9 Ways You Can Use Lemons in Your Health and Beauty Routine
If you think that lemons are only good for lemon pies and refreshing drinks, then this article will make you think again. Delicious citrus can be far more useful than you could imagine. Bright yellow fruits have a lot of health and beauty benefits, ranging from cancer defense to acne scar treatment. What’s not to like about lemons — they’re available, cheap and good for your health.
Bright Side has gathered 9 different ways you can use lemons for natural skincare and beauty treatments thanks to its various health benefits.
1. Lemons have a lot of anti-cancer properties.
Just like many other fresh fruits, lemons have a lot of anti-cancer properties. The most recent study, conducted in June 2017, highlights the importance of citrus juices and their extracts in the prevention of cancer as well as their possible use in modern oncological therapies. Packed with vitamins, lemon juice protects your cells from damage that can lead to fatal illnesses.
Lemons have a lot of valuable nutrients like vitamin C, iron, and fiber. The D-limonene in the lemon peel has anti-cancerous properties as well. It has been shown to prevent mammary, liver, lung, and other cancers. Therefore, lemons are excellent cancer fighters that can protect your body naturally and effectively.
2. Remove wrinkles naturally with lemon.
You can’t reverse the process of aging, but you can use lemons to make your wrinkles less visible and dramatically change the quality of your facial skin. According to a study, lemon oil was found to reduce oxidative damage on the skin’s surface. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which encourages collagen production and restores skin elasticity. Natural enzymes in lemon juice shrink large pores and tighten the skin.
You can rely on this safe and healthy home remedy to combat wrinkles: Slice a lemon and massage it into any wrinkles for a few minutes or use grated lemon peel as a face mask. According to specialists, the effects of regular anti-aging skincare routines are visible after 1-3 months. So don’t worry if your face isn’t baby-smooth after one week.
3. Drink lemon water to lose weight.
Vitamin C is a nutrient that’s been proved to lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers hunger and fat storage. No single food or beverage will bring about a significant amount of weight loss on its own. However, you can eat certain foods or drink beverages that might be useful for improving weight loss results when consumed as part of a healthy weight-loss program.
Besides, if you drink water infused with lemon instead of a drink that is higher in calories like coffee with sugar or fruit juice, you’ll consume fewer calories. While a 330 ml can of Coca-Cola has 139 calories, and there are 49 calories in apple juice per 100 ml, a serving of lemon juice mixed with water has 0.4 calories. Therefore, it can help you fill your belly with something less calorie-rich.
4. Lemon juice for liver detox
Drinking lemon water is a great way to start a simple detox of your body and improve the work of your digestive system. The pectin in the lemon helps you get rid of toxins in your body and stimulates your bowel movements.
Here’s a simple yet effective drink that you can make at home:
- 1 whole organic lemon, well-scrubbed to remove any wax or residue
- ½ cup filtered water
- 1-3 teaspoons cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 heaped teaspoon lecithin (egg-based)
- 1 capsule of vitamin E (whole into the blender)
- 1 knob of fresh ginger (approximately golf ball size)
Mix all the ingredients and blend for 30-45 seconds. Keep the drink in the fridge and make sure to drink it within the next day. For the best results, drink half of the mix before breakfast. It’s an amazing brew!
5. Use lemons to treat throat infections.
Lemons are rich in essential vitamins and minerals that help increase your energy levels. Lemons are also high in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that enhances the immune system and has antibacterial properties.
Honey, warm water, and lemon together are a time-proven solution for treating a sore throat. Honey coats the throat while the lemon reduces mucus. You’ll need to boil water to make the beverage hot, add lemons that have been cut into pieces, and add honey. Let the drink cool to a temperature that is pleasant to drink.
6. They boost brain function and reduce stress.
Among other nutrients and vitamins, lemons also contain a lot of potassium, which is one of the key elements responsible for better brain function. If you consume lemons on a regular basis, you’ll feel your mental performance improve and your midday brain fog dissipate. You’ll also feel much happier and more energetic during the day. According to a study, potassium can activate neurons involved in positive thoughts and feelings and plays an important role in serotonin regulation.
7. Lemon juice can ease the agony of a sunburn.
Sunburns are never pretty, and they feel awful. However, there’s a simple yet effective home remedy that can help you reduce redness and ease the agony. You’ll need to mix equal amounts of lemon juice, rosewater, and glycerin. Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it overnight, then rinse the next morning with cold water.
Lemons are natural bleaching agents that will reduce the redness of the skin. The vitamin C in lemons minimizes the damage to the skin and lightens dark spots. Make sure you won’t be exposed to direct sunlight after using this remedy, as it can increase your sensitivity to the sun’s rays.
8. Lemon juice can be used to assist with nosebleeds.
The nose’s lining contains various tiny blood vessels that tend to bleed quite easily if ruptured. Don’t throw your head back when you have a nosebleed, but instead, keep it in a neutral position while pinching your nose. Lemon juice can be an effective home remedy for this. You’ll need to pour a few drops of fresh lemon juice on a tissue stick it between your gums and upper lip in the area right under your nose. You will then need to leave it there for 5-10 minutes.
9. Lemons are good for fading acne scars.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and citric acid, and they do a good job of treating minor acne and acne scars. Vitamin C boosts the production of collagen and keeps the skin smooth and firm — it also encourages the formation of new skin cells. Due to its properties as a natural bleaching agent, lemon juice lightens dark marks and scars. Citric acid cleanses skin cells and washes off impurities. The antibacterial effect of lemon juice kills the bacteria that cause acne flare-ups.
For a nice homemade mask, you can apply a few drops of lemon on the affected areas and then apply yogurt all over your face. Leave it for 15 minutes, and then wash it off. You can also dab fresh lemon on your acne scars or pimples and wash it off after 5-10 minutes.
Do you know any useful tips about lemons that can improve one’s health and beauty? Share them with us in the comments.