Lemon benefits. Medicinal properties

Scientific name: Citrus limon (L.)

Burm fBotanical family: Rutaceae

The lemon is a small tree with irregular branches armed with thick spines, stiff and sharp. Leaves of 5 to 7.5 cm long. White flowers 2 cm long. Fruit round from 3 to 6 cm, greenish yellow, with plenty of acid pulp, small white seeds shaped oval.

Lemon is originally from India and was brought to America by Columbus from his second voyage.

Lemon juice is used in topical application for healing wounds, herpes and other skin conditions.

The boiled lemonade is used against colds and as sweat increaser. The lemon juice in water is used against dyspepsia alkaline and pure juice against catarrhal angina.

The compress of juice applied to the upper stomach stops the vomiting. It´s also used against chronic obstructions of liver and spleen.

Methods of preparation: Boil for 5 minutes 5-12 g of fresh lemon leaves or the bark of fruit. Drinking 300-500 ml per day divided in 2-3 doses. The same decoction is applied topically to the affected parts 2-3 times a day.

Lemon seeds boiled in cow milk have vermicide effect. The fruit is used in cooking and soft drinks. For stabilizing the blood pressure must be taken the juice of 2 lemons in a glass of water, 2 or 3 times a day.

The essential oil or those parts of lemon plant that contain it, can cause dermatitis. Do not expose to sun the body parts treated with products of this plant. Topically not be used for more than 3 weeks.