Zingy flavour, aromatic scent, brings the sunshine in the kitchen for the bright yellow, is lemon. This fruit belongs to the citrus family and is rich in vitamin C
Lemons are available all the year-round.
It is literally used for everything from the zest to juice.
The primary ingredient in the Mediterranean cuisine, especially in the Moroccan one. Lemon, in ancient times, was used by Chinese as an antiseptic, while Egyptians, Greeks and Arabs used the citrus fruit also as a natural preserving and moth repellent.
“In England, in 1289, an emissary of Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I, bought 15 lemons and seven oranges from a Spanish ship. In 1530, Henry VIII’s included references to several purchases of citrus, among them the expenses paid to a servant who supplied oranges and lemons to the royal palace at York Place.” – Credit to: Edible Histories: citrus/Borough Market.
Lemon is now widespread in great British food. Have you ever tried to “lemony” olive oil to drizzle in your salad?
Wax or not wax? –
British chefs suggest that untreated lemons are preferable to buy, especially if you need to use the zest for flouring a dish or to use it for cocktails. It might be challenging to find lemons with no wax.
A simple tip to remove it is to soak them into the water and scrub them gently with a vegetable brush.
For those who are fancy growing organic lemons and with the green thumb, fruits can be grown in pots.
Plants can be kept indoors during the winter months and move them outside in summer. To create an Italian Riviera in your Yorkshire garden … Enjoying the smell of citrus and pretending to be in Portofino. A lemon scent, boost your health and control anxiety.
A study at the UK’s Northumbria University found that exposure to lemon plants can improve cognitive performance and mood.
Katie Drummond, Editor at Prevention.com.
How Can I use Lemon as a natural cleaning product?
Lemons are considered natural bleach for the high content in citric acid. Lemons are naturally antibacterial and antiseptic,
Lemon smell gives a fresh feeling around the house. This handy fruit can be used for the cleanliness of the kitchen as an eco-friendly degrease.
Refresh your sink – After making fish is your sink a bit smelly? After cleaning rub half of the lemon everywhere in your sink, my grandfather was a fisherman, and this was the remedy that grandma used to refresh the kitchen sink.
Keep cutting board disinfected – Once a week sprinkles natural sea salt and rub with the half lemon the board. Allow a few minutes pose and then rinse with hot water.
DIY lemon cleaner – In a spray bottle combine the juice of five lemon, water, vinegar and rosemary to clean the fridge; the smell is so great afterwards!
Preservative – To prevent the fruit from turning black, lemon juice is poured directly onto the fruit. Lemon juice is essential before cooking the fruit to make jam
Lemon in Natural Cosmetic
Lemons are very rich in vitamin C, which improves skin condition from ageing, lemons like other citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids.
Flavonoids contained in lemons contribute to fighting the formation of free radicals also, the vitamin C repairs skin damages already existant like wrinkles any type of marks, spots and facial scars.
Maintains skin ph balanced, and it is a natural detox whether lemon is used internally or externally to your body. Lemon juice is considered an excellent anti-ageing.
Lemon has astringent properties, absorbs the skin oil in excess so it can be used for those skins affected from acne or for blackheads cleaning. Particularly recommended the use of anti-acne treatment like exfoliating lotions.
To get rid blackheads, regularly apply lemon juice in your daily skin routine, it purifies and cleanses acne spots when infected.
DIY remedies are all useful for keeping your skin in good health,
it is always suggested to go to see your GP Doctor in acne cases.
There are many DIY remedies with the use of lemon to revitalise your skin or to absorb the skin oil in excess. Once every fortnight, I use this simple DIY mask.
DIY face mask with lemon, almond and honey:
2 tablespoon of ground almonds- gently exfoliates dead skin cells, clear blackheads and acne
1 tablespoon of honey – antioxidant, avoid damaging of free radicals, and bright your skin.
Half lemon juice – fight oily skin, skin tonic and gives a fresh, glowing look.
In a small bowl add the ground almond, lemon juice and honey. Mix all the ingredients with a spoon until all the ingredients are well mixed and compacted, then apply on your skin. Rinse after ten minutes with a warm washcloth or warm water.
Boost your mood!
Lemon is an exceptional boost of energy for your body. It could be a blend of essential oils; Lemon and citrus, which can be used for massage it increases blood circulation, reduces cellulite and stress. Or a few drops in the bath to fight the long day fatigue.
The smell of lemon following the research of aromatherapy conducted in 2008 is useful for reducing anxiety and depression, improving the mood of those candidates who were exposed to the lemon scent.
A perfect way to boost your mood is an energising shower gel, followed by a citrus body lotion, perfect treat for your skin and your mood. It makes me feel clean and happy afterwards.
Champney’s citrus blush&daily scrub
Alessia Miceli 