As a fruit, the lemon is typically too tart to eat on its own. In fact, most people think lemons are acidic. They may taste that way in the mouth but once inside your digestive system, your body considers lemon juice alkaline.

Lemon juice has many healing uses. The wonder of lemons include:

• Morning Alkalizing Drink (daily): Fresh squeeze a half lemon, add to a glass of purified water (preferably room temperature or lukewarm), and drink first thing in the morning. Not only does this alkalize your body but it also stimulates your digestive system to allow for a good bowel movement. Lemon juice is also known to help balance blood sugar. (This practice can help prevent certain kinds of kidney stones. If you already have kidney stones, drinking lemon water throughout the day helps to smooth out the stones for easier elimination.)
• Lemon Detox Drink (periodically): This is a great way to stimulate your digestive system, increase your metabolism, and detox at the same time. While some may use it as a liquid detox program, it can also be used while eating food. Add 2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice, 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp. organic maple syrup, and 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper to 12 oz. glass of purified water. Stir together and drink 20 minutes before eating. (Can take up to 3 times a day, before each meal, for two weeks.)
• Lemon Baths: These are great when you feel like you’re getting sick and want to “sweat out the toxins.” It improves elimination through the bowel and through the skin. Squeeze half of one lemon and drink it in hot water like a tea. Take the other half of the lemon and rub the pulp side all over your body and get immediately into a bath with water as hot as you can tolerate. Stay in the bath for 15-20 minutes and continue to drink the “lemon tea.” Rubbing the lemon on your skin causes the pores to open, allowing excessive perspiration. After getting out, wrap up warmly so you continue to perspire, preferably while you sleep. (Be sure you are properly hydrated before doing this and have someone nearby to help you get out of the tub.)
• Lemon Socks: Especially good for children who are feverish and works best if their feet are already warm. Soak two washcloths in hot water and the juice of one lemon. Wring and apply to your child’s feet, putting a large pair of wool socks over the washcloths, and let them go to sleep. This will help to reduce the fever by drawing the heat down and out of the body. (In most cases, it is best to let a fever run its course since it is the body’s way of “burning away” the germs. Lemon socks are good when a child is restless and uncomfortable due to the fever. For extremely high fevers you should contact your health care provider.)

Be sure to use fresh lemons, preferably organic. Bottled lemon juice does not provide the same results because it has become acidic over time.

This article was written by Sharon Harmon, founder of Life Design for Health. She has a passion for helping people find their way back to optimum health. Please contact her if you would like to know more. There is a great deal of health-related information in her blog articles and on her website.