The top benefits, nutritional values, Uses and storage of Lemon

The top benefits, nutritional values, Uses and storage of Lemon

Lemon has a sour flavor that’s why it is not consumed alone. It is a popular food which is used in small quantities. The early explorers took lemons first on their long voyages to help prevent or treat scurvy, a serious condition that results from a vitamin C deficiency. In 1747, James Lind found that lemons and oranges were extremely effective at treating the disease, which was common among sailors.

Lemon is also called nimbo in hindi.

They give flavor to many sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks, and desserts, and they are also a good source of vitamin C.

Lemon has many health benefits. It helps improve the kin quality, encourages weight loss, improves digestion, and acts as a breath freshener. Lemons also help with the treatment of constipation, dental problems, throat infections, fever, burns, respiratory disorders, and high blood pressure, while also benefiting your hair. Known for its therapeutic property through the generations, lemon also helps to strengthen your immune system.

Lowering stroke risk

Lemon reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure

Lemon reduces high blood pressure.

Cancer prevention

Lemon contains antioxidants and vitamin C which prevents the formation of free radicals and reduces the risk of cancer.

Maintaining a healthy complexion

Lemon reduces wrinkles, improve skin texture, protects the skin from the damage caused by the sun and pollution and skin health.

Preventing asthma

Lemon reduces the risk of asthma.

Weight loss

Lemon peels contains lemon phenols which helps in reducing weight.

Improves Heart Health

Lemon contains vitamin C and potassium which  controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea as it provides a calming sensation to both, the mind and body.  It also prevents the risk of heart diseases.

Prevents Kidney Stones

Lemon contains citric acid which is more than  grapefruit juice and orange juice concentrate.

It is used as a therapy  for treatment of hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis (urinary stones formed due to low citrate consumption).  Lemon also prevents the formation of kidney stones.

Treats Indigestion

Lemon is used to treat indigestion, constipation and maintains digestive health.  It acts as a blood purifier and a cleansing agent.

Reduces Fever

Lemon juice can assist in treating a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever. It helps break fevers by increasing perspiration.

Relieves Burns

Using lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and since it is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin while you have an irritating burn.

Soothes Respiratory Disorders

Lemon juice assists in relieving respiratory problems and breathing problems, such as its ability to soothe a person suffering from an asthma attack. Being a rich source of vitamin C, it helps in dealing with more long-term respiratory disorders as well.

Throat Infections

Lemon is an excellent fruit that fights problems related to throat infections, due to its well-known antibacterial properties.

It can be consumed at any time of day.

Lemons pair well with both savory and sweet dishes. They are often used with fish, shrimp, scallops, chicken, and in many Mediterranean dishes, as well as desserts.

How to buy and store lemon

Lemons should be picked at their peak ripeness because, unlike many other fruits, they do not ripen or improve in quality after being picked.

They should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

Uses of lemon

Garbage disposal

Freeze lemon slices and vinegar in ice cube trays. Place a few frozen cubes down your disposal for cleaning and freshening.

Refrigerator

Soak a sponge in lemon juice and let it sit in your fridge for a few hours; it works better than baking soda to remove odors.

Room freshener

Simmer a pot of water and add lemon peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

Humidifier

 Add lemon juice to the water in your humidifier, then let the machine run for deodorizing.

Breath

Drinking lemon water helps freshen your breath (rinse your mouth with plain water afterward since lemon juice may erode your teeth).

Stops Minor Bleeding

Apply lemon juice to a small cotton ball and place it inside your nose to stop nosebleeds.

Hands

Add lemon juice while washing your hands with soap to help remove stubborn odors like garlic.

Skin Care

Drinking its juice mixed with water and honey brings a healthy glow to the skin.

Foot Relaxation

 Add some of its juice to warm water and dip your feet into the mixture for instant relief and muscle relaxation.

Reduces Corns

Lemon juice can help dissolve lumps on the skin, so it can be applied to the areas where the skin has hardened up, like the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. Drinking it with water can help patients reduce gallstones for the same reasons.

