulp and juice is even more acidic, with a small bitterness. Thin skin significantly limits storage, as a rule, a store fruit will not last even a week in the refrigerator.

What is healthier: lemon or lime

Both fruits are very healthy and have a very different composition. Everyone knows that lemon is rich in vitamin C, but in lime it is 4.5 times more! However, this does not determine the winner, because the fruits are really different.

Lemon contains vitamins E, PP, B, many organic acids, pectins and carotene. It significantly improves digestion, stimulates appetite, activates processes that allow better absorption of calcium and iron. Recent studies have noted a steady decline in low-density lipoproteins - this is the same bad cholesterol - with the systematic use of lemon juice.

Lime is very rich in folic acid and choline (B4), it also has a lot of potassium, copper, manganese and phosphorus. Studies show that lime is especially beneficial for pregnant women, as it has a beneficial effect on the fetus and completely replenishes the need for folic acid.

Composition and calorie content

Lemon is a real storehouse of nutrients and elements, while it has only 34 kcal per 100 g. It contains the following vitamins, micro and macro elements per 100 g of product:

• vitamin C - 40 mg or 44% of the daily norm;
• Vitamin B4 - 5 mg;
• vitamin A - 2 mcg;
• folates or B9 - 9 mg;
• vitamin PP - 0.2 mg;
• potassium - 163 mg or 7% of the daily norm;
• silicon - 2 mg or 6.7% of the daily norm;
• calcium - 40 mg;
• phosphorus - 22 mg;
• sodium - 11 mg;
• magnesium - 12 mg;
• cobalt - 1 mcg or 10% of the daily norm;
• copper - 240 mcg or 24% of the daily norm;
• zinc - 125 mcg;
• fluorine - 10 mcg;
• Manganese - 40 mcg;
• iron - 0.6 mg.

Based on the balance of BZHU, the composition is optimal and easy for the body. 100 g of lemon contains the following substances:

• Proteins - 0.9 g.
• Fats - 0.1 g.
• Carbohydrates - 3 g.
• Dietary fiber - 2 g or 10% of the daily norm.
• Water - 87.8 g.
• Organic acids - 5.7 g.
• Ash - 0.5 g.

What is useful lemon

General benefit

Lemon is able to seriously support the immune system, not only thanks to vitamin C, but also a complex of micro and macro elements. Citric acid stimulates appetite, activates the digestive process. According to recent studies, the absorption of calcium and iron significantly increases with the use of lemon juice or pulp.

Lemon juice is especially loved by people involved in sports. On its basis make nutritious solutions and refreshing soft drinks. The liquid not only invigorates and gives strength, but also normalizes the water-salt balance, which is especially important in training, when not only water but also the necessary salts are lost with it.

Actively use lemon in cosmetology and for external use. Masks are made from it, compresses that significantly refresh the skin, prevent the occurrence of acne and acne.

For women

Lemon juice or a drink in moderate concentration is an excellent tool for removing various toxins and toxins from the body. It also fits well into any diet, as it supplies the body with useful substances with a minimum of fats and calories.

However, the use of lemon in skin care and cosmetology is especially extensive. It is enough to regularly wipe the skin with lemon slices, it will become much more elastic, visually rejuvenated.

The problem of corns and rough skin is especially acute in women, in which lemon will help extremely delicately. It is enough to rub the juice into the heels or other areas that require processing, and after a few minutes the coarsened skin can be easily removed with a brush.

A good manicure will not do without lemon juice, it is added to warm water, this helps to significantly soften the nail skin (cuticle), and then it is easily and painlessly removed. In addition, such a bath makes the nails stronger, prevents their delamination.

For men

Lemon has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Statistics show that men are more prone to heart problems. Therefore, it is highly recommended to drink lemon juice or drink it with pulp systematically. This strengthens blood vessels and normalizes heart rate. Traditional medicine also recommends using zest to improve the cardiovascular system.

Since ancient times, lemons have been used to treat male infertility and have been used as a component in various drugs to increase potency. Some modern studies show an improvement in the functioning of the genitourinary system, as well as an increase in sperm motility.

Recent studies in the United States have confirmed a decrease in low-density lipoproteins in people who systematically consumed lemon juice and pulp. Values ​​do not reach therapeutic standards, but the American healthcare system now recommends lemons to everyone who is at risk and has borderline levels of bad cholesterol.

