uses and disadvantages of lemons

blushing_vision · Apr 10th, 2004, 08:24 PM

Uses of lemon

Every part of the lemon is used in sweet or cooking delicious dishes. From the rind to the juice it is used.

Traditionally a drink of lemon juice, hot water and a teaspoon of honey have been used as a remedy for colds, obesity, and constipation. Lemon juice contains oil, which studies show to help to relieve rheumatism by stimulating the liver to expel toxins from the body. Lemons are good for oral diseases, throat disorders, fevers, cold, beauty aid, stomach problems, obesity etc.

A squeeze over grilled fish or wedges are used and traditionally served as an accompaniment to fish dishes or salad dressing. Lemon slices are a popular addition to tea and cold drinks.

Lemons give a wonderful flavour to sweet dishes. They can be used for jellies, jam, lemon curd, or cheeses, mousses, ice cream, souffles etc. Lemon peels contain pectin, which helps to set jams and jellies. Strips of peel can be added to candied to serve with coffee or add to cakes and puddings. It is widely used in pickle and sherbets. It is used as a strain remover due its bleaching property. Due to their high vitamin C content it prevents oxidation, so lemon juice is often brushed over cut fruit or white vegetables to stop them from turning brown.

Lemon juice is a good base for oral electrolyte solution for the treatment of dehydration and diarrhoea. Few drops of lemon juice added to a glass of home made ORS will provide adequate amount of potassium apart from other minerals. Since lemons are a good source of vitamin C they are beneficial for building up resistance against infection.

Disadvantage
Citrus fruits have been linked with migraine and some people are allergic to them. It is implicated as triggering factor in few asthmatics. Since lemons are highly acidic it can destroy tooth enamel.