The lemon, Citrus limon is an evergreen tree belonging to family Rutaceae. Lemon is a citrus fruit known worldwide for its sour flavour with health benefits. It is also used as a versatile ingredient in beauty recipes as well as for home cleaning. Here are some of its benefits and some easy ways and recipe to use this ever-present kitchen ingredient to its fullest.
Nutritional Value of Lemon
Nutritional value of lemon per 100 gram:
| Principle | Amount |
| Energy | 29Kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 9.32 gram |
| Protein | 1.10 gram |
| Fat | 0.30 gram |
| Vitamin C | 53 milligram |
| Dietary fiber | 2.80 gram |
Benefits of Lemon for Skin
1. Lemon for Treating Blackheads
Lemon juice works great in removing blackheads. Applying it two to three times a day significantly reduces blackheads. Just apply lemon juice on blackheads either with your finger tips or a cotton ball. Rinse if off after 10-15 minutes. You can also leave it overnight for better results. If you have a dry skin, add some olive oil to lemon juice before applying it on face and never forget to use a moisturizer after rinsing the face. Also, adding salt to lemon juice for blackheads works really efficient and you can easily observe the result in few days.
2. Lemon for removing acne
Lemon is well known for its effects on pimples. It can be easily used at home to get rid of acne and pimples. Drying effects of citric acid reduces excessive sebum from skin and antiseptic properties kills the bacteria that cause acne. It also lowers the redness and inflammation of the skin.
But how to apply lemon on face? It’s easy.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon in a bowl.
- Apply the juice on acne and pimple using a cotton swab.
- Leave it on for ten minutes and then wash the face with lukewarm water.
Repeat this twice a day until you get full relief from acne.
3. Lemon for A Glowing Skin
Lemon can do way more than treating the blackhead and acne. Lemon face mask can be easily prepared at home to get a glowing skin. You can make an easy face mask by using lemon, turmeric powder and tomato juice in no time.
- Add three tablespoon of lemon juice, one teaspoon tomato juice and a pinch of turmeric powder in a bowl.
- Mix them well to attain a paste.
- Apply it on face and rinse it off after an hour.
The properties of lemon along with those of turmeric and tomato will help you to get a glowing and healthy face.
4. Lemon as An Exfoliator
Lemon exfoliator, easy to prepare at home is of great significance.
You only need one lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 5 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon honey.
- Squeeze the juice of lemon and add all the ingredients well to obtain a paste.
- Wash your face and apply the mixture with your fingertips in a circular motion and leave on for few minutes until it becomes dry.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
It removes dry and dead cells presenting a fresh skin.
5. Lemon as A Moisturizer
- Add 4 tablespoon coconut oil and juice of one lemon in a bowl.
- Whisk them well to attain a light and fluffy mixture. And your moisturizer is ready.
- Apply this moisturizer after washing your face.
Filled with vitamin C, lemon act as a great moisturizer and helps you to get a smooth and beautiful skin.
6. Lemon as A Toner
Lemon is a well-known toner which brightens the skin tone and also clears the skin. All you need if ½ Cup lemon juice and ½ cup rose water.
- Mix rose water and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture on your face twice a day.
Lemon along with rose water will give you wonderful results.
7. Lemon in Lightening Dark Spots
- Squeeze juice of one lemon in a bowl.
- Apply the juice on you your dark spots with a cotton ball.
- Rinse the face after 15 minutes when it gets dry.
Use this remedy two times a day and you can see the result in few weeks. Acid present in lemon helps in lightening the dark spots and also clears the face.
8. Lemon Helps in Bleaching Elbow And Knee
Known for vitamin C, lemon bleaches dark elbows and knees and makes them smooth and beautiful, removing the dark color of skin.
- Cut the lemon in two equal halves and rub the lemon on knees and elbows.
- Use this remedy regularly for a week.
You will observe the lightening of dark patches and beautiful bright skin. You can also mix baking soda to lemon before applying it for better results as baking soda is also a natural bleacher.
9. Lemon as A Lip Exfoliator
Apply a little lemon on your lips before going to bed and wash it off in the morning. It will remove dead and dry cells making your lips pink and healthy. Do not try this if you have cuts on your lips.
10. Lemon as A Nail Strengthened
Make a mixture of olive with lemon juice and soak your nails in it. It is very helpful when you have dry and brittle nail and is also very beneficial in fixing yellow nails.
Benefits of Lemon for Hair
Along with skin benefits, lemon have various benefits effects on hair too.
1. Lemon for Hair Growth
Vitamin C present in lemon helps in boosting hair growth by increasing production of collagen. Just apply lemon juice on hair and scalp and massage it for few minutes. Then wash it with a mild shampoo. Apply this once a week and you will see how easily it influences your hair growth.
2. Lemon for Reducing Hair Fall
Combine equal parts of Coconut water and lemon juice in a bowl. Massage it on your hair and leave it for 20 minutes to dry. Wash it with a mild shampoo.
Apply it once a week and it will help you to strengthen your follicles reducing hair fall.
3. Lemon Maintains Scalp Health
Lemon acts as a scalp exfoliator, clearing all the dead and dry cells.
Just mix lemon and vinegar in equal ratio and apply the mixture on the scalp, massaging it for few minutes. Then rinse it off with a mid shampoo.
4. Lemon as A Moisturising Hair Mask
One can easily prepare a hair mask at home with lemon. Mix 1 egg, 1 tablespoon olive oil and juice of one lemon to prepare the mask. Apply it on hair and scalp and rinse it off with water after it becomes dry.