During pregnancy

A pregnant woman sometimes wants something sour - a lemon is an excellent choice. It will not only satisfy the need of the body, but also saturate it with extremely useful and necessary substances in this situation. The following effects should be noted:

1. This is a good prevention of respiratory diseases, which are extremely undesirable during pregnancy.
2. Water with lemon perfectly eliminates heartburn.
3. Regular consumption of diluted juice will lead to a mild diuretic effect, which is especially true in the later stages, and will help relieve swelling.
4. In the early stages, lemon is an excellent remedy for toxicosis.
5. Lemon juice improves absorption, activates the digestive tract and improves peristalsis.

When breastfeeding

All the best qualities of lemon appear at this stage of a woman’s life. It saturates the body with vitamins and necessary substances, which means that milk will definitely be enriched. The body receives some protection against colds. A number of European and Chinese studies have established a link between the systematic use of lemon and its products with increased lactation. The level does not reach therapeutic values, but the statistical indicator increases significantly.

However, there is a small risk: lemon is an allergen, and it is likely that the baby has a susceptibility to it. Therefore, it is better to start with small doses and look at the condition of the child. However, if the mother used lemons during pregnancy, then the probability of an allergy to them in the baby is almost zero.

For children

For a growing organism, lemon juice and its pulp are simply irreplaceable. Limited to give small pieces or drinks with a couple of drops of juice can be from 10 months. It should be monitored how the child will feel himself, whether an allergy manifests itself.

Another warning lies in the dosage, everything is good in moderation. It is optimal to give slices of lemon, juice or a drink 3-4 times a week, not more often. Excessive consumption will lead to increased concentrations of acids, this will adversely affect the mucous membrane of the stomach, violate the normal level of acidity.

However, in general, children can be actively given lemon and drinks based on it. This will prevent frequent ARVI diseases, especially in the spring-autumn period, increase the average appetite of the child, make him generally more active and cheerful.

Water with lemon on an empty stomach: benefits and harms

This is an extremely popular method in the West to cleanse the body and get a cheerful mood for the whole day. An empty glass of water with lemon on an empty stomach became the norm for Beyoncé, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and other Hollywood stars. This allows you to activate the gastrointestinal tract, saturate it with vitamins and flush toxins that accumulated overnight. Indeed, the following beneficial effects can be expected:

• stimulation of the digestive system;
• removal of some stagnant substances and toxins;
• receiving a large dose of vitamins, micro and macro elements;
• increased acidity, which means that the stomach will be better prepared for breakfast.

However, there are contraindications to this method, namely:

1. Acid can destructively affect tooth enamel, especially those with microdamages. Therefore, water with lemon must be drunk through a tube.
2. With gastritis and increased acidity, you can not drink such water, this can worsen the condition.
3. With inflammation of the bladder, kidney problems, it is also not recommended to drink water with lemon, as this will lead to a diuretic effect.
4. Lemon is an allergen, so you should not use it at once a lot, it is better to start with a small amount and watch the condition.

Benefits of Lemon Tea

Tea with lemon is the most classic drink in our country. The invention of such a recipe is shrouded in mystery. Some believe that this came from experiments in Chinese teahouses. Others attribute this recipe to travelers, because sour tea suppresses nausea and alleviates the condition with motion sickness. It is recommended today for a mild form of motion sickness.

It is a common misconception that tea with lemon saturates with vitamin C. This is not true. This vitamin is thermally unstable, that is, it is destroyed in hot water or tea. Therefore, to obtain vitamin C, it is necessary to add lemon only to cold drinks.

Black tea with lemon has an antipyretic effect.Tannins effectively interact with acids in lemon. This improves the functioning of the stomach and digestion in general. Additionally, it is desirable to add raspberries, mint or thyme to such tea.

The most useful green tea with lemon, where the components significantly enhance the effect of each other, especially antioxidants. Such tea is good to drink with weight loss, it effectively normalizes digestion and intestinal function. You can add a leaf of mint, honey, chamomile, thyme. Then the drink will be not just useful, but truly medicinal.

The benefits and harms of honey with lemon

Lemon goes well with honey. So it can be given to children, because the sugary honey will turn the acid from the lemon into a pleasant and appropriate light acidity. At the same time, both components are extremely useful, especially for colds. They will significantly alleviate the general condition, lower the temperature, ease pain in the head and nasal congestion, soften the cough, give vigor and strength.

However, the benefits are not limited only to the fight against SARS. The systematic use of a teaspoon of honey with a slice of lemon in a glass of water leads to:

• to improve digestion;
• lowering blood pressure in combination with beet juice;
• accelerate metabolism, which is perfect for losing weight;
• normalization of the heart, strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
• lowering bad cholesterol.

