Lemon
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
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.
Ayurvedic View
Avoid the daily consumption of Lemon fruit during winter because of its highly Amla (sour) taste which can cause mild irritation in the throat.
Ayurvedic View
Use lemon in small amount or its juice diluted with water, if you have excess acidity and Pitta related problems.
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
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
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- WebMD. Lemon: Uses, Side effects, Doses, Interactions [Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
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- Aruoma OI, Landes B, Baboolall RD, et al. Functional benefits of citrus fruits in the management of diabetes.Prev. Med.2012;54:S12–S16.
- Zhou 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
- Kumbhakar S, Verma R, Biju B.Effect of warm lemon water drink on selected physical parameters among the overweight female nursing students of RIMS & R, U.P.International journal of nursing research and practice.2016;3(1):9-12.
- "Chaturvedi D, Suhane N, Shrivastava RR. Basketful benefits of Citrus limon. Int Res J Pharm. 2016;7(6):[1-4]. "
- Palazzolo E, Laudicina VA, Germana MA.Current and Potential Use of Citrus Essential Oils.2013;17(24):3042-3049.
- Pal M.Lemon: A versatile fruit of multiple uses.Agriculture world.2017.
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.