March 20, 2007 8:01 AM
Lemon juice for family health
Ran this here last summer - but you need to hear the longterm (well, eight months) results which follow:
This is now the hot item in our kitchen - an electric juicer I recently bought from Amazon. A couple months ago I would have thought it was a completely unnecessary waste of money. Now I give thanks for finding something under $15 that has helped improve the quality of our lives.
That's because at least four Curtises are now hooked on starting the day with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon in a glass of warm water. You should have seen us all struggling with the lemons before - not to mention the pitiful results of our fervent squeezing.
Why lemon? Check out these benefits:
*Cleanses the digestive system.*Relieves symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching.
*Controls constipation and diarrhea by eliminating waste more efficiently.
*Good Source of Vitamin C.
*Enhances the beauty of your skin, rejuvenating it from within.
*Cleanses and aids in eliminating waste in the liver.
Some claim that drinking lemon juice eliminates the need for deodorant. And lemon juice is a great astringent and hair rinse.
We're buying lots of bags of lemons from Costco now. Makes me long for our old lemon tree in Petaluma - but that was before I knew how valuable lemons are. So now when I use our little juicer each morning, I am grateful we found this really easy way to boost our health.
The four Curtises who were drinking lemon juice each morning were Tripp, Ben, Zach and I. Now that the boys are back at college, I don't know what they are doing, but Tripp and I have faithfully had our lemon juice first thing EVERY morning.
I made it through the winter without any illness - even when six members of our family had strep a few weeks ago. I am convinced that the lemon juice - along with losing weight - has kept me in vibrant health.
I've been trying to get Sophia and Maddy to add this to their daily routine - their immune systems seem so weak - constantly battling sore throats, sinusitis. strep. Not good for singers. They tend to be so busy, burning the candle at both ends (as a result they both recently decided to temporarily drop out of their three-nights-a-week theater prep company). And since they're eating on the fly, though they don't eat much junk food, their diets could be better. Yesterday I got Maddy to drink a glass of milk with whey by telling her her brothers use it every day while they're away at school.
This morning they both came downstairs looking so haggard I began my pitch - and guess what? They both drank a glass of warm water/lemon juice. I am so happy - and will definitely let you know whether we start seeing some results.
Btw, many of you have discovered that you can get the best prices on things like whey and yeast and health products (including gluten-free) through amazon. Whatever is part of your regular regimen, please check out Amazon prices by clicking on the amazon box in my bottom left sidebar.
I've been buying everything I can at Amazon since long before I had a blog - it just saves so much time and money. For lots of things, shipping is free for orders over $25 - just remember to click on Super Saver shipping. You too can save taxes and gas while supporting this site!
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Comments
I can't enjoy a glass of water without a squeeze of fresh lemon in it anymore. We've been well throughout the winter, too, amazingly. Not sure if the lemons did it, but who knows? I've heard also that they are good for keeping away kidney stones. My hubby was treated for kidney stones a few years ago after going on a low carb diet (I didn't get them, although I was eating that way, too, so not sure they were caused by it - just a coincidence, perhaps?). He has not had a recurrence since drinking lemon juice in his water every day. We even ask for it that way in restaurants.
Posted by: Kim | March 20, 2007 9:10 AM
Do you know if using reconstituted lemon juice will do the same thing? I usually buy it this way because we sometimes use it in water and I make iced tea (decaf) alot...although on the ingredient list it says water, lemon juice concentrate, sodium bisulfite and sodium benzoate. The preservatives might negate any benefit...do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Posted by: Pat | March 20, 2007 10:58 AM
Very interesting - I hadn't heard that, but sounds good! Couple questions though...why "Warm water"? & do you sweeten it at all?
Posted by: Angella214 | March 20, 2007 11:37 AM
Since the whole point of the lemon juice regime is to cleanse the system, I would stick with real lemons. Not sure about why it is warm water, but in the research I did before starting this, that is what was called for.
