You get more than a sharp tang when you suck a lemon wedge or drink fresh lemonade. Lemons are an extraordinarily rich source of healing chemical compounds that improve immunity, strength blood vessels, help skin to heal and may even block certain cell changes that can lead to cancer. A quick rub of lemon in the armpits helps to combat unpleasant smells. A squeeze of lemon added to hot water and honey is the perfect sore-throat elixir. And lemon is a vital ingredient when it comes to making homemade cough mixtures.
What’s it good for?
- acne
- age spots
- body odour
- calluses and corns
- colds and flu
- cold sores
- coughs
- dry mouth
- greasy hair
- head lice
- heartburn
- hiccups
- kidney stones
- laryngitis
- morning sickness
- oily skin
- pregnancy ailments
- sore throat
- varicose veins
- warts
Century ago, British sailors ate lemons by the boatload to prevent scurvy, a deadly disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. A single lemon contains 40mg vitamin C, the full recommended daily target intake. We don’t worry about scurvy anymore because there are so many sources of vitamin C in our diet. But lemon provide a host of other benefits.
Citrus power
Never underestimate the power of vitamin C – or the tried and trusted advice to drink lemony drinks when you have a cold. The vitamin C in lemons reduces levels of histamine, the chemical that contributes to stuffed noses and runny eyes. The vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that also reduces levels of unstable cell-damaging molecules known as free radicals, and helps to guard against heart disease. (Several studies have shown that low levels of vitamin C increase the risk of heart attack.
When cholesterol becomes oxidized – attacked by free radicals – it’s more likely to turn into artery-blocking plaque.) The body uses vitamin C to boost the activity of immune cells and manufacture collagen, the tissue-building substance that assists in wound healing.
Here are more reasons to enjoy the zesty pleasure of lemons:
- Fewer kidney stones Lemons are loaded with citric acid, a chemical that reduces calcium excretion and helps to prevent the formation of these painful little stones. Two liters (31/2 pints) of lemonade daily, made with fresh lemon juice – with as little added sugar as possible – are as effective as citrate medications.
- Stronger veins Lemon zest is rich in a bioflavonoid (a group of antioxidant pant chemicals) called rutin, which strengthens the walls of veins and capillaries and reduces the pain- and even the occurrence – of varicose veins.
- Breast protection Another chemical, found in lemon peel and the white membrane beneath it, is limonene. Experiments suggest that limonene has significant anti-tumour activity. Researchers are now investigating limonene for its potential application as a cancer treatment and preservative, especially breast cancer. Scientists tested the substance – the laboratory – on human breast cancer cells and found that it inhibited their growth. Limonene also causes oestrogen to break down into a weaker form in the body, which is important because raised oestrogen levels are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer. Limonene also boosts the liver’s ability to remove potential carcinogens from the blood.
- Beauty benefits If applied often enough to age spots, lemon juice will eventually fade these marks of maturity. You can also dab it onto acne for faster healing.
- Lemon tea reduces skin cancer risk A study of 450 people found that those who regularly drink black tea, and especially those who usually add lemon to their tea, have a reduced risk of certain types of skin cancer. It may be that lemon works by boosting the activity of an enzyme (called glutathione S-transferase), which detoxifies cancer-causing compounds.