French: Citron; Spanish: Limon, limon agrio.
Description: The lemon is the aggregate fruit of the lemon tree ('Citrus Limon' Burm.), a spiny evergreen of the botanical family Rutaceae that reaches 3 to 6 meters in height.
PROPERTIES AND INDICATIONS: Vitamin C stands out in the lemon's composition, only slightly less than the orange. Lemons have virtually no proteins or fats and about 8.23% carbohydrates.
However, the most interesting components of lemons from a dietary and therapeutic standpoint are not its nutrients, but rather its socalled accompanying substances or PHYTOCHEMICALS. These are substances that lack any calories, and they are neither vitamins nor mineral salts, so they cannot be qualified as nutrients.
-Organic acids (between 6 and 8%), among which citric acid is predominant, followed by lesser amounts of malic acid, acetic acid, and formic acid. These acids potentiate the action of ascorbic acid or vitamin C, and have a significant antiseptic effect.
-Flavonoids, among which hesperidin and diosmin predominate. These are found in the peel and pulp of the lemon. They perform physiological roles: Antioxidants, Protecting the capillaries and Anticarcinogens.
-Terpenes: These are the substances that give citrus fruits their unique aroma. They are found primarily in the peel. The most abundant of these is d-limonene with its proven detoxifying and anticarcinogenic effects.
Although the lemon affects the entire body, its clinical applications derive particularly from its effect on the blood:
(1)Anti-anemic: It improves iron absorption.
(2)Improves blood fluidity, thus preventing thrombosis.
(3)Depurant, facilitating the elimination of toxins from the blood.
For these reasons, lemons are specifically recommended in the following cases:
-Anemia: Lemons should form a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from anemia. Although its iron content is very low, it is very potent anti-anemic since it increases the absorption of iron supplied in other plant-based foods.
-Circulatory disorders: Hesperidin and the other flavonoids found in lemons strengthen the capillary walls, improve the elasticity of arteries and reduce the blood's tendency to excessive clotting.
Lemon use is highly recommended in case of arteriosclerosis, tendency to thrombosis, edema (retention of fluid in the tissues), and whenever there is a need to improve blood fluidity and circulation.
-Excess uric acid: the lemon is highly effective in eliminating uric acid, which is a waste product generated constantly within the body and must be eliminated in the urine. Excess uric acid is deposited in the joints causing arthritis and rheumatic pain. It produces nephritis (inflammation)in the kidneys.
-Kidney stones: Lemon treatment is very effective in helping dissolve kidney stones, perticularly when these are formed of uric acid salts (urates).
-Infections: Because of their vitamin C and phytochemical content, lemons improve the body's immune system's ability to resist infections. Lemon use is appropriate for all types of infectious disease, whether viral or bacterial.
-Anticarcinogen: D-limonene, an aromatic terpene found in the lemon, particularly in the PEEL, has been shown capable of neutralizing certain carcinogens.
PREPERATION AND USE
(1)Fresh juice: Because of their high acidity, lemons are not usually eaten as fruit; only their juice is consumed. It is important to include the peel (if it is pesticide-free) because many of the aromatic terpenes, which have great medicinal value, are concentrated in it.
(2)Dressing and seasoning for various dishes: Lemon juice improves the flavor, digestibility, and properties of all green leafy vegatables, rice, and legumes.
(3)Lemon treatment: This treatment is conducted over a two-week period. The first day one drinks the juice of one lemon diluted in water one-half hour before breakfast. On consequent days one lemon is added everyday up to seven lemons. From that point the order is reversed back down to one lemon on the last day.
Children, the elderly, those with low calcium, renal failure or anemia should not use this lemon treatment. Large amounts of lemon are not recommended in these conditions.
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