There are practically no contraindications for moderate doses; the only caveat is allergy. Due to the presence of honey, such a composition can be used even with gastritis. The only medical restrictions are gastric and duodenal ulcers.

What is useful lemon with sugar

Eating a big slice of lemon just like that can be quite difficult. It is especially problematic to make this happen to a child who will refuse and be capricious. However, there is a way out, you just need to sprinkle a slice of sugar, and in combination with special aromatic substances or caramel, this dish can even be served on the table as a light snack.

The beneficial properties remain the same, the only thing is that because of sugar, calorie content and the amount of fast carbohydrates increase. But thanks to the lemon, these calories will almost certainly leave the body without affecting the figure.

It is good to use lemon with sugar for colds, to saturate the body with vitamin C and other elements. However, for prevention and general strengthening of the body, it is better to give preference not to sugar, but to honey.

Among the contraindications in the form of allergies, gastritis and ulcers are diabetes. It should also be remembered that acids interact with tooth enamel and destroy it, especially if there is already some damage. Therefore, immediately after use, rinse your mouth with water.

Lemon and salt: benefits and harms

Moroccans were the first to discover a combination of lemon and salt. They also figured out how to salt lemons, increasing the concentration of active substances per 1 g of product. This is a traditional local diet. The composition contains polyphenol, which interacts especially well with salt. The classic Moroccan slimming cocktail includes 2 teaspoons of salty lemon pulp, a quarter of a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper in a glass of water. The composition is used once a day.

Lemon and salt have an excellent effect on various colds, significantly relieving the condition. For this reason, it is indicated against the background of poisoning and is included in the complex of rehabilitation therapy.

The interaction of lemon with salt slightly increases pressure - this should be taken into account, especially for hypertensive patients. If we are talking about fermented salted lemons according to Moroccan recipes, then the dosage should be correctly assessed. Such a product is very concentrated, already 5 g is more than a sufficient piece.

Useful properties of lemon with ginger

Lemon with ginger is the perfect combination for summer lemonade. Sourness is organically complemented by a ginger aroma.However, it is not only very tasty, fragrant, but also extremely useful, because the components enhance the action of each other. Digestion is significantly activated, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and the heart rate is normalized. Not a single cold can withstand such a ginger-lemon punch.

Nutritionists recommend this combination to normalize the digestive tract, cleanse the body of toxins and lose weight, there is even a special drug - Sassi water. It includes finely chopped fresh cucumber, a few mint leaves, lemon, grated ginger. All this must be insisted on warm water, and after cooling, drink half an hour before eating. The drink is effective and is included in many diets.

Ginger with lemon are also included in the group of ancient aphrodisiacs. To make a medieval recipe you will need zest, lemon juice, grated ginger and honey. Additionally, you can season the mixture with allspice and garlic. This is a great sour spicy sauce that improves blood circulation in the pelvic organs and enhances male desire.

The benefits of lemon juice

Lemon juice is a vitamin and mineral concentrate. It is recommended to drink it every spring, starting in March. So you can get rid of hypovitaminosis and strengthen the immune system to withstand the traditional spring epidemic. By the way, it is for medicinal purposes that it is better to choose immature or even slightly greenish lemons. Citrus juice saturates the body with the necessary substances, strengthens the vascular walls, so it is prescribed as part of adjuvant therapy for atherosclerosis.

Traditionally widely used lemon juice for colds. However, you can not only drink it, but also gargle with it in a diluted composition. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, it significantly alleviates the condition, kills many pathogenic bacteria. Often prescribed for tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

Beauticians actively use lemon juice to lighten age spots and freckles, add to nourishing masks and creams that saturate the skin and improve its appearance. You can reduce the number of wrinkles or completely remove them with the help of lemon juice and olive oil in proportions of 1 to 1. The mixture is rubbed into the skin in the morning and before bedtime. The effect of juice on hair is also beneficial, especially light - they are saturated with energy, become bright, vibrant and silky.

Are lemon bones useful?

Often, lemon seeds are simply thrown away, which is wrong, they are also useful and have unique active ingredients. They are not easy to eat, it is better to grind in a mortar or blender and add to a cocktail or put on sugar.

Bones can thin the blood. They have a more pronounced diuretic effect. Also, the acids contained inside are unpleasant for some insects and worms. In ancient times, it was lemon bones that were used as an antiparasitic agent for various worms.

The benefits of frozen lemons

Today, almost everyone has a good freezer that can give -18 degrees. Freezing vegetable mixtures, fruits and berries has become the norm. Lemon is no exception. It is well stored in the refrigerator, easily lasts a whole month. However, in the freezer, the fetus can be stored for much longer.