5. Repairs Damaged Hair
Mix 2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon castor oil and 4-5 drops of lemon essential in a bowl and heat the mixture until it gets warm. Massage hair and scalp for 15 minutes with the mixture and leave it to dry for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Apply this 2-3 times a week and it will help to repair damage and boosting hair growth.
6. Lemon Treats Oily Scalp
Add equal amount of lemon juice and vinegar in a bowl. Apply it on your hair and it will remove clogged follicles and provide relief from oily scalp. Citric acid in lemon helps in removing excess oil from the scalp.
7. Lemon and Honey Hair Mask
Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoon olive oil and 3-4 drops of rosemary essential oil to get a consistent mixture. Apply this mask all over your hair and rinse it off after 20 minutes. It keeps the hair scalp healthy and makes the hair smooth and long.
8. Anti-Dandruff Treatment with Lemon
Squeeze juice of one lemon and massage hair and scalp with it. Leave it for 10 minutes to dry and then wash it off with a mild shampoo. Antifungal properties of lemon fights dandruff and other scalp infections.
9. Lemon for Split Ends
Mix equal amount of olive oil and lemon juice. Apply the mixture on your hair. Do this once a month to get rid of split ends.
10. Lemon in Treating Itchy Scalp
Add lemon juice to your regular shampoo or conditioner and massage it for 10 minutes before rinsing it with cold water. Using it regularly will relieve you from itchy scalp.
Benefits of Nimbu or Lemon for Health
1. Benefits of Lemon For Weight Loss
Want to lose weight? Lemon water is a helpful remedy for you. Just drink warm lemon water everyday in the morning. It will improve your metabolism and helps in losing weight with a good sour taste. Loss of weight is also a benefit of drinking lemon tea early in the morning as it also helps to lose weight.
2. Maintains Ph Balance
Although lemon is acidic, once it is digested it makes our pH level more alkaline to prevent serious diseases which can occur through acidic medium.
3. Benefits of Nimbu Pani Or Lemon Juice During Pregnancy
Lemon juice helps in relieving morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy.
Lemon also contains high amount of vitamins and various minerals such as magnesium, calcium, folate, riboflavin and more which are considered highly beneficial for health during pregnancy.
4. Lemon Juice Promotes Hydration
Benefits of lemon water includes hydration. Consuming lemon water is highly beneficial for hydrating the body and also ensures a good taste to mouth. It is also rich in various nutrients that keeps us healthy.
5. Lemon Aids Digestion
Consuming lemon juice regularly keeps digestive system moving and boosts metabolism. It helps in easy digestion of food and also removes some of the toxins.
6. Supports Heart Health
Researches have shown that eating food with vitamin C reduces risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, fiber and other plant compounds in lemon helps in lowering risks of heart diseases and also reduces cholesterol level.
7. It Freshens Breath
Lemon removes bad breath caused due to eating onion, garlic or fish. Drinking lemon after your meal helps in combating the bad breath and also stimulated saliva and prevents a dry mouth that can produce bacteria causing bad breath.
8. Lemon Helps in Reducing Inflammation
When lemon is digested in the body, its alkaline properties helps in decreasing uric acid accumulated in the joints where inflammation is present. The anti-inflammatory effect of lemon is all because of the presence of ascorbic acid.
9. Prevent Kidney Stone
Citric acid present in lemon helps in getting rid of kidney stones. Citrate present in citric acid makes urine less acidic and can even break some of the stones.
10. Lemon Reduces Cancer Risks
Some studies have shown that people consuming citrus fruits have less chances of cancers. Some compounds in lemon reduces the chances of cancer according to few researchers. However, further study is necessary to derive a proper conclusion.
11. Lemon Prevents Asthma
The risks of asthma is lower in the people who consume certain nutrients including vitamin C regularly. Vitamin C is important for patients of asthma, bronchial infections and nasal congestion.
12. Protects Against Anaemia
Lemon itself contains some iron, but citric acid and Vitamin C present in lemon increases the absorption of iron from plant products which helps in preventing anaemia.
13. Acts as A Powerful Detox
Lemon act as a great detoxifying agent for liver and kidney. It cleans all the toxins and infection causing bacteria from the body.
14. Treats Internal Bleeding
Antiseptic and coagulant properties of lemon stops internal bleeding.
Placing lemon soaked cotton ball inside the nose can also stop nose bleeding.
15. Lemon Treatment for Relaxing Feet
Aromatic and antiseptic properties of lemon can be used easily for the foot.
Add some lemon juice to water and dip your foot into the mixture, it will provide instant relief to foot and will help in muscle relaxation.
16. Lemon Boosts Immunity
Drinking lemon water is highly beneficial as it boosts up immunity and also works great in relieving sore throat. Various nutrients in lemon such as citric acid, calcium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin and more possess antibacterial and antiviral properties that fight against infections and promotes a healthy immune system.
17. Prevents Throat Infections
With the presence of antibacterial properties, lemon acts as a great remedy for throat infections. It reduces swelling of throat and also makes environment acidic for bacteria and viruses.
18. Lemon Helps in Treating Rheumatism
Diuretic properties of lemon helps in treating rheumatism and arthritis. Consuming lemon regularly removes toxins and bacteria from the body.
19. Helps in Treating Fever
By increasing perspiration, lemon treats cold and flu and relieves from fever.
20. It Helps in Reducing Corns
Lemon can be easily applied on the area where skin has hardened up like souls of feet and palm of your hands as it reduces lumps. Drinking lemon water can also reduce gallstones.
Also read:
Lemon Essential Oil – Uses, Benefits & more
8 Benefits of Lemon Oil (Infographic)
