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Introduction
Benefits
Precautions
Recommended dosage
How to use
FAQs
References
Author Details
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Ayurvedic View By
Dr. Deepak Soni
BAMS
Scientific View By
Deepa Sarkar
M.Pharm, B.Pharm
Reviewed By
Dr. Rajeev Sharma
MBA, MBBS
Last updated
24 Mar 2025 | 05:00 PM (IST)
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Lemon
Lemon (Citrus limon) is a flowering plant rich in vitamin C, citric acid and essential oil that is widely used for food and medicinal purposes.
Consuming Lemon juice might help to manage kidney stones as it prevents the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals which is the main reason for stone formation. It also prevents damage to kidney cells due to its antioxidant and anti inflammatory activity.
It is beneficial in cough and cold as it boosts immunity which helps fight various infections. Lemon can also assist in weight loss when taken regularly along with honey in warm water.
According to Ayurveda, the intake of Lemon with salt is a common remedy to help manage nausea as it helps to promote digestion.
Lemon essential oil mixed with some other carrier oil like olive oil helps to reduce stress. It can be massaged on the scalp to reduce the symptoms of stress. It can also be used to manage various skin infections due to its antimicrobial activity.
It is advisable to use Lemon juice in diluted form to avoid irritation of skin and scalp due to its acidic property[1-4].
Consuming Lemon juice might help to manage kidney stones as it prevents the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals which is the main reason for stone formation. It also prevents damage to kidney cells due to its antioxidant and anti inflammatory activity.
It is beneficial in cough and cold as it boosts immunity which helps fight various infections. Lemon can also assist in weight loss when taken regularly along with honey in warm water.
According to Ayurveda, the intake of Lemon with salt is a common remedy to help manage nausea as it helps to promote digestion.
Lemon essential oil mixed with some other carrier oil like olive oil helps to reduce stress. It can be massaged on the scalp to reduce the symptoms of stress. It can also be used to manage various skin infections due to its antimicrobial activity.
It is advisable to use Lemon juice in diluted form to avoid irritation of skin and scalp due to its acidic property[1-4].
What are the synonyms of Lemon?
Citrus limon, Neemboo, Nimbuka, Limbu, Elumiccai, Lebu, Limbu, Nibu, Nimmakaya
What is the source of Lemon?
Plant Based
Benefits of Lemon
What are the benefits of Lemon for Common cold?
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Modern Science View
Lemon might be beneficial in managing cold and flu. Vitamin C in Lemon is a potent antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral agent with immunomodulatory properties. It helps to reduce the duration and severity of cold. Vitamin C in Lemon also decreases the damage in blood vessels and alveoli of lungs caused by influenza virus[5][18][19][20].
Ayurvedic View
Lemon helps to fight against common cold and flu. According to Ayurveda, cough is mainly due to an imbalance of the Kapha dosha. Lemon works on an aggravated Kapha due to its Ushna (hot) potency. It also boost the immune system if taken regularly.
What are the benefits of Lemon for Influenza (flu)?
Ayurvedic View
Lemon helps to figh Flu because Lemon works on aggravated Kapha due to its Ushna (hot) potency and also boost the immune system if taken regularly.
What are the benefits of Lemon for Kidney stone?
Modern Science View
Lemon might be beneficial in preventing kidney stone formation.
Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stones. These crystals lead to increase in oxidative stress. Free radicals further damage the kidney and cause inflammation. Citrus bioflavonoids in Lemon juice have anti-urolithic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective activities. Lemon juice prevents the deposition of these calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney. Lemon increases the pH of the urine and excretion of citrate through urine. In this way, Lemon helps to restore the normal activity of the kidneys[5][13].
Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stones. These crystals lead to increase in oxidative stress. Free radicals further damage the kidney and cause inflammation. Citrus bioflavonoids in Lemon juice have anti-urolithic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective activities. Lemon juice prevents the deposition of these calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney. Lemon increases the pH of the urine and excretion of citrate through urine. In this way, Lemon helps to restore the normal activity of the kidneys[5][13].
Ayurvedic View
Lemon helps to break kidney stone when taken regularly. This is due to its Tikshna (sharp) and Amla (sour) properties. Lemon juice breaks down the kidney stone in small pieces and help to expel out from the kidney through urine.
What are the benefits of Lemon for Scurvy?
Modern Science View
Lemon might be beneficial in managing scurvy and associated symptoms.
Scurvy is due to vitamin C deficiency. In scurvy, the blood vessels become weak and leak to cause abnormal bleeding. Symptoms associated with scurvy include fatigue, joint stiffness, joint pain, spongy and bleeding gums, fever, jaundice and loss of teeth. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C which is a potent antioxidant and is necessary for the synthesis of collagen. Collagen provides strength to the blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps in absorption of iron thus, reduces the risk of bleeding and iron deficiency in people suffering from scurvy[5][16][17].
Scurvy is due to vitamin C deficiency. In scurvy, the blood vessels become weak and leak to cause abnormal bleeding. Symptoms associated with scurvy include fatigue, joint stiffness, joint pain, spongy and bleeding gums, fever, jaundice and loss of teeth. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C which is a potent antioxidant and is necessary for the synthesis of collagen. Collagen provides strength to the blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps in absorption of iron thus, reduces the risk of bleeding and iron deficiency in people suffering from scurvy[5][16][17].