Vitamin C perfectly tolerates freezing, it is practically not lost, which can not be said about group B, which over time will lose up to 20%. However, even in this form, lemon remains fantastically useful, almost like fresh.

Lemon oil: properties and applications

Essential oils are extracted from the peel of a lemon using the method of pressing or steam distillation. This is an effective squeeze of the most useful and active substances from the fruit. The oil has a tart, but very pleasant aroma. Another property is extreme volatility, which causes quite a lot of trouble, especially in everyday life. It is enough to tightly close the bottle and the active substances will fly away in a matter of days.

The main use is the aromatization of rooms. A large Japanese study at Mie University has shown significant effectiveness in combating depression and arousal. The effect of increasing concentration is proven.So, when spraying in offices, the number of mistakes made decreased by 34%.

Lemon oil is actively used in cosmetology, it effectively removes vascular patterns, swelling, reduces oily skin and removes keratoses. Another effect is a skin tightening, under the influence of active substances, a tone appears, the pores are narrowed, some sagging goes. Lemon essential oils come in many combinations and creams for skin and nails, are included in the formulas of shampoos and hair care products.

The benefits of lemon zest

Often the use of zest is limited only to the culinary, where it gives the necessary citrus flavor and aroma. However, this is a very useful part of the lemon, which has its own properties.

Zest is especially beneficial for bones; it contains bioflavonoids and calcium. Another use is for mouthwash. Unlike juice or pulp, there are almost no aggressive acids, but the mass of vitamin C. This will freshen your breath, give a pleasant citrus aroma to the oral cavity, and also get rid of bleeding gums.

When you need to get vitamin C, you should not use juice or pulp, but rather the zest, because it is in it most of all.

The benefits of lemon for weight loss

Water with lemon, pulp and dishes using this fruit are actively included in almost all diets. The product has beneficial effects immediately in various directions, namely:

• activates metabolic processes, assimilation of nutrients;
• improves digestion and slightly speeds up metabolic processes;
• has a diuretic effect.

Its action is characterized by a decrease in the number of calories consumed, for example, a glass of water with lemon juice has about 6 kcal, which is less than in any yogurt. A morning serving of liquid can replace a light breakfast, while saturating the body with vitamins and necessary substances. It is proved that you can comfortably reduce calorie intake by 15% using lemon juice and pulp in dishes in the form of consumed liquid.

Lemon in medicine

From ancient times lemons are used in medicine. They were used for various colds and ailments, drank with indigestion and as a diuretic. Wounds were washed with lemon juice, and this is limitedly applied even today.

Official medicine “prescribes” lemon in various forms as a diet and adjuvant for hypertension and diabetes.

Traditional medicine uses lemon everywhere, it acts as a diuretic, expels worms, helps with colitis, strengthens the liver and even alleviates the condition with hemorrhoids.

With diabetes

Lemon is prescribed for any type of diabetes, as its glycemic index does not significantly increase glucose. It can normalize blood pressure, lower low-density lipid levels in the blood, increase immunity, or alleviate the condition of a respiratory illness. The diuretic effect is especially relevant for diabetics, which allows you to slightly remove puffiness and improve the quality of life.

Important: The glycemic index of lemon is 20 units.

With pancreatitis

In acute and severe forms, lemon is contraindicated. However, in the initial stages, it can be used to relieve irritation and reduce soreness. It is necessary to boil the lemon in water for 5-7 minutes. Then squeeze still hot juice into raw yolk and drink the resulting mixture on an empty stomach. You should refrain from eating food for at least 3 hours. On the first day, you need to drink 5 such servings, then 3 servings on the third and sixth days and 3 more servings on the 12th and 24th day.

With gastritis

It is necessary to establish a diagnosis and type of gastritis. Lemon can help or do little harm. In the case of a favorable diagnosis, the juice is usually used in combination with other components, for example, honey and calendula. Otherwise, drinking lemon is prohibited, as this can lead to serious complications until the onset of peptic ulcer.

For the intestines

Since ancient times, lemon has been used to normalize bowel function.Juice or slices were used. Active substances as a whole enhance the work of the entire digestive tract, relieve it of stagnant processes. To normalize and improve bowel function, it is recommended to drink a glass of lemon water every morning on an empty stomach.

If there is a negative state, poisoning, upset, then you should use a few slices of lemon and salt.

For constipation

Lemon best treats chronic constipation by normalizing the intestines, activating peristalsis. It removes the basis of the whole problem, then constipation goes away on its own.

