By Kristy Podruchny

Lemon adds that perfect final touch to a meal or a refreshing drink any time you need to tap into your fondest summer memories.  This sunshine fruit is packed with antioxidants and can help keep cancer, kidney stones and accelerated aging at bay.  You can also add lemons to your cleaning and beauty routines.

Staying hydrated is crucial for healthy kidneys and adding lemon to your water for flavor can encourage you to drink more.  Lemon not only flavors water, it also adds a powerful antioxidant into your daily drink: vitamin C.  Humans are one of the only mammals that can’t produce their own ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and one lemon contains half of your recommended daily intake.  Antioxidants like vitamin C protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals.  According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C is necessary for the biosynthesis of collagen, which is important for connective tissue in our bodies.

From fighting free radicals to helping collagen production, lemons have proven themselves to be an essential part of a beauty regimen inside and out.  For example, lemons are also great for smoothing rough skin on your elbows.  Rub a freshly juiced lemon on your elbows before tossing it in your compost pile.  Fun tip: halved lemons fit your elbow perfectly!  You’ll only need to do this for a day or two for softer skin.

If you’ve ever had kidney stones, you know how painful they can be and how important prevention is.  The good news is that eating lemons and other citrus fruit can prevent certain types of kidney stones.

Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning can help rehydrate your body after sleep.  The attention lemon water gets for being a “detox drink” can be misleading.  Your body has a complex and natural detoxification process.  Lemons along with water and a healthy lifestyle can all help support this system.

So what about weight loss?  There is some evidence to suggest that flavonoids found in lemons can help support weight loss.

Lemon’s antibacterial properties and fresh scent make it an ideal natural cleaning product and deodorizer.  The acid can remove stains from copper, plastic, bronze and more!  Oil from lemon rinds can be used to condition wooden cutting boards.  Add lemon juice and rinds to vinegar and water for an antibacterial multi-purpose cleaner.

Freeze mint, basil and other herbs in ice cubes and keep in the freezer until you are ready for a nice glass of lemon herb tea.

Morning lemon replenisher

Ingredients:

• 16oz of water
• 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp fresh or powdered turmeric
  Makes 2 cups

Does your house smell musty? Put lemon essential oil in your diffuser. 

Some people swear by lemon essential oil as an ingredient that fights exhaustion, helps with depression, clears your skin, kills harmful viruses and bacteria, and reduces inflammation.