Lemons are refreshing and versatile, with a multitude of practical, culinary and health benefits. Though they are decidedly acidic and taste sour, lemons have an alkalizing effect on your body, according to naturopath Michelle Soffro Cook, D.N.M, D.Ac., author of "The Ultimate PH Solution: Balance Your Body Chemistry to Prevent Disease and Lose Weight." Drinking warm lemon juice in the morning is a healthy habit and a featured component of many cleanses and detoxification diets.
Morning Ritual
Your lemon juice cleanse can start first thing in the morning with lemon juice in warm water to stimulate your digestive system and encourage bowel regularity, says naturopath and medical doctor Liliana Stadler Mitrea, author of the book "Gerontology." Upon rising, add a few drops of lemon juice to a glass of room temperature water. The lemon juice activates your gall bladder to release the previous days' stored toxins. Wait half an hour before eating breakfast or drinking any other fluids. Don't add your lemon juice to another type of fruit juice or take vitamins with your lemon water. Also, avoid drinking your lemon water during meals, as lemon water is meant as a digestive cleanse, says Mitrea. Over time, you can gradually increase the amount of lemon up to one quarter to a whole lemon. Also try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, which increases blood flow and assists the cleansing process.
Enzymes and Oxygenation
Lemon water improves your liver function and increases its production of digestive enzymes, says naturopath Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D., author of "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia: Discover Your Personal Method for Pain Relief." Avoid frozen or reconstituted lemon juice as these lack the enzymes present in freshly squeezed juice. One tbsp. of fresh lemon juice in a glass of water first thing in the morning also helps oxygenate your blood. Citric acid in lemon juice contributes to your body's energy production pathways.
Mouthwash
A mouthwash made from lemon juice can cleanse your mouth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to the Reader's Digest book "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things." For this type of cleanse, you can use bottled lemon juice, though fresh always is best. Use the juice full-strength, swish and gargle. Swallow the juice to continue its cleansing activity through your digestive system. Citric acid in lemon juice lowers the pH in your mouth and kills bacteria. Lemon juice is an acid, so rinse thoroughly with pure water after doing a lemon juice oral cleanse to avoid eroding the enamel on your teeth.
Kidney Health
Lemon juice is cleansing for your kidneys and can help prevent or break up small calcium deposits, according to James Duke, Ph.D., author of "The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions: Herbs, Foods, and Natural Formulas to Keep You Young." Drink lemon water three to four times throughout the day to keep your liver strong and your body chemistry balanced; however, lemon juice could irritate certain conditions. Avoid lemon juice if you have advanced kidney disease or adrenal stress, as you will not tolerate lemon juice well with these conditions.
References
- "Gerontology; Liliana Stadler Mitrea, M.D. (Eur), N.D.; 2008
- "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia: Discover Your Personal Method for Pain Relief"; Jane Oelke; 2003
- "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things"; Reader's Digest; 2004
- "The Ultimate PH Solution: Balance Your Body Chemistry to Prevent Disease and ..."; Michelle Schoffro Cook; 2007
- "The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions: Herbs, Foods, and Natural ..."; James A. Duke; 2001
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