Lemons & Limes

Without lemons, the world would be a completely different place. Imagine childhood without lemonade, a sore throat without lemon-honey tea, or summer without lemony baked goods. It’s true for limes, too—think of life without guacamole, key lime pie, and limeade. Lemons and limes are an essential part of our human fabric, woven through from ancient to modern times. Is it just their taste that we love so much, though, or is it more than that? Could it be the remarkable healing power of lemons and limes that’s drawn us to them throughout the ages? The roots of lemon and lime trees go deep into the earth, extracting dozens of precious trace minerals that get passed onto you when you consume the fruits. Lemons and limes are ultrahydrating and electrolyte- producing, because they are a top source of mineral salts and trace mineral salts. Traces of bioavailable sodium in lemons and limes are a driving force in the value they offer our bodies. These citrus siblings have some of the most highly absorbable vitamin C around. And you often hear people concerned about where to get their calcium. Look no further than fresh-squeezed lemon or lime, which offers bioactive calcium that your body craves. Plus, phytochemicals called limonoids in lemons and limes actually bond the vitamin C and calcium together, so that wherever one goes in the body, the other rides along. This enhances the bioavailability of each, and also creates alkalinity in the body to help prevent the growth of almost every type of cancer. The antioxidant flavonoids in lemons and limes are another ally in fighting disease. And when you’re sick with a cold, flu, COVID, bronchitis, or pneumonia, lemon is one of the most effective mucus expellers you can find. Lemons and limes are also profound cleansers of the liver, kidneys, spleen, thyroid, and gallbladder. They purge the many toxic substances we collect from exposure to plastics, synthetic chemicals, radiation, and poor food choices. When going through any sort of detox process, even if it’s just increasing the amount of fruits, leafy greens, herbs and spices, wild foods, and vegetables in your diet, it’s a good idea to drink lemon or lime water first thing in the morning. Going through detox without drinking enough water is like taking the trash to the curb with no waste-management service to pick it up. Once detoxification has drawn the gunk out of your cells and tissues (your liver does much of its work overnight), it needs to be flushed out when you wake up—otherwise, those toxins settle back in. Lemon or lime water is more beneficial for this process than plain water, because filtration has often taken the life out of drinking water, and these citrus stars reawaken its healing abilities.