Lemon

Lemons are an amazing and versatile fruit with a deliciously clean, sharp, fresh fragrance. Rich in vitamin C, lemons have abundant culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic uses in and around the home. The essential oil, which is expressed from the rind of the lemon, is used widely by the food and perfume industry. It blends well with benzoin, chamomile, eucalyptus, frankincense, grapefruit, lavender, orange, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang.

Uses: Herb, Essential Oil
A drink made from a whole pulped lemon – peel, pith, and juice – is particularly beneficial if you have a cold threatening or have a fever. Make it fresh – it becomes bitter on standing.

Lemon juice on its own is used to treat rheumatism, and to reduce the size of kidney stones and gallstones. Juice held in the mouth will stop the bleeding from gums and sockets.

Cosmetically, lemon juice is used diluted as an astringent for oily skin and as a bleach for discolored skin. It is also used a s a rinse to balance oily hair or to highlight fair hair.

All creams and lotions containing 0.5-1 percent lemon oil may help to smooth skin and contract and tone tissue, and because of the milk bleaching action, can be used to treat oily, dull skin. It is successful in removing warts, and soothes and prevents infection when used on insect bites and stings.

Lemon is valuable oil in the treatment of sore throats, bronchitis, coughs, throat infections, colds, and influenza. It eases indigestion, expels gas from the intestines, and purifies the blood.

Caution: Avoid using on skin that will be exposed to sunlight. Patch test- may cause irritation on sensitive skin.