Lemon is a very familiar culinary plant which is native to the northeastern regions of India and tropical Asia. As a fruit of the citrus group and as a food, it has a long history of use by humans. It was introduced to Spain and Africa by the Arabs in the 12th century. Later, Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus brought back the lemon seeds from the Canary Islands during his second voyage. In the United States, Florida was the first lemon producer, leading the country in the production of lemons until 1895 when a heavy freeze killed lemon grooves and eventually the lemon commerce of Florida. Now California leads lemon production in the U.S., accounting for 95% of the country’s lemon consumption with the remaining 5% imported from Italy. Together, the U.S. and Italy supply most good quality lemons of the Western countries.
As a food or drink, it provides a variety of
benefits. The juice is a good substitute for vinegar if used in salad dressings and flavoring for many dishes. It can also lessen the taste of
fruit juices that are very sweet. It has also an abundant amount of Vitamins C and B1 and potassium. It is also ideal for detoxifying the body as it can flush out toxins that have accumulated inside the body. For its non-food uses, the juice can also be used to soften water to rinse the hair after shampooing it, or as a natural lightener for hair color.
The lemon has three important parts that are used for medicinal purposes. These are the rind of the ripe fruit, the oil from the rind, and the juice of the ripe lemon. The rind is both a stomach stimulant and gas-expelling agent. The rind’s oil, which is derived by squeezing the rind, relieves flatulence or stomach gas. While the juice fights a scurvy disease, which is caused by lack of ascorbic acid. The
use of lemon to prevent scurvy was discovered by Royal Navy surgeon James Lind in the 18th century when the disease had ravaged many crews of the ships. Today, the lemon is used around the world for its numerous medicinal and healing properties. The juice can perk up or relieve the weary and those suffering from colds. Many doctors recommend lemonade to treat nausea, fever or hemorrhaging problems. In the case of
diabetes , it can decrease the person’s blood sugar levels, and dissolve and eliminate fats. It has also been found to fight some health problems such as kidney stones, urinary infections, colds, bronchitis, constipation, pyorrhea or inflammation of the tooth sockets, and heartburn.
The lemon has other
medicinal properties. Its digestive properties stimulate the pancreas and liver function while reducing cholesterol. Its citric acid property can fight bacterial and viral infections, while its Vitamin C is a powerful
antioxidant that helps in the growth and reform of some body tissues. As antioxidant, it helps slow the aging process, heals wounds, fights tumors and prevents inflammatory diseases. The bioflavonoids in the juice can strengthen the blood vessels and maintain and improve eye health. The most important property of the juice destroys the toxins in the body and mows down the bad germs of diphtheria, typhoid fever and other serious diseases.
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