The following solution has a stable, but at the same time mild, laxative effect. In a glass of warm water you need to squeeze the juice of half a lemon, you can add a teaspoon of honey and a pinch of salt with the pulp, but without stones. Mix everything and drink in the morning on an empty stomach.

With gout

Significant improvement was noted in patients with gout who drink lemon water or eat tea wedges. Therefore, the inclusion of citrus in the diet is recommended by official medicine.

The mechanism of action is based on the neutralization of purines by lemon active substances. Uric acid is also neutralized and excreted, the outflow of bile is improved. Lemon is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it will very well and tangibly complement the classic therapy for gout.

With colitis

Colitis is a serious disease that requires an early diagnosis. In no case should you eat lemon, other citrus fruits, nuts, tomatoes and even milk. Only after the diagnosis is established, the attending physician will be able to prescribe a diet. In some chronic forms of colitis, lemon is used to a limited extent in other foods or drinks.

For the liver

Lemon has a very beneficial effect on the liver, and in any form of entry into the body. Hepatocytes receive protection and accelerate metabolism. The amount of low density lipids or bad cholesterol is reduced. A slight blood thinning facilitates the work of the liver, and the formation of serum albumin increases.

Doctors recommend drinking lemon water the next morning after a feast. This will alleviate the general condition, support a tired liver and invigorate the body.

With hemorrhoids

Official medicine recommends more modern means of treating this ailment, however, folk advises mitigating the condition in two ways at once. The first is the normalization of the intestines, softening feces, which means a more comfortable trip to the toilet with less damage to the hemorrhoids. The second is the strengthening of blood vessels and skin. To do this, moisten a cotton ball in squeezed lemon juice and lubricate hemorrhoidal nodes with it. Initially, there will be moderate itching, but it will soon disappear.

With cholecystitis

An accurate diagnosis of the state of the gallbladder is needed. Lemon juice is a mild choleretic. If the bubble is stoned, a sharp complication of the condition is possible, up to the death without immediate and very extensive surgery.

With chronic cholecystitis with small stones, lemon juice therapy can be used. Squeeze the juice of one fruit per 1 liter of water, drink every two hours. And per day you need to drink 3 liters of lemon water. It is also good to use olive oil and lemon juice in a ratio of 1 to 1, add about a teaspoon of grated ginger and garlic. 100 ml should be drunk daily for a month.

With angina

Alternative treatment includes rinsing the mouth and throat with concentrated lemon water. This helps due to the strong antiseptic capabilities of citrus. However, this method has a serious side effect in the form of destruction of tooth enamel, the active substances of lemon. There are much more effective medications. However, a classic lemon tea or even a couple of cloves (necessarily with a peel) will only help recovery.

For colds and flu

Lemon perfectly shows itself against various SARS and flu.It eases the general condition, strengthens the body’s immune response, lowers temperature, softens a runny nose and dry cough. Various forms are used - inhalation over juice and pulp, gargling with concentrated lemon water, drinking fresh fruit slices, tea, drinking juice or infusions.

Today, lemon is actively prescribed as an adjunct therapy for any diseases of the upper respiratory tract and flu.

From worms

Lemon has been used against parasites since antiquity, often diluted with pomegranate, viburnum or gooseberries 1 to 1, and then they drank a composition of juice, seeds and pulp. However, as modern studies have shown, such drugs have a rather limited effectiveness. For example, they can really bring out roundworm, but other parasites are simply immune to such substances.

Lemon-based traditional medicine recipes

Traditional medicine actively uses lemon to treat various diseases. Many recipes are relevant even now, despite all the development of the modern pharmacological industry.

1. For hypotension, you can use the composition of the juice of one lemon per 300 g of honey, add roasted and ground coffee beans there, depending on the condition, the dosage varies from 20 to 50 g. Take a thoroughly mixed mass in a teaspoon 2 hours after eating once a day . Keep the composition closed in the refrigerator.
2. When the legs hoot after active work, and painful cramps seize them at night, it is necessary to cut one lemon, remove the skin and squeeze the juice from half. A cotton swab to spread heels and caviar with lemon juice. Do not put on shoes or pants until everything is dry, and then attach the peeled skin to the area under the knees, you can lightly wrap it with an elastic bandage.
3. With diabetes, a blueberry-lemon drink helps. Two tablespoons of blueberry leaves pour 300 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours, after cooling pour a glass of lemon juice. Take 100 ml 3 times a day for 20 minutes before eating.
4. In chronic heart failure, it is necessary to take 30 g of prunes, 30 g of peach and one lemon. Grind prunes and pitted peaches, squeeze lemon juice with pulp. Moreover, it is important to get as much pulp as possible, you can remove the bones and grind everything in a blender. Mix all this and drink 2 tablespoons every morning for 20 days.
5. For severe bronchitis, take a whole lemon, 4 medium onions and 7 tablespoons of honey. Finely chop the onion, you can use a grater or a blender. Stir onion with honey until smooth and leave to infuse. Cut the lemon and remove the seeds, while the peel must be left, then also chopped in a blender or meat grinder. Mix all three ingredients. Take 2-3 teaspoons 3 times a day.
6. With pharyngitis, a mixture of lemon, honey and calendula helps. Squeeze the juice of a whole lemon, add two bottles of calendula tincture and 3 tablespoons of honey. Stir it all and lubricate the throat. It is better to use a long stick with a bandage swab at the end, since the cotton wool will remain on the throat and will cause discomfort.