Furniture polish

 Combine lemon oil, lemon juice, and olive or jojoba oil to make a homemade furniture polish. Simply buff with a cloth.

Microwave

While I don’t recommend microwave cooking, I realize many people use one. If you caked on food, microwave a bowl of water, lemon juice, and lemon slices for three minutes. The food will wipe right off.

Hair Care

Lemon juice has proven itself useful in the treatment of hair care on a wide scale. When applied to the scalp, the juice can treat problems like dandruff, hair loss and other problems related to the hair and scalp. If you apply this juice directly to the hair, it can give your hair a natural shine as well.

Age spots and freckles

 Apply lemon juice with a cotton swab to help fade age spots and freckles.

Brightening moisturizer

 A few drops of lemon juice mixed with coconut oil and applied as a moisturizer will help to hydrate and brighten your skin.

Whiten nails

 Soak your nails in a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil. While the lemon juice brightens your nails, the olive oil will help strengthen them.

Dandruff

 Massage two tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp then rinse with lemon water. Repeat as necessary until dandruff resolves.

Acne

 Lemon juice, a natural astringent, can help fight acne when applied to your face twice a day. Let it sit for 10 minutes each time, then rinse with cool water.

Exfoliator

A combination of lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, and honey makes a nourishing exfoliating scrub for your face and body.

Cold and flu

Squeezing a whole lemon into a glass of hot water with a large spoonful of honey makes a soothing drink for someone a cough or cold.

Ways to use lemon

They are used in sauces or as an accompaniment to fish and poultry. Sauces and foods containing lemon juice help in the digestion of fried foods. Lemons are also used in baked goods and desserts to provide a light, fresh flavor. They are also used as a garnish, in the form of a slice or wedge added to the plate.

Season in which lemon is available

Lemon is available in the all year round

How to make lemon pickle

Ingredients

700 grams Lemons, approx 700 grams

Water, to cover the Limes by 1 inch

Salt, to taste

Ingredients for the Pickle Masala

15 cloves Garlic, finely chopped

50 grams Ginger, finely chopped

4 sprig Curry leaves

1 teaspoon Mustard seeds

1 teaspoon Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds)

1 tablespoon Red chilli powder

1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)

1/2 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)

1/2 cup Sesame (Gingelly) Oil

1/2 cup Vinegar

Salt, to taste

1 tablespoon Jaggery

Directions for Spicy Lime Pickle Recipe (Naranga Achar)

To begin making the Spicy Lime Pickle Recipe, in a large saucepan; bring to boil the whole limes with water and salt. Reduce to medium flame and and simmer for 20 minutes until the lemons are soft. Drain the liquids and allow the lemons to cool. Once cooled cut into small bits

In a small bowl, combine the chilli and turmeric powder in a small amount of water to make a paste and keep aside. By mixing masala powder in water, it prevents the powders from burning as soon as they hit the hot pan.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan on low heat; add in the mustard seeds and allow it to crackle. Then add in the fenugreek seeds and curry leaves and stir for about a minute.

Stir in the chopped ginger and garlic and sauté for about 10 minutes on medium flame. Add in the powder paste and stir for 4 minutes. Next add in the chopped lemons and stir well, check for salt and adjust to taste. Finally add in the jaggery and turn off the heat. Stir all the ingredients until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool.

In a separate pan, add in the vinegar and bring it to a boil. Once cooled stir it into the Spicy Lime Pickle mixture. Transfer to a glass jar and store. You can serve Spicy Lime Pickle Recipe (Naranga Achar) with Cabbage Paneer Parathas Recipe and curd. You can also serve it with steamed rice, Vendakkai Vengaya Sambar Recipe (Okra in Tangy Lentil Curry) and Elai Vadam Recipe (A Traditional South Indian Rice Papad

How to make lemon rice

Ingredients:

2½ cups Steamed Rice (or 3/4 cup raw rice)

2 tablespoons Oil

3 tablespoons Peanuts (ground nuts)

6-8 Cashew Nuts (kaju), optional

A pinch of Asafoetida (hing)

1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds

1 teaspoon Urad Dal (split black gram)

