Cultivated worldwide, the lemon is a valuable crop.

Important to foods and medicines this ancient and much loved plant is said to be native to India but was first grown in Portugal .

 

I know of not a dish prepared in Ramadan whose flavour is not enhanced by the juice of a lemon.

A squeeze of lemon to savouries, chutneys and even haleem adds that extra zest to the flavour of the dish.

 

Lemon helps to break down fats and to cleanse the liver. It has a high source of Vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins and is also a source of iron and calcium.

 

It is not only superb in cooking; it is valuable to the pharmaceutical industries in cosmetic and has medicinal values. The lemon is an antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti rheumatic and has immune system building properties. It is a general tonic for cleansing and detoxifying. As a preventative medicine, the lemon has no competition.

 

HERE ARE SOME BENEFITS OF LEMON.

 

* SKINSOOTHER.

Lemon juice is ideal for applying to insect bites, stings and rashes. Dab lemon juice directly onto spots and sunburn. Remember the lemon is antiseptic and antibacterial.

 

* NAIL CLEANER.

Dig nails into a squeezed out lemon with nails embedded right up to the cuticles for 10 minutes. This cleanses, whitens and strengthens the nails.

 

* LEMON JUICE GARGLE:

A remedy used for sore throats, stuffy noses, gingivitis and mouth ulcers.

Squeeze 1 tblsp of lemon juice into 1 cup or warm water, stir and take a mouthful. Swirl around in the mouth, gargle with it and swallow. Do this 3 x a day to clear infections.

 

BY SISTER AMMARAH.