Lemon in cosmetology

Cosmetology uses lemon juice, oil and zest to care for skin, hair and nails. These components are also included in many creams and shampoos. Lemon gives an extremely positive reaction when used, it is also a completely natural and safe remedy. The only contraindication is individual intolerance or allergy.

For face

1. Removing freckles is possible using a course of 15–20 masks of this composition. You need to take 100 g of honey and the juice of one whole lemon. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed. Next, soak gauze napkins and apply to places covered with freckles. Mask holding time - 15 minutes.
2. A cream refreshing and smoothing wrinkles is prepared on the basis of the juice of half a lemon with four tablespoons of honey. It should be slightly warmed up and warm applied to clean skin. Active time - 5 minutes.
3. From dark circles under the eyes, cotton pads soaked in lemon juice will help. A very important point: it is necessary to take such a position so that the juice does not get into the eyes. Hold the compress for 10 minutes.

For hair

1. Against dandruff, a decoction of the peel of 4 lemons in one liter of water will help, it must be boiled for 15 minutes, and then filtered. Weekly, you should carefully rinse your hair in such a decoction.
2. A mask refreshing and brightening the hair is prepared on the basis of the juice of one lemon, 3 tablespoons of cinnamon, 50 ml of olive oil and 50 ml of your favorite hair conditioner. The composition must be thoroughly mixed and then applied to the hair, rinse with warm water after half an hour.
3. A mask based on 150 ml of kefir, 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of cognac and juice of half a lemon is used to lighten hair. All this must be mixed and pour 10-20 ml of shampoo. Apply to the head with smooth movements, distributing along the entire length of the hair, close with plastic wrap and a towel from above. The mask can be washed off after 4–5 hours or even the next morning if strong lightening is required.

For nails

1. Soft nails can be soaked in warm water with 20% lemon juice and a drop of oil. The procedure takes at least 10 minutes, it needs to be done twice a week.
2. Zest will also help strengthen your nails. It will take one lemon, the zest should be squeezed, so it will give juice and essential oils. With this mixture, you need to rub your nails and keep it for 5-7 minutes, then you can rinse with warm water.
3. 100% concentrated juice will help whiten your nails and give them freshness, the main thing is not to overexpose your hands. Pour freshly squeezed juice into a small container and lower your hands, hold for about 10 minutes.

The use of lemon in the home

The special features of lemon make it a universal household product. They can delicately remove fat, especially where the use of chemical detergents is unacceptable, for example, on children's dishes or in the oven or microwave. The recipe is simple: pour 150 ml of water into a glass and add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or a small amount of cut slices. Boil inside the stove and then keep it closed for 10 minutes. Then it remains just to wipe the walls with a clean, dry cloth, and you're done.

Lemon removes scale and lime, which is especially popular for crock-pots and electric kettles. Lemon juice has excellent refreshing and aromatic abilities - this is a wonderful natural air freshener. Moreover, it works even in the refrigerator, you just need to moisten the sponge with lemon juice and put on the middle shelf. Within a few hours, the entire refrigerator will be filled with a fresh citrus smell.

Cooking Lemon

This fruit is used everywhere, in many cuisines of the world. A drop of lemon is needed for sourness in sauces and salads, it is added to marinades and pickles, many alcoholic cocktails require a slice of lemon or its juice. Zest is widely used in preparation for baking meat or fish to obtain a persistent and fresh citrus flavor.

Is it possible to replace lemon with citric acid

It is not possible to fully replace fresh and aromatic fruit with packaged acid. However, a partial replacement sufficient for many domestic and culinary applications is quite possible. The main thing is to choose the necessary concentration of acid. The closest level to natural lemon is a pinch of powder per 50 ml of warm water. If greater acidity is required, then the concentration should be increased.

