
“Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is a bit tart although loaded with health benefits........”
Remember that old folk song from a few years back?
Okay, so maybe I did alter the lyrics somewhat to make them fit the facts of the fruit we’re discussing today!
But the tree, the flower, and the health benefits of the lemon are indeed worth learning about.
First of all, we gardeners can actually grow our own lemon trees even if we don’t live in the “citrus zone” of year-round above freezing temperatures.
We can order our grafted lemon trees online--trees that will indeed flower and produce sweet smelling blossoms and real live lemons that we can consume.
These container plants will spend summer time on the sunny patio and winter time indoors located in a southern exposure window so our little trees will get plenty of sunshine and adequate temperatures that will keep them thriving.
Lemon trees won’t do well in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and won’t survive in below freezing temperatures.
When we start to harvest the fruits of our labor from the little lemon trees (or when we purchase some lemons from the market), what health benefits can we expect from consuming these lovely little yellow citrus fruits?
Lemons are rich in Vitamins C and B6, as well as thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, copper, and calcium.
Lemon juice aids in digestion and acts as a blood purifier and cleansing agent.
Also, drinking lemon juice can help control high blood pressure because of the potassium found in the fruit.
A recommended daily health tonic has become drinking a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice stirred into about a half cup of warm water.
Add a bit of honey or even cinnamon or ginger for additional health benefits.