One of today’s #FridayReflections‘ prompt is – Reflect on the following quote: “I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.” – Ron White
I’ve decided to cheat a bit and write about lemons – their benefits and share links to how you can use them, preserve them and salvage them! 😉
When Life Gives You Lemons Use Them
Lemons are known to have many curative properties. They contain Vitamin C, citric acid, pectin, calcium, limonene, bioflavonoids, calcium and magnesium that make them antibacterial, immunity-boosting and antiviral. They’re also known to be good for weight loss, lemon juice is a good liver cleanser and digestive aid.
The juice of one lemon to a cup of hot water with honey drunk every two hours helps fevers and chills subside.
Repeated use of rosewater or honey water mixed with an equal part of lemon juice and applied with a cotton ball or finger and left on for half hour or so, is a good treatment for acne.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with luke warm water makes a good rinse if you are suffering from mouth ulcers. Rinse your mouth three times a day for the antibacterial properties of the lemons to kick in.
Lemon balm essential oil is known to help in increasing concentration and alertness. Sprinke a drop on your handkerchief and inhale for a perk up. Might be a great idea to use some as a room freshener too.
Drink the freshly squeezed juice of a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water every few hours when you feel a cold coming on. Immune-boosting Vitamin C in a glass!
Gargle with a mixuture of the freshly squeezed juice of one lemon, a teaspoon of sea salt and a cup of lukewarm water, every two hours, when you have a sore throat.
I’m sure you’ve seen atheletes suck on a lemon. The reason? It’s great to fight fatigue. Drink a glass of lemon juice every few hours when you’re fatigued.
Seasoned travellers will add sliced lemon to their water bottles when they travel, as the lemon acts as an antispectic and reduces allergies to different kinds of water.
Sour breath after consuming alchohol or smoking cigarettes? A rinse of lemon juice and warm water makes a great mouth freshner.
Lemon juice is used to reduce rheumatic pains, heal eczema, reduce hypertension and reduce the affects of bug bites and in massages to reduce varicose viens.
Here are some lemony links for you:
Tasting Table: 5 great lemon hacks
A lemon is a workhorse: It’s used more than almost any other citrus fruit for its juice, as a garnish, to provide sauces with a lift or to cut through rich, heavy dishes. And it can do more still. Check out these other uses for lemons to make the most of this cheery little fruit.
BBC : How to make preserved lemons
Fragrant, strongly flavoured preserved lemons are well worth the wait. You can use a tiny bit each time stirred through mashed potato to serve with fish, mixed into rice for prawn curry, or in a tagine for authentic Moroccan flavour. (Click on the link above to get the recipe).
Do you have any more tips you can add?
I’m a big fan of lemons and use them in my water to keep my voice fresh and clear when speaking publicly.
Ah that’s good to know, Carol. You’ve been on my mind – and perhaps, you know why! 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
That’s a very interesting quote. I must find somebody with vodka! 😀
Lemon is a miracle, it has so many health benefits. Thanks for sharing some lemony tips 🙂
We can get together and have some, Shilpa! 😉 Glad you liked the twist of lemons!
Although I cannot ingest a lot of lemon or citrus because I tend to have bouts with acid reflux, I definitely feel better and more energized just by smelling anything lemon.
Oh, yes! The acidity wouldn’t suit you at all. I love my lemon scented soaps!
Thanks for your visit, MB. 🙂
I love lemon water and drink it every day! Great post, Corrine!
Good to know, Terri. Thanks for your visit!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. #MidLifeLuv
Glad you liked them, Paula! Appreciate the visit.
Those are some fabulous tips! I am going to use lemon more. For now – I just use in a few of my recipes, my lemon-honey tea or the tulsi tea that I am fond of! 🙂
Lemon tea is fab too, Parul. Enjoy a lovely, lemony weekend! 🙂
Lots of ideas in your post Corinne that I could use. I am already a lemon fan. I begin my morning with it, love lemon pickle too. But I had no idea it had so many health benefits.
Lemon pickle is delish! Glad you found the information useful!
Great take on the word prompt Corinne. I love the fresh smell of lemons, lemon in warm water every morning and also in cold water. I have picked up a few more tips from your post thank you !
Glad you liked the post and found it useful, Sue!
Okay, I will be honest. I did not know even half of these benefits! 😀 Am “Pocket”ing this article for future reads and reference…
Yes, whoever thought there’d be so much goodness packed into a small package!
Great post, I too love lemons for all their magical ways! I just made a fresh batch of pickled lemons yesterday and I cannot live without them.
Glad you liked it, Salty. Wondering how you pickle them. In India, our lime pickles are really spicy and preserved in oil and salt!
I knew lemons are versatile, but learned a lot of new uses reading this. I’ve used lemons in water for years! Great tips Corinne!
There’s a lot I found out when researching for this post, Cathy!
I just picked 22 lemons off my tree! So this post came at the perfect time!! Thanks for linking up #Fridayrflections
You did? Lucky you, Mac! 🙂
Nimboo pani is such a refreshing drink I love it. And a warm lemon and honey drink does help those coughs and colds. Nice post.
Nimbu pani is my all time favourite drink too, Suzy. Thanks for stopping by!
Last year, I went to Poland and there is a big habit to drink water with lemon.
I brought it back home and I cannot live without it. 🙂
#FridayReflections
Interesting, Debbie! I’ve seen a lot of Americans doing this in India too.