Lemon has a special place in home remedies. And it carries a special meaning for those of us living in hot climes. A glass of Nimbu Pani (lemonade) is all you want after a day out on a hot summer day. Lemon has significant therapeutic properties and finds use in a wide variety of treatments, some of which I have tried to list below.

As a cooler

• Lemon makes for a refreshing drink in summers. It cools the body and lemonade with a pinch of salt helps replenish body salts lost due to heat.
• Lemonade with salt & sugar is recommended in loose motions.
• Sweet lemonade is recommended in fever.
• Essential oil of lemons is used for cooling.
• Its essence also finds use in soaps, body washes and deodorants to convey a “cooling effect”.

For the skin

• Lemon acts as a natural bleach. Applying lemon juice on face regularly brings glow to the face.
• Because of its high Vitamin C content, lemon helps ward off scurvy.
• Used with glycerine, it works as a good moisturiser.

As a cleanser

• Rubbing the inside of a rind of lemon on elbows and knees cleanses them.
• Lemon rinds have long been used for cleaning brass and copper utensils.

For healing

• Lemon has antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
• Lemon juice creates a soothing effect when applied on insect bites and stings.
• Lemon taken with honey, ground black pepper, crushed cardamom and hot water helps heal sore throat.

In detox

• Lemon, because of its acidic nature, cleanses the system. It acts as a blood purifier and helps the body get rid of toxins.
• Lemon strengthens the immune system of the body and helps protect against infections.
• Its high potassium content makes it useful for brain and nerve cells, and safer for those with heart troubles.
• Lemon taken with warm water and honey, on an empty stomach early in the morning, is known to assist in weight-loss.
• Lemon detox diets, which consist of fresh lemon juice, water, cayenne pepper and maple syrup are known to help cleanse the body of toxins and thus help lose weight quickly while improving general health and well being.

Tags: ayurvedic remedy, benefits of lemon, lemon in ayurveda, Natural detox, Natural healing, natural health