One thing I neglected to mention is that the expense of the lemons could never begin to add up to the copays I've saved by staying well!
Posted by: barbara | March 20, 2007 12:02 PM
Hi Barbara!
I love home remedies liike this! I have a quick question about it though: How much lemon juice and hot water do you use per serving? Thank you!
Emma
Posted by: Emma | March 20, 2007 12:33 PM
I second everything you're saying about fresh squeezed lemon in warm water every morning. I have been doing this for years, first thing in the morning, and I've definitely experienced all of the benefits you mentioned. I definitely notice a difference when I drink just water in the morning, without the lemon.
Interestingly, I ran out of lemons a couple weeks ago so I haven't had my lemon water (just water) during that time. Well, my two children came down with the flu and so did I. I haven't had a fever in years (no kidding), even when all my family members would become sick. It seemed my immune system was invincible! I'm wondering now if my immune system wasn't as strong because I wasn't drinking my usual lemon water for those few weeks. Hmmm, I'm going to buy lemons today...a big bag! That flu was the pits, and I'm still recovering.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | March 20, 2007 12:39 PM
Intersting! I often crave lemons!! I wonder if that's why...my body knows I need it for one of these reason! : )
Posted by: shawnda | March 20, 2007 2:46 PM
I had done some research on drinking water early last year. Room temp or warm water helps to jump start your intestines in the morning. No sugar/sweetner! That would defeat the purpose. Don't worry, you'll get use to it more quickly than you think! It is best to drink your lemon water before you consume anything else. After a night of your body cleaning itself out, your intestines will need all the help they can get to remove the junk! It has been working very well for our little family!
Posted by: Sara | March 20, 2007 11:44 PM
I read Sara's comment above, but I am interested in the answer of someone who's read the information first hand - seriously - does lemonade do the same thing? In other words, lemon juice in cold or cool water with sugar in it?
If not, I'd be wondering, why not?
We have been making lots of lemonade lately!
Posted by: Marie | March 21, 2007 1:27 PM
I couldn't agree more with the cleansing properties of lemons but please add this little warning. As an ex-dental nurse I have seen the results of childrens teeth and many have very little enamel left. Enamel is the protection for our teeth but it is worn away by acidity. The worst offender for children is copious quantities of yogurt but from my own personal experience as a child lemons do the same if not more effective job of erosion. By all means have your morning warm water with lemon but please BRUSH YOUR TEETH IMMEDIATELY AFTER!
This applies to chocolate and any sweet substance. You can eat as much chocolate as you like (from the point of view of teeth not general health or weight) but you must brush immediately after eating. The decay occurs in the following hours when the residue of sugar remains on and between teeth.
Love your site, I was looking for the spiritual meaning of lemons and lemon trees.
Warm wishes Sue.
Posted by: Sue Coulton | July 16, 2007 8:24 PM
I want to start doing this. We are living in California with a lemon tree in the backyard, so I have no excuse.
Just wondering the details. How much warm water? How much lemon juice?
Thanks.
Posted by: Lisa | January 16, 2008 12:05 AM
I have been doing Lemon Juice for 10 years now and can attest to the healing qualities. While the lemon juice is in water (which protects the enamel in your teeth more then raw lemon juice) you should still make sure to rinse after drinking.
Also your comments on whey are alarming. This is a quote from the LA Times: "Stricter federal and state regulations prohibit dumping raw whey down sewers. Whey is a 100 to 200 times stronger pollutant than residential sewage, and most municipal sewage plants cannot treat it adequately. Disposal in streams is not an option because whey depletes waterways of oxygen, rendering them incapable of supporting marine life. Even disposaal on unused land or gravel pits is often unsuitable because of seepage into water supplies. The solution decided upon by industry and government is to apply high technology and sophisticated marketing techniques and feed the stuff to humans."
It is my advice and the advice of many out there that whey be avoided!
Posted by: Kristi | July 4, 2008 4:54 PM
