Health Care

8 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Lemon

Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Lemon

Lemon is a great cooking and flavoring agent. It has been used since ages due to its therapeutic, medicinal and beauty benefits. It is an immune booster and helps in cleansing the digestive track and works as a blood purifier. It is a powerhouse of vital nutrients like iron, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and fiber. Moreover, it has a refreshing fragrance which can add flavor and tangy twist to a cuisine. Apart from its various health benefits like improving digestion, providing safeguard against cold and weight-loss, it has many skin and beauty benefits. Lemon is widely being used in various soaps, shampoos and other body care products.

Here Are Some Of The Amazing Benefits Of Lemon:

1. Effective Against Scurvy

Scurvy occurs due to deficiency in vitamin C and causes symptoms like fatigue, soreness in the body, gum diseases, bleeding and infection which may turn fatal [1] . The only way of recovering from scurvy is through vitamin C intake. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. One ounce of lemon juice contains about 12 mg of vitamin C.

Scurvy

2. Improves Digestion

Drinking lemon water after waking up in the morning, help in cleansing the digestive track [2] . This also increases the energy levels and improves digestion. Lemon juice stimulates the secretion of digestive and bile juice which boosts metabolism and aids in improving digestion. This helps in maintaining a healthy liver and lymphatic system.

 Improves digestion

3. Helps In Weight Loss

Drinking lemon juice is an effective way of losing weight fast [3] . Lemon contains a fiber known as pectin, which keeps the stomach satiated or full for longer. This means less craving for food and lesser calorie gain.

Helps In Weight Loss

4. Relieves Cold And Flu

Lemon is enriched with vitamin C which boosts the body’s immune system [4] . Intake of lemon helps in nullifying the affects of germs and virus that causes cold and flu and lowers the release of phlegm. You can drink lemon juice, add it to soups and salads or drink lemon tea to reduce the chances of cold and flu.

Relieves Cold And flu

5. Strengthens The Nail

If you have unhealthy, stained and brittle nails, then applying lemon is the key to getting healthy, beautiful and strong nails [5] . Even if there are dirt and dust accumulated beneath the nails, it is easy to remove them without using any tool to prick them out. Moreover, if there is any yellowish tinge or stubborn dark patches on the nails, applying lemon juice is one of the safest and most natural ways of removing them. Lemon has acidic properties which help in cleansing the nails. To cleanse your nails, take some lukewarm water in a bowl and add a few drops of lemon juice. Soak your fingernails in the water for about ten minutes. This will soften the cuticles and remove the tinge and dirt. To strengthen your nails, mix together a few drops of olive oil and lemon juice and massage it. Wash off after sometime.

Strengthens The Nail

6. Lightens Dark Skin On Knees And Elbows

If the skin of your knees and elbows are dark as compared to other parts of the body, you can use lemon to soften and lighten the skin through exfoliation [6] . Mix together a few drops of lemon juice and baking soda to form a thick paste. Now, scrub the dark knees and elbows with this paste and remove the dry and dark skin from the surface. Wash off with water and moisturize the skin.

Lightens dark skin on knees and elbows.

7. Removes Excess Oil From The Skin

If you have a very oily skin which looks shiny and greasy all the time, lemon can help in removing the excess oil. Apply a few drops of lemon juice with gram flour powder or oatmeal as a face pack [7] . You can also mix together rose water and a few drops of lemon juice and apply it on your face and rinse off with water after 5 minutes. However, you should avoid going out in the sun after using lemon, as it makes the skin more sensitive.

Removes Excess Oil From The Skin

8. Removes Tan

The skin lightening properties of lemon helps in getting rid of unwanted tan from going out in the sun. Take a lemon slice and gently rub it on the skin for sometimes [8] . Repeat this every day until the tan is gone. You will start noticing the improvement in skin tone after a few days.

Tan

9. Exfoliates The Lips

Rough, patchy lips with layers of dead skin is embarrassing and never gives a smooth finish on applying lipstick over it. Therefore, it is important to exfoliate it and remove the dry and dead skin [10] . For this, mix together a few drops of glycerin with equal quantity of lemon juice and apply it on your lips while going to bed. This will help in softening and exfoliating the skin and make it smooth.

 Exfoliates The Lips