| During the dark
and dreary days of winter, my thoughts turn to things that remind me of
sunshine and warmth. One thing that reminds me immediately of
sunshiney-goodness is Lemons. Their bright yellow color is
cheerful; their smell is invigorating; and their effect on our health
can be miraculous. In Japan, a study has shown that lemon oil vapor (as produced by a nebulizing diffuser) has anti-stress effects by modulating both the Serotonin and Dopamine neurotransmitter systems. The conclusion was that lemon oil aroma has both anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects. Other research performed in Japan years ago showed a significant improvement in mental accuracy for office workers inhaling the aroma. It was passed through an industrial air conditioning system, resulting in a higher performance rate and a much lower rate of error. Specifically, typing errors fell by 54%. Lemon is often thought of as acidic, but it is very effective in assisting with quite a few physical problems. When mixed with water and taken in the morning, it acts as a tonic for the liver, stimulating it to produce bile and readying it to help digest food properly. Because of the Vitamin C content, it can help prevent a variety of infectious diseases. Taking the natural Vitamin C complex present in plants provides a much more effective dose of the vitamin than pills (although the pills have their place). Lemon juice can help eliminate constipation and heartburn, as well as helping to lower blood sugar. It is also a diuretic,, making it helpful for urinary tract infections and high uric acid problems, including gallstones, as well as arthritis, rheumatism, and much more. When applied inside the nose with a cotton swab, it can help stop nosebleeds. I highly recommend organic lemons, but they are not always available. In lieu of this, you can grow your own lemons, even if you don't live in a tropical southern climate. A Meyer Lemon Tree is a dwarf tree that grows well in a large pot indoors during the winter and can be set outside during the warmer months. They do best in temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about where the temperature in our house stays all year round. If their temperature goes below 54 degrees, they will go dormant. A small, 1-2 year old tree can be bought for $28.95 each, and comes with a 3 year guarantee. http://meyerlemontree.com/ |