words by Rose Dahlsen

There’s a lot to love about lemons. Combine the citric juice with rose water for an anti-bacterial face wash or mix two tablespoons with one part olive oil for a crafty shoe polish. Shavings of the peel add zest to dressings and desserts, or place the outer rind on a windowsill to deter uninvited insects.

Boost vitamin C
The welcome arrival of spring brings an abundance of yellow daffodils. Add another flash of yellow this week, and start each day with a cup of lemon tea. The ingredients are minimal, but the benefits are boundless. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as the zesty fusion of a lemon slice soaked in hot water to awaken the senses. Bursting with vitamin C, the citric fruit boosts the body’s immune system which helps stave off nuisance colds. Acidic in its natural state, the tangy beverage generates an alkaline effect within the body which helps to balance our all-important pH levels. The vitamin C component also offers a host of healthy skin benefits. Working as an effective antioxidant, it helps to decrease unwanted wrinkles and bothersome blemishes, as well as providing relief to sore sunburn. The vital vitamin also maintains collagen levels and repairs damaged tissues. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood, which ultimately contributes to a clearer complexion. By directly applying the concoction to scars, the zesty mixture can also help reduce their appearance.

Cleanse
Combined with its natural detoxifying properties, warm water with lemon juice is a great remedy for treating urinary infections. It works as a diuretic to purify and cleanse our inner-temples, releasing toxins from the system at a faster rate.

Improve Digestion
But the benefits don’t end there. Lemon juice also significantly contributes to a healthy digestive system. The formula encourages the liver to produce bile, a necessary acid required for digestion, which allows the bowels to eliminate waste more efficiently. An effective digestive system also markedly reduces heartburn and bloating. High in pectin fibre, the citric blend makes the body feel fuller, reduces cravings for food and aids weight loss.

Calm Yourself Down
Lemons are packed full with vitamin C’s soothing properties. The vitamin absconds the body, as soon as it’s subjected to stress or anxiety, so the lemon formula works brilliantly as a calming concoction.

Improve IQ
Oh, and they’re also high in potassium – a chemical element that works effectively to control high blood pressure, strengthen capillaries and reduce palpitations, whilst also stimulating our brain and nerve function.

Suggested Recipe: The zesty juice of half a lemon to one cup of warm water.

image from: Bodyandsoul.com.au