Harm and contraindications

Lemon is a very healthy fruit that is recommended for everyone to eat regularly. It does not cause any harm to the body, however, it has some contraindications, namely:

• personal intolerance and allergies;
• peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
• colitis without clinical diagnosis;
• not diagnosed gastritis;
• cholecystitis without ultrasound.

Otherwise, the fruit can be given even to children from one year of age, diluting the juice with water. There are no additional precautions for use during pregnancy or lactation.

How to choose and store lemon

Ripe and juicy fruits are best consumed within one week. The lemon should be bright, smooth and shiny, when pressed on the skin, it quickly returns to its original form. For long-term storage and freezing, it is better to choose fruits slightly ripened, slightly harder and slightly greenish at the tips.

Lemon is perfectly stored in the refrigerator, up to a month. You can use the department for fruits and vegetables or on the bottom shelf. If it is not possible to use a refrigerator, then you can store it in a small container with cold water, but then you need to change it daily.

Is it possible to freeze

Lemon lends itself well to freezing, in whole or in part. It is enough to rinse the fruit with water, dry and freeze in a household freezer. More than 95% of vitamin C will remain in this fruit for many months, but other vitamins will disintegrate and lose about 20% of the composition. This can be avoided by industrial shock freezing up to -40 degrees.

If you have a vacuum, you can easily freeze the slices, you need to put them in a bag, pump out the air, after which the dish is ready for long-term storage.

The zest can be frozen in a jar or bag. Juice will require more efforts, it should be poured into special containers for the formation of ice, which is in any refrigerator. Knock out the resulting cubes and put them in a jar or any other solid container. A container filled with cubes with ice lemon juice can be transferred to a freezer and stored.

How many lemons can I eat per day

Do not get too carried away with lemon juice or slices. An excess of even an extremely useful product can be harmful, not beneficial. For lemon, it will be hypervitaminosis and increased acidity in the stomach.

The optimal dosage for daily use is 3 slices or their equivalent in juice, with a single dose - up to half a lemon in knocking.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

The best solution is to start the day with a glass of lemon water, and it is on an empty stomach. Eating lemon or its juice at night is not a good idea, usually the upper sections of the gastrointestinal tract are already empty and have completed active work. The only exception is a very hearty dinner or feast, especially with alcohol. Here a couple of lemon slices or juice will be an excellent help for the body. The next day will begin in a new way, without the negative consequences of yesterday's holiday.

Is it possible to eat lemon with a peel

The peel contains a lot of nutrients and significantly more vitamin C than in juice and pulp. However, industrial storage of lemons involves the use of wax coatings along with chemical preservatives. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the fruit using a soft brush, or to brush off this coating with your hands.

In some diseases, it is necessary to use the peel. Moreover, it has a less destructive effect on tooth enamel, so today such infusions are prescribed for rinsing the mouth and throat.

Can I eat bones

Lemon seeds have a composition of active substances that is different from the fruit. They are also very helpful. The only caveat - they must be crushed in a blender, mortar or in a meat grinder. Bones have their own taste and aroma, they moderate blood thinning and act as a diuretic. In cooking, this mixture is added to some marinade recipes, and is also used for meat, soups and minced meat.

What can be made from lemon: recipes

Lemon is an integral part of many dishes. It is actively added to sauces, giving them a slight acidity and a refreshing aroma, indispensable in the confectionery business, and is used in many salads and marinades. On its basis soft drinks and liquors are prepared.

Limoncello

This is a classic alcoholic drink that has a great taste, refreshing aroma and is easy to drink. To prepare it you will need:

• six medium lemons;
• 700 ml of good vodka;
• 400 ml of mineral still water;
• 450 g of sugar.

Only zest is needed from lemons, however, it is important to remove only the yellow part without affecting the white layer, otherwise the liquor will be bitter. It is necessary to pour vodka into a jar and add the zest obtained from 6 lemons, and then tightly close the lid. Insist 14 days in a warm place, mixing daily. Then filter the tincture, and it is better to squeeze the zest to get all the flavors.

The syrup is prepared on the basis of water and sugar, the mixture must be warmed up and brought to a boil. Sugar should be completely dissolved in syrup. After cooling, mix the resulting with lemon tincture and set on the table.

Lemon Kurd - Gourmet Custard

A thick custard with a citrus flavor is perfect in the form of a filling, but you can and just eat it with spoons with tea. For cooking, the following components are needed:

• three eggs;
• 150 g of sugar;
• three large lemons;
• four tablespoons of butter;
• a tablespoon of zest.

