Lemon (citrea limon)
The lemon is the fruit of an evergreen tree with highly scented blossoms.
Lemons were used in Europe as early as 200 A.D. and were given to sailors to treat scurvy and other vitamin deficiencies. The lemon tree originates in the Himalayas but already in the Antiquity it was introduced to the Mediterranean area. |
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Health Benefits & Modern Medicinal uses
Lemon juice is rich in citric acid and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Lemons were the primary commercial source of citric acid prior to the development of fermentation-based processes.
Citric acid is a natural preservative, aids digestion and helps dissolve kidney stones.
Vitamin C is a powerful water soluble natural anti-oxidant, helpful in preventing scurvy. Besides, consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the blood.
Vitamin C travels through the body neutralizing any free radicals with which it comes into contact in the aqueous environments in the body both inside and outside cells. Free radicals can interact with the healthy cells of the body, damaging them and their membranes, and also cause a lot of inflammation, or painful swelling, in the body.
Lemons limes contain unique flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. While these flavonoids have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cell lines, they are perhaps most interesting for their antibiotic effects. Several other fascinating research studies on the healing properties of lemons have shown that cell cycles are the activities of special immune cells called monocytes.
Limonin's bioavailability and persistence may help explain why citrus limonoids are potent anti-carcinogens that may prevent cancerous cells from proliferating. Other natural anti-carcinogens are available for much less time; for example, the phenols in green tea and chocolate remain active in the body for just 4 to 6 hours.
Lemon juice in Skin Care is a natural exfoliate, skin brightener and anti-infective. It is rich in fruit acids that will exfoliate to gently remove dead skin cells and will also bleach darkened or discoloured areas. With its rich content of nutrients it helps your skin as well as your hair.
It has good amount of Vitamin C which makes things easier if you want to have lovely and ravishing skin.
As it helps in stimulation, lemon has been used in many of the aromatherapy soaps and oil to rejuvenate you in every aspect.
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