Lemons and Limes – Sour Flavor

Lemons and limes are possibly the most valuable fruits therapeutically!

It is important with any food or drink to not over do it, in moderation is best. Check in with yourself. If you are not feeling well after eating or drinking a certain type of food try eliminating it for a while then reintroducing it.

For thousands of years many cultures have been eating with the five flavors, they help keep us in balance.

Lemons and Limes Internally

• Gently cleanse toxins
• Keep the body, vessels and organs tone
• Digestion of proteins and fats
• Destroy putrefactive bacteria in both the intestine and mouth
• Get rid of excessive phlegm
• Get rid of parasite infestation
• Stops dysentery
• Cleanse the blood
• Regulate water metabolism; diuretic and cleansing
• Support heart health; promotes normal blood pressure
• Connect our heart and mind

When purchasing lemons it is best to use fresh organic lemons and limes which are unpasteurized making them rich in heat sensitive nutrients such as Vitamin C. Lemon concentrate in a bottle is usually pasteurized, you will still receive the health benefits from the sour flavor, but not the heat sensitive nutrients.

Did you know it is best to eat the rind, pulp and peel? That is where the bioflavonoids are, especially Quercitin known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. Other bioflavonoids are Quercitin, Rutin, Hesperdin, Citrin and Naringin.

Fruits and vegetables rich in bioflavonoids are:  oranges, grape fruit, tomato, broccoli and onions. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses lemon and orange peel in many formulas for their powerful therapeutic properties.

Fresh lemon juice, rind and fresh or dried peel are known to:

• Stop – nose bleeds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, varicose veins (astringent)
• Increase circulation
• Encourage weight loss
• Improve absorption of minerals
• Balance water metabolism
• Help cool us down during the heat of summer
• Calms and nourishes the nerves
• Help a sore throat
• Alleviates cramps
• Regulates blood sugar; diabetes, hypoglycemia

Caution: Do not use of too much citrus fruit if you suffer from:

• Insufficient Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) secretion. To help increase HCL production use bitter foods and herbs
• Ulcers
• If on blood thinners
• If you are blood deficient; pale skin and/or tongue, thin and have insomnia

Lemon and Lime Externally

• Help with sores by applying the juice of lemon onto the sore
• Stops itching from insect bites by applying juice or an essential oil of lemon onto the bite
• Will soften and reduce corns on feet, by applying a poultice of lemon juice or applying an essential oil of lemon daily.

Lemon Balm herb Melissa officinalis is not part of the lemon tree family, but when combined with lemons it is known to:

• Stimulate the immune system
• Sooth and heal feverish aliments, such as cold and influenza
• Help with headaches
• Help with respiratory inflammation

Constituents of Lemons and Limes