Side Effects :Though Lemon has many advantages ,it also has some side effects and allergies too.
Tooth Decay :Because of its high citric acid content, lemon juice can cause tooth enamel to decay. Canned lemon juice was found to cause erosion in tooth enamel. This led to stained teeth, a loss of dental tissue and, in some cases, cavities. To reduce the risk of enamel decay from lemon juice, do not drink the juice straight on its own; mix it with other foods and liquids. Proper and regular dental care will keep the acid from wearing away at your teeth.
GERD and Ulcers :GERD is also known as gastroesphageal reflux disorder, symptoms of which are heartburn, nausea and vomiting. GERD symptoms are triggered by fatty, spicy or acidic foods, of which lemon juice is one. Lemon juice can exacerbate GERD symptoms as the acid content can irritate the esophageal lining. If you have ulcers, the increased acid content can also irritate the stomach lining and stop the ulcer from healing properly.
Skin allergies:Lemon juice applied on your skin can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.Hence there is a chance of skin allergies.
Anti-dandruff : Lemon is used as anti-dandruff agent for hair to remove dandruff from hair.
Hair Lightener : Score dye-free DIY highlights with lemon juice. Apply it before you expose your hair to sunlight to score a sun-kissed colour. The lemon juice can also help treat a dry scalp and dandruff, so apply it liberally.
Lip exfoliator : Put a little lemon juice on your lips before bedtime, and wash it off in the morning to help remove dead skin cells and dried skin. One caveat: "Obviously, if you already have severely chapped lips that have any cuts, do not try this.
Sweat relief :Lemon with 1/4 spoon of salt and sugar, every day ; is very healthy for glow and healthy skin.
Nail strengthener : Make a mixture of your favourite cooking oil (try olive oil) with lemon juice, and soak your nails. This is a good practice if your nails are dry and brittle, but it's also a great way to help fix nails that have yellowed.
Body care :Lemon is great for reducing excess oil.Lemon is dried and powered and can be used as bath powder .
Skin brightener : Lemons are rich in vitamin C and citric acid, so they can help brighten and lighten your skin when used over time. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant for neutralizing free radicals and boosting collagen production.That means it can help lighten age spots, dark spots, or a fake tan gone wrong. Remember to wear SPF when using lemon juice on your skin, though, since the citrus fruit can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
Clarifying moisturiser :Mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. The coconut will hydrate your skin, and lemon will clear and brighten it.
Elbow and knee bleacher :If your elbows and knees appear dark, simply rub them with half of a lemon."It's like magic!"
Blackhead treatment :It may sound too good to be true, but because lemons are antibacterial, they can help treat acne. Just slice a lemon, and squeeze the juice on your face. Your blackheads will start to fade before you know it.
Cleansing wipes :Mix a couple drops of lemon and tea tree essential oil in about 6 ounces of distilled water. It as a toner or for use with cotton pads as a cleansing wipe for problematic skin.
Teeth whitener : Mix baking soda and lemon juice, and apply it to your teeth with a clean Q-tip. Then, use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and rinse. It's way cheaper than going to your dentist's office
Canker sore treatment :Use a few drops of the lemon essential oil on your canker sores to help them heal faster.
Alkalising :Lemons are acidic to begin with but they are alkaline-forming on body fluids helping to restore balance to the body's pH.
Acids in Lemon :The citric acid in lemon juice helps to dissolve gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones.
Anti-cancer compounds :Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including naturally occurring limonene; oil which slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals and flavonol glycosides which stop cell division in cancer cells.
Strengthens Blood vessels :Blood vessels are strengthened by the vitamin P (bioflavinoids) in lemon thus prevents internal hemorrhage. Also, making it useful in treating high blood pressure.
Rich in vitamin C :Lemons are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids that work against infections like the flu and cold.Vitamin C in lemons helps to neutralize free radicals linked to ageing and most types of disease.
Lemon water :Lemon water extracts body wastes,bad odour and sweat.
Fights eye-disorders :The symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy have been shown in research to improve due to the rutin, found in lemons.
Eradication of Brain diseases :The lemon peel contains the potent phytonutrient tangeretin, which has been proven to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Lemon in Ayurveda :Ayurveda medicine values the lemon as a fruit and for its properties. It is sour, warm, promoter of gastric fire, light, good for vision, pungent and astringent.It destroys intestinal worms.
Liver loves lemons :Lemon is a wonderful stimulant to the liver and is a dis-solvent of uric acid and other poisons, liquefies the bile. Fresh lemon juice added to a large glass of water in the morning is a great liver detoxify.
Antibacterial properties :Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties; experiments have found the juice of lemons destroy the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases.
Anionic :Lemon is the ONLY food in the world that is anionic (an ion with a negative charge). All other foods are cationic (the ion has a positive charge.) This makes it extremely useful to health as it is the interaction between anions and cations that ultimately provides all cell energy.
Cleans your bowels :Lemons increase peristalsis in the bowels, helping to create a bowel movement thus eliminating waste and helping with regularity. Add the juice of one lemon to warm water and drink first thing in the morning.
Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) ,vitamin-A and B-complex vitamins such as pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and folates. It also has other flavanoid anti-oxidants such as α, and ß-carotenes, ß-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties.
Minerals
Healthy amount of minerals like iron, copper, potassium, and calcium are available in Lemon.
Selection :Avoid dark-green colored as they are immature and would not be as much juicy. Also, avoid those with dark spots, overtly soft or spongy as they tend to perish early.
Storage :At home, store them in plastic pouch and place inside the refrigerator where they keep well for up to a week. Store freshly squeezed lemon juice inside the freezer compartment for later use. Store dried zest in a cool, dry place in an air-tight glass container away from moisture.
About the Vegetable :Lemon is one of the most widely used citrus fruits worldwide. Lime is a close relative, comparatively smaller in size and possesses thinner skin. The juice of the lemon is about 5% to 6% citric acid, which gives lemons a sour taste. The distinctive sour taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods such as lemonade.
Scientific / Binomial name : Citrus limon
Popularly Known as :Lemon, Neemboo, Nimmakaya, Nimbannu
Usage :Lemon is used in many forms as below.
Lemon slices/wedges are used to garnish salads.
Besides from their common usage as flavouring base in beverages or lemonade, they can also be used in confectionaries like pies, cakes, pastry dough, and marinades.
Its juice can be stored frozen for later use.
The outermost part of the rind grated using zester to produce lemon zest, which also have many culinary values for its flavor rich oil glands.
Iced lemon tea is a refreshing drink.
The distinctive sour taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods such as lemonade.
Dried preserved lemons are being employed as condiment in Persian cuisine.
Culinary Used Areas :A common vegetable for all places. Lime pickles are favorite side dishes in Middle East, India, Morocco, etc.