The Lemon Book - Natural Recipes and Preparations by Alexandra Végant Page B

reaching 3-4 lemons, according to individual needs.
    Once the maximum dose has been reached, the quantity of juice is reduced by half a lemon a day until reaching one lemon a day.
    For at least one month, continue the dose of one lemon a day. During the detoxification, keep your diet light, made up mainly of vegetables, fruit and cereals.
    The acids present in lemons have an alkalising action on the body; the citric acid oxidises during metabolism. The resulting salts form carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and potassium, which contribute to the alkalinity of the blood.
    A treatment of 200g of lemon juice a day can help to resolve serious states of acidosis . A few soup-spoonfuls of juice diluted in a glass of water relieve attacks of acid reflux. (Caution: the ingestion of lemon juice while taking antacid medication should be avoided as it can increase absorption of the aluminium contained in this kind of product.)
    In aromatherapy, lemon essence acts directly on the nervous and endocrine systems. According to the experts, the aromatic molecules enter the cortex, bringing about an agreeable feeling of harmony and well-being which relieves stress and anxiety.
    Several scientific studies have shown that the consumption of citrus fruits could prevent the formation of certain cancers and slow down the proliferation of metastasis (see References at the end of the book).
    To summarise their properties, lemons are:
    disinfectant
    antiseptic
    antitoxic
    white blood cell activators in the immune system
    refreshing
    stimulating for the sympathetic and nervous system
    stimulating for the heart
    alkalising
    diuretic
    antirheumatic
    anti gout
    antiarthritic
    calming
    antacid
    anti-sclerotic
    antiscorbutic
    stimulating for the veins
    blood-thinning
    antihypertensive
    depurative
    remineralising
    antianaemic
    stimulating for gastrohepatic and pancreatic secretion
    hemostatic
    carminative
    vermifugal
    antivenin
    healing for wounds
    soothing for insect bites
    protective for the skin
     
    Lemons are beneficial in the case of:
    infections
    infectious diseases
    malaria and fevers
    preventing epidemics
    asthenia
    loss of appetite
    rheumatism
    arthritis
    gout
    stones
    heartburn and gastric ulcers
    dyspepsia
    aerophagia
    scurvy
    arteriosclerosis
    varicose veins
    phlebitis
    capillary fragility
    obesity
    hypertension
    demineralisation
    growth and convalescence
    anaemia
    jaundice
    vomiting
    liver failure and pancreatitis
    haemophilia
    haemorrhages
    meteorism
    diarrhoea
    intestinal parasites
    asthma
    bronchitis
    headaches
    influenza
    common colds
    sinusitis
    otitis
    nosebleeds
    mouth ulcers
    rashes
    dermatitis
    boils
    migraines
    warts
    herpes
    insect bites
    scabies
    Medical advice should always be sought before any recourse to self-medication.
     
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    LEMONS AS AN “ALL-PURPOSE REMEDY”
    To relieve symptoms of flu, colds, headaches and nausea : thoroughly rinse an organic lemon, cut it in half, squeeze the juice into a small saucepan with half a glass of water, add the two squeezed halves of the fruit and bring to the boil for a few minutes. Strain, sweeten with honey (or even better, with malt) and drink the hot liquid in small sips before going to bed.
    To disinfect mouth ulcers : rinse with lemon juice.
    In cases of diarrhoea , drink fresh lemon juice for its astringent and regulatory effect on the bowels.
    To tone and improve the appearance of the skin , eat fresh lemons and reap the benefits of their high vitamin A content.
    To stimulate the immune defences and purge the liver , drink the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water on an empty stomach every morning for 1-2 months.
    To treat warts : soak a folded piece of sterile gauze or a cotton ball in freshly-squeezed lemon juice, apply it to the wart and hold it in place with the help of a plaster. Repeat twice a day for 2-3 weeks.
    On insect bites : immediately apply a slice of lemon to the bite. Alternatively, put a drop of lemon essential oil in a