Now that flu season is here, most of us are looking for ways to stay healthy. For some, this means getting the flu shot, for others it means building an arsenal of home remedies. For many, it means a combination of both. However, sometimes it takes only opening your refrigerator to uncover one of the best flu fighters of all — the common lemon.
LEMON’S ALKALIZING EFFECT
So, what’s so special about lemons? For starters, they’re packed with vitamin C and flavonoids. These well-known, infection-fighting agents can destroy free radicals that cause inflammation. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the anti-oxidant properties of flavonoids have been recognized for decades and are the subject of over 23,000 publications.
Lemons can help destroy free radicals that cause inflammation.
THIS FLU REMEDY IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT
Already sick? Lemons can help alleviate your symptoms. Lemon juice not only acts as a natural expectorant, but it can also calm swollen membranes and prevent them from recurring. Moreover, the fruit’s high acidity inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses by making it more difficult for them to reproduce.
Lemons are also a good source of iron, copper, potassium and calcium, key minerals that can help keep a body healthy. Indeed, you’d be hard-pressed to find a flu remedy that can beat the little fruit’s immune-boosting substances combined with so many potent antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
ARE YOU ACIDIC OR ALKALINE? TAKE THE TEST!
Before beginning your flu remedy, take this test to see where you stand. Combine the juice of one lemon with one cup of hot or warm water. Does it taste sour to you? If it tastes very sour, your body is probably more acidic. If, on the other hand, it doesn’t taste sour at all, your body is most likely more alkaline (which is a much healthier state.)
By keeping the ratio of lemon juice to water consistent and taking the drink daily, you should eventually reach a point where the drink doesn’t taste sour at all. You may even enjoy it!
Why wait? Act now and make yourself a natural flu remedy:
FLU REMEDY
Chop up one lemon, including skin and pulp
Add 1 cup boiling water
Steep for 5 minutes
Strain, add honey to taste and enjoy
Drink this hot ‘lemonade’ three to four times a day throughout your illness. Or, drink a cup every morning during the winter months to help stave off infection.
For more natural ways to stay healthy this winter, check out these ‘warming’ foods recommended by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
