You know the old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!”  There may be more truth to that than we realize.  Recently, I was sent some information on the health benefits of lemons.  Those beautiful yellow fruits may be little “cure-alls.”  At least, I may give it a try.  

Of course, we know that lemons are a great source of Vitamin C, which helps fight infection and heal wounds.  They also bolster the immune system with their absorbic acid.  Mix some lemon juice with water and taken regularly in the morning, it serves as a tonic to the liver by stimulating the production of bile in order to digest the day’s food.  Some theories about lemons are that they help dissolve gallstones, relieve symptoms of asthma, tonsillitis, sore throat and act as a diuretic to help clear up urinary tract infections.  Eating lemons are healthier than oranges.  Lemons will clean all your intestines, which oranges don’t. 

It’s always pleasing to drink a glass of fresh lemonade; however, you can eat them raw, and add a little sugar to cut the tartness.  Lemons will damage tooth enamel, so remember whether you drink the juice or eat one, brush teeth afterward to remove juice from your teeth.  From the Institute of Health Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland: Lemon (citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells.  It is stronger than chemotherapy.  Lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease.  It has a pleasant taste.  You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc.  It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors.  Some physicians say it is very useful in all variants of cancer.  Other health claims about lemons are that they are effective against internal parasites, regulate high blood pressure and even serve as an antidepressant, combating stress and nervous disorders.  The source of this information comes, ironically,  from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world. 

Another health idea: lemon balm: used to reduce fevers, coughs, colds, hay fever, dizziness, headaches, high blood pressure.  It also seems to calm anxieties and supposedly helps memory storage and recall. Here is the recipe for lemon balm from ehow.com:

Things You’ll Need

• 8 oz. lemon balm infused oil
• 1 oz. grated beeswax
• Double boiler
• 8-10 drops tincture of benzoin
• 8 oz. low tub or jar with lid
• Labels
• Combine the lemon balm infused oil with the grated beeswax in the top portion of a double boiler. Fill the bottom of the double boiler about halfway with warm water. Place over medium-low heat and stir constantly until the beeswax is melted.
• Insert a metal spoon into the mixture and quickly pull it out. Allow the salve to harden on the spoon and then test the consistency. If using the salve on an open wound, a softer consistency is recommended. 
• Add 1/4 oz. more beeswax if the salve is too soft, or 1/4 oz. more oil if it is too hard. Heat the mixture again and re-test. Continue this process until the desired consistency is reached.
• Remove the mixture from the heat and add eight to 10 drops of tincture of benzoin. This substance acts as a preservative and keeps the lemon balm salve fresh for a longer period of time. Stir well to combine. 
• Pour the salve into a tub or jar. Allow it to stand uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, at which time it should be completely set. Label the jar with the contents and store in a cool, dry place for up to one year. 

We are not making any health claims, only passing on this information, so you can make the decision to try it or not.  I know I could throw away lots of pills if it worked for me.  It certainly seems that it would be worth trying.   So, sit down, relax, and sip on that glass of lemonade.