It is necessary to put a metal bowl in a water bath, pour eggs, sugar and freshly squeezed juice there. Beat thoroughly with a whisk and thicken by evaporation, constantly mixing the mixture. Upon reaching the desired consistency, remove from heat and strain through a sieve to remove any lumps. Add the crushed butter in a hot cream and zest, mix everything. Ready lemon Kurd to cool in the refrigerator and serve.

Lemonade

Making delicious lemonade at home is extremely simple, it will be a truly natural and very healthy drink that can be given your favorite taste. The classic base consists of the following components:

• 3 lemons;
• 100 g of sugar;
• 1.5 l of slightly sparkling water;
• 2-3 sprigs of mint.

To this can be added lime, strawberries, ginger, vanillin. To cook everything in a saucepan - you need to pour a glass of ordinary water, sugar and chopped half a lemon. Bring everything to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Strain the chilled syrup into a suitable container, add the juice of two lemons, slightly carbonated water and mint. Mix everything and refrigerate for half an hour. A refreshing and delicious homemade lemonade is ready!

Jam

The easiest way to make aromatic jam requires only the following components:

• lemons - 1 kg;
• sugar - 2 kg.

You can introduce any additional ingredients into the composition and vary the sweetness with sugar. Fruits should be passed through a meat grinder with a skin, but without seeds, add sugar, mix and leave overnight in the refrigerator.

Boil the mass over low heat, without boiling. It is enough to achieve a suitable consistency after cooling, after which the product is ready for use.

Candied fruit

You can prepare sweet and sour and aromatic candied fruits at home, and it will take literally an hour and a half and basic ingredients, namely:

• a glass of sugar;
• 500 ml of water;
• 1 large lemon.

Such proportions are considered classic. It is convenient to make candied fruits from sliced ​​lemon, it will go into tea, filling, as a decoration of a dish. However, such a product is stored relatively briefly. Candied lemon peels will last for several months, but they are more suitable as a flavoring dish.

Lemon should be cut into slices of batch thickness and remove the seeds. Pour a glass of water into the pan and bring to a boil, remove from the heat and put the mugs of lemon for one minute into the still hot water. Then quickly cool, optimally use cold water with ice cubes.

Now you need to pour a glass of water into the pan, add sugar and mix until smooth, heating over a fire.At a time when the liquid is close to boiling, add lemon mugs and simmer for one hour, avoiding boiling. Put candied fruit on parchment and cool. Gourmet appetizer ready to serve.

How to squeeze juice

The classic method of squeezing juice involves rolling on a table with squeezing. However, you can squeeze out 30% more fluid if you put the lemon in the microwave for 10–20 seconds. Ready indicator - a noticeably warm skin, but not hot. Now you can cut the fruit and get really a lot of juice.

To use the fork effectively, it is necessary to stick it into the pulp and to destroy the pulp of the fetus with movements. However, this method requires the presence of a filter or sieve, since together with the juice, destroyed fetal membranes will fall into the container.

Can lemons be given to animals

Dogs and cats are extremely undesirable to give lemons, even if they ask. The point is several components at once. Linalool and limonene are well tolerated by humans, but the body of a cat or dog does not know what to do with them. A pronounced toxic dose of these substances is only 38 mg per 1 kg of animal weight. This will lead to severe digestive upset, diarrhea, vomiting, trembling, weakness, depression, and severe salivation. If the toxic dose is exceeded, a fatal outcome is real, even with a quick visit to the veterinarian.

Another component is charm. Cats and dogs have an extremely sensitive scent, and it is physically painful for them to smell such a sharp citrus smell, especially if drops of essential oils remain on the surface of the nose. A close acquaintance with chopped lemon can blunt the animal’s scent forever.

Interesting facts about lemon

1. Today, lemons are grown in Europe and America, but the fruit is native to India and China, and wild varieties grow there today. By the way, according to legend, fruits came to Europe with the army of Alexander the Great, and the Greeks called the lemon an Indian apple.
2. For a long time, scurvy was a real curse of travelers and sailors. Ailments caused a poor diet, it has been clear since ancient times. However, only James Lind in 1754 proposed lemon and its juice in the form of effective prevention of scurvy, appropriate on ships, due to good preservation. Since 1795, the royal, and a decade later, the rest of the fleets began to use citrus fruits for this, and the scurvy epidemic was defeated.
3. Since the 16th century, blueberries were served only paired with lemon at dinner parties and balls in Europe. The fact is that the berry stains the teeth black, which was considered a sign of the peasants and was not to face the aristocrats. Lemon also helped to quickly get rid of an unpleasant plaque.

Photo of lemons