1/2 tablespoon Chana Dal

7-8 Curry Leaves

1-2 Dry Red Chillies, broken into pieces

1-2 Green Chillies, cut lengthwise, optional

2 tablespoons finely chopped Coriander Leaves

1/4 teaspoon Turmeric Powder

1½ tablespoons Lemon Juice

Salt to taste

Directions:

Wash and soak 3/4 cup raw rice in water for 15 minutes. Cook it with 1&1/2 cups water in a pressure cooker for 2-whistles over medium flame. Remove the cooker from the flame and let the pressure inside pressure cooker comes down naturally. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Cook the rice 2-3 hours in advance to keep the rice grain separated. You can also use the leftover rice for this recipe.

step-1

Heat 1 tablespoons oil in a non-stick pan over medium flame. Add 3 tablespoons raw peanuts and 6-8 cashew nuts.

step-2

Stir fry them until they turn light golden brown. Transfer them to a plate.

step-3

Add remaining 1-tablespoon oil in the same pan. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds; when they start to crackle, add a pinch of asafoetida, 1 teaspoon urad dal and 1/2 tablespoon chana dal. Saute until they turn light golden brown.

step-4

Add 7-8 curry leaves, 1 dry red chilli and 1 green chilli.

step-5

Saute for 30 seconds. Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder.

step-6

Mix well.

step-7

Add steamed rice.

step-8

Add fried peanuts and cashew nuts, lemon juice and salt.

step-9

Mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the flame. Transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish with coriander leaves.

safety profile

Lemons are high in acid, so their juice may affect people with:

Mouth ulcers: It can cause a stinging sensation

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It can worsen symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation

Fun facts about lemons

  • Lemons are high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant
  • Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen, it may help relieve asthma symptoms, and it may protect against cancer
  • Lemon juice can be used in teas, desserts, and on salads.
  • Lemons are native to Asia
  • Lemons are a hybrid between a sour orange and a citron.
  • Lemons are rich in vitamin C.
  • Lemons trees can produce up to 600 lbs of lemons every year.
  • Lemon trees produce fruit all year round.
  • Lemon zest, grated rinds, is often used in baking.
  • Lemon tree leaves can be used to make tea.
  • The high acidity of lemons make them good cleaning aids.
  • California and Arizona produces most of the United States’ lemon crop.
  • The most common types of lemons are the Meyer, Eureka, and Lisbon lemons.
  • Lemons are technically berries.
  • Historians believe that lemons have been around since first century A.D.
  • It is believed that they cultivated from the Mediterranean.
  • There are three common lemons which are Bearss, Eureka and Lisbon.
  • Lemon trees can produce up to 600 pounds in a year and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
  • California and Arizona produce 95% of the entire lemon crop.
  • Today, the British Navy requires all ships to carry enough lemons so that every sailor can have an ounce of juice a day.
  • An average lemon contains eight seeds.
  • An average lemon holds three tablespoons of juice.
  • The juice of a lemon contains 5% of citric acid.
  • There are roughly fifteen calories in each lemon.
  • Sprinkling the juice on other fruits can prevent them turning brown.
  • Lemon juice and hot water is good for a sore throat as it is antibacterial.
  • Lemons used to be so rare that kings used to present them to each other as gifts.
  • During the California Gold Rush in 1849, miners were willing to pay huge amounts of money for a single lemon.
  • During the Renaissance, ladies used the juice of a lemon to redden their lips.
  • For natural highlights in your hair, apply lemon juice daily, for a week.
  • Wealthy Victorians grew lemons trees in their homes as a sign of prestige and to be a fragrant.
  • In February and March, Menton in the French Riviera celebrates an annual lemon festival.
  • Lemon oil is used in unsealed rosewood fingerboards of stringed instruments.
  • The lemon shark is named for its yellowish skin.
  • They can prevent scurvy.
  • To power a flashlight bulb, you need 500 wired lemons to conduct electricity.
  • The heaviest lemon was 11 pounds, 9.7 ounces in 2003.
  • Lemon was a common unisex name in the 1900’s.

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