Ayurvedic View
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C and helps in managing bleeding disorders especially bleeding gum (scurvy). This is because of its Amla (sour) property.
What are the benefits of Lemon for Swelling?
Modern Science View
Lemon might be beneficial in decreasing swelling. Rutin in Lemon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property. It decreases inflammation and swelling by inhibiting nitric oxide and TNF-α production in neutrophils[5][21].
What are the benefits of Lemon for Meniere's disease?
Modern Science View
Lemon might be beneficial in managing the symptoms associated with Meniere’s disease.
Meniere’s disease is associated with symptoms like tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo. One of the reasons for these symptoms can be oxidative stress. Eriodictyol in Lemon has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and helps in managing the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Lemon is also a rich source of vitamin C that helps to improve hearing outcomes[5][14][15].
Meniere’s disease is associated with symptoms like tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo. One of the reasons for these symptoms can be oxidative stress. Eriodictyol in Lemon has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and helps in managing the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Lemon is also a rich source of vitamin C that helps to improve hearing outcomes[5][14][15].
How effective is Lemon?
Insufficient evidence
Common cold, Influenza (flu), Kidney stone, Meniere's disease, Scurvy, Swelling
Precautions when using Lemon
Advice from Experts
Ayurvedic View
Always use fresh lemon for consuming and cut it just before using.
Recommended Dosage of Lemon
- Lemon Juice - 3-5 teaspoon twice a day.
- Lemon Powder - ¼-½ teaspoon twice day.
- Lemon Capsule - 1-2 capsules twice a day.
How to use Lemon
1. Lemon Juice
a. Add 1-2 teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass of water.
b. Drink this water after taking food twice a day.
a. Lemon Juice with Honey
i. Add 1-2 teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass lukewarm water.
ii. Add honey to it.
iii. Drink this water empty stomach in the morning to get of toxins and fats from the body.
2. Lemon Powder with Water or Honey
a. Take ¼-½ teaspoon Lemon powder.
b. Add 1 glass of water or 1 teaspoon honey.
c. Have it after taking lunch and dinner.
3. Lemon Capsules
a. Take 1-2 capsules of Lemon.
b. Swallow it with water 1-2 times a day after taking light meals.
a. Add 1-2 teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass of water.
b. Drink this water after taking food twice a day.
a. Lemon Juice with Honey
i. Add 1-2 teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass lukewarm water.
ii. Add honey to it.
iii. Drink this water empty stomach in the morning to get of toxins and fats from the body.
2. Lemon Powder with Water or Honey
a. Take ¼-½ teaspoon Lemon powder.
b. Add 1 glass of water or 1 teaspoon honey.
c. Have it after taking lunch and dinner.
3. Lemon Capsules
a. Take 1-2 capsules of Lemon.
b. Swallow it with water 1-2 times a day after taking light meals.
Frequently asked questions
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Modern Science View
1. Tablets
2. Capsule
3. Oil
4. Juice
2. Capsule
3. Oil
4. Juice
Modern Science View
Consuming Lemon with sugar or preparing squash can reduce its medicinal benefits. It is therefore recommended not to take Lemon with excess sugar if you want to get its desired benefits.
References
- 1Hsouna AB, Halima NB, Smaoui S.Citrus lemon essential oil: Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with its preservative effect against Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in minced beef meat.Lipids Health Dis.2017;16:146.
- 2Kamal GM, Anwar F, Hussain AI, et.al. Yield and chemical composition of citrus essential oils as affected by drying pretreatment of peels.Inter Food Res J.2011;18:1275–1282.
- 3Darjazi BB.Comparison of peel oil components of grapefruit and lime (Citrus sp.)Intl J Agri Crop Sci.2013;6:840–847.
- 4Mustafa NE.Citrus essential oils:Current and prospective uses in the food industry.Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric.2015;7(2):115-27.
- 5WebMD. Lemon: Uses, Side effects, Doses, Interactions [Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
- 6Boudries H, Madani K, Touati N, et.al.Pulp antioxidant activities, mineral contents and juice nutritional properties of algerian clementine cultivars and mandarin.Afr. J. Biotechnol.2012;11:4258–4267.
- 7Rekha C, Poornima G, Manasa M.et al. Ascorbic acid, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of fresh juices of four ripe and unripe citrus fruits.Chem.Sci. Trans.2012;1:303–310.
- 8Jabri NAN, Hossain MA.Comparative chemical composition and antimicrobial activity study of essential oils from two imported lemon fruits samples against pathogenic bacteria.2014;3(4):247-253.
- 9Karimi E, Oskoueian E, Hendra R, et.al.Phenolic compounds characterization and biological activities of Citrus aurantium bloom.Molecules.2012;17:1203–1218.
- 10Aruoma OI, Landes B, Baboolall RD, et al. Functional benefits of citrus fruits in the management of diabetes.Prev. Med.2012;54:S12–S16.
- 11Zhou W, Fukumoto S, Yokogoshi H.Components of lemon essential oil attenuate dementia induced by scopolamine.Nutr Neurosci.2009;12(2):57-64.",http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=545
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Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.