Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

I'm all for using natural products. Chemicals are harmful. In my attempt to find more fun craft projects I came across some uses for lemons. I put these uses in to my own words, because people who know me know I don't talk all hoity-toity. There are a few uses in here that I would suggest if you experience severe symptoms, you don't try to treat yourself. See a professional. Also, if you suffer any ill effects or damage to property, it isn't my fault. Seriously, these are some really good uses for lemons and hopefully they will benefit you. I have used lemon for several of these things so I can testify to the fact they work. Feel free to comment and let me know how the ones you try work.

So in the words of the Little Rascals: "Go suck a lemon!"

1. Freshen The Fridge
Take some fresh lemon juice or lemon juice from the bottle and put some on a sponge or something. Leave it in the fridge for about an hour. Just remember to clean all the science projects out first. Nothing will make it smell better if you have some wicked specimens in there.

2. High Blood pressure
Lemons contain potassium. Potassium helps with high blood pressure. Potassium also helps with nausea and dizziness. Also, think about those annoying leg cramps that wake you up in the middle of the night, kicking like a Ninja. Yep, can help those too.

3.Keep Cauliflower White
I personally would not want my cauliflower to taste lemon-y but if you put a teaspoon of lemon juice on cauliflower before heating or cooking, it will keep it white.

4. Get Mental
Lemon water can pep your mood and help relieve depression and stress. Long distance walker and runners also use it to refresh and get energy. I know a few people who could use lemon water as an upper...

5 Freshen That Cutting Board
You prepare all kinds of things on cutting boards. It can get pretty nasty with onions, garlic, fish, etc...Take a half of a lemon and rub it all over the cutting board before washing it. You can also wash it in lemon juice. Get the yucky onion smell off of your hands by washing them in lemon too.

6. Respiratory Problems
Lemon water can help reduce phlegm and also reduce asthma symptoms. Although I've heard this before, I really am not sure of the extent of truth in this one

7. Arthritis and Rheumatism
Lemons are a diuretic. Diuretics produce urine. This is supposed to help relieve fluids in your body and flush toxins so it acts as a pain reliever. (Not sure of the truth of this one either)

8.Kidney Stones
Lemon mixed with water may increase the production of urinary citrate-This fights the crystals that form to create kidney stones. My Mister and mom can testify that kidney stones are painful. My mom swears by lemon water.

9. Deodorize Your Garbage
Again, remove the science projects and throw leftover lemon and orange peels in the bottom before putting in a new bag. I personally think this defeats the purpose of a clean deodorized trash can, I wash mine out with vinegar and then when it's dry I sprinkle baking soda before replacing the liner.

10. Fruits And Veggies
Wash Em! Use lemon juice or even cut a lemon and scrub the fruits and veggies with the lemon before you rinse them.

11. Treat Infections
Sometimes gargling with salt water doesn't work when you have a sore throat. Try warm water and lemon. Lemon has wonderful antibacterial agents

12. Crisp Up Your Lettuce
I can't stand wimpy lettuce. Take a bowl of ice cold water and add a tablespoon or so of lemon juice. Let it sit in it for about an hour. Let the water drip off and toss a salad!

13.Guacamole
Your guacamole won't turn brown if you sprinkle some lemon juice on it. Makes it yummier too

14. Oral Health
Lemon juice can ease a toothache and stop bleeding gums. It's also a good emergency mouth wash. It fights all those dirty germs you have floating around. Swallow it and it helps fight bad breath longer. Make sure you rinse afterward though, because it isn't good for the enamel on your teeth. It can weaken it.

15. Age Spots and Freckles
I read Anne of Green Gables a number of times. Anne Shirley hates her freckles so she rubs lemon on them. To her dismay it only lightens them and doesn't take them away.

16. Blonde Highlights
Take a 1/4 c of lemon juice and a 1/4 cup of water and rinse. You will have to do this several times. DO NOT-I REPEAT-DO NOT use peroxide. I learned this as a dumb teenager

17. Room Scent/Humidifier
I do this frequently in the winter and fall. Makes everything seem all nice and cozy while making your rooms smell good and removing the annoying static. If you don't have a wood burning stove you can use a stove top. Take lemon, oranges and any other citrus-y leftover and put it in some water. Let it simmer on the stove

18. Clean and Whiten Nails
You don't need to go to the manicurist. Just rub lemon on your nails. Push the cuticles back and rub them too.

19. Get Rid of Stains on Marble
Only do this as a last resort. Marble is actually a porous material. If you have a stubborn stain to remove take a half of lemon and dip it in salt. Scrub the stain and rinse quickly. I say last resort as it could actually damage your marble if you do it too often.

20. Berry Stains
Few things are more fun than picking berries. You also know few things take away the stains you get from picking. Wash your hands in lemon. Did you know, that you can also get rid of the onion smell this way too?

21. Headaches
I suffer from headaches and I tend to let them go too long before doing anything about them. Hot tea with lots of lemon helps if you don't let them go too long. I have noticed in the cooler months I have few headaches. I think this is due to the fact I drink a lot of hot tea with lemon. Any flavor will do.

22. Chills and Fever
I think this is why hot tea with lemon tastes so good when you're sick. 'Nuff said

23.Vaginal Issues
I totally don't recommend this one. I don't care how safe it is

24. Forget Mothballs
Take whole lemons and poke cloves in them and put them on a shelf in your closet. Gets rid of the musty smell from all the packed up clothes. Hmmmm....

25. Stomach Health
Warm water and lemon or lime helps most digestive problems. It can cut back on indigestion, stomach aches, diarrhea and other stomach ailments

26. Disinfect Cuts and Scrapes
It's like pouring salt on wounds I know, but it can actually stop bleeding and disinfect when poured on the wound. You can even put it on cotton or gauze and dab it on

27. Out Damned Spot!!
You can pour lemon juice on greasy stains on your clothes before you wash them. Ask me. I'm the Soup Drip Queen

28. Bleaching Agent
Use it in your laundry to boost colors and whiten whites

29. Musty Smells
You know when your towels are new and fluffy? They always smelled so good when you took them out of the dryer. After a while they start to smell a little musty. Wash a load of towels in lemon juice and bye bye smell. It also helps when your washer starts to smell.

30. Brighten Brass
Cut a lemon in half, dip in salt and polish away.

I know there are probably dozens more uses but these are my favorites. Try them and let me know what you think!