Plant a Lemon Tree today

The benefits of growing your own lemon tree
If you don't have a lemon tree growing in your yard I suggest you plant one and reap the benefits.

Tips:  Lemons should be picked at their peak ripeness because, unlike many other fruits, they do not ripen or improve in quality after being picked.  

​​The properties in lemons are so extensive to find out more read this post.

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​Lemons are a popular fruit that people use mainly in small quantities and with herbs and spices. They give flavour to many sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks, and desserts, and they are also a good source of vitamin C and so much more.
The Lemon tree is believed to be a native of southeastern China.  It is thought to have arrived in Europe via Persia and the Middle East with the returning Crusaders in the 12th Century.  Columbus brought lemon and orange seeds on his second voyage to the West Indies in 1493.  Little did he know he would be founding the world's largest lemon industry by the 20th century.  The early explorers took lemons on long voyages to help prevent and treat scurvy, a serious condition that results from a vitamin C deficiency.
Some facts about lemons​

• Lemons are a good source of vitamin C and of flavonoids, or antioxidants, which are thought to boost health and wellbeing in several ways. 
• Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen, it may help relieve asthma symptoms, and it may protect against some cancers
• Lemon juice can be added to water and is recommended daily, also used in teas, desserts, sauces, many recipies and a delicious addition to salads  
• Lemons can be healthful and refreshing. Consuming a range of fruits and vegetables appears to reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.

 
Let's look at some of the possible benefits of consuming lemons.
1) Lowering stroke risk   According to the American Heart Association (AHA), citrus fruits may help lower the risk of ischemic stroke in women.  A study of data from nearly 70,000 women over 14 years showed that those who ate the most citrus fruits had a 19 percent lower risk of ischemic stroke than women who consumed the least.  "Studies have shown higher fruit, vegetable, and specifically vitamin C intake is associated with reduced stroke risk. Flavonoids present in certain fruits and vegetable are thought to provide some of that protection through several mechanisms, including improved blood vessel function and an anti-inflammatory effect."   Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. It is caused by a blood clot blocking the flow of blood to the brain.  Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., Lead author of the study
2) Maintaining a healthy blood pressure  One Japanese study found that out of 101 women, those who walked regularly and consumed lemon every day had lower blood pressure than those who did not. The scientists called for more research to confirm this.
3) Cancer prevention  Lemons and lemon juice are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C.  Antioxidants may help prevent the formation of free radicals that are known to cause cancer. 
4) Maintaining a healthy complexion Vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the support system of the skin.  When eaten in its natural form or applied topically, vitamin C can help fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture, according to findings of a study on mice, published in 2014.
5) Asthma  The risk of developing asthma appears to be lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients, one of these being vitamin C, although further study is necessary.  A review published in Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology found that vitamin C benefitted people with asthma and bronchial hypersensitivity when they also had a common cold.
The study concluded:  "It may be reasonable for asthmatic patients to test vitamin C on an individual basis if they have exacerbations of asthma caused by respiratory infections. More research on the role of vitamin C on common cold-induced asthma is needed."
6) Increasing iron absorption  Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in developed countries and a leading cause of anemia.
Pairing foods that are high in vitamin C with foods that are iron-rich maximizes the body's ability to absorb iron.  Spinach and chickpeas, for example, are good sources of iron. Squeezing a little lemon juice atop a salad with these ingredients can help maximize the intake of iron as well as vitamin C.
7) Boosting the immune system  Foods that are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants may help strengthen the immune system against the germs that cause cold and flu.  One study has indicated that, while some vitamin C supplements may not appear to reduce the incidence of colds in a population, they may help reduce the duration of a cold. Vitamin C may also help boost immunity in people who are undergoing extreme physical activity.  Squeezing a whole lemon into a glass of hot water with a large spoonful of honey makes a soothing drink for someone with a cough or cold.
8) Weight loss  One study, published in 2008, found that when rodents received lemon phenols along with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, they did not gain as much weight as rodents that did not receive the lemon-peel phenols. Lemon phenols are present in lemon peel.

One average sized lemon can provide:

• 17 calories
• 0.64 g of protein
• 0.17 g of fat
• 5.41 g of carbohydrate, including 1.6 g of fiber and 1.45 g of sugar
• 15 milligrams (mg) of calcium
• 0.5 mg of iron
• 7 mg of magnesium
• 13 mg of phosphorus
• 116 mg of potassium
• 2 mg of sodium
• 0.05 mg of zinc
• 9 micrograms (mcg) of folate
• 1 mg of vitamin A

In addition, lemons contain small amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, copper, and manganese.

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Pasta or noodles with Artichokes and lemon

Serves 4 in 20 minutes or less and it's delicious!

• Soba noodles, or fine spelt pasta, or fine wholemeal pasta 
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 500g can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained (you can use fresh, after you have prepared them for cooking)
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/3 cup of sour cream
• 1/2 lemon, zest and juice (add a whole lemon for that extra zing)
• 10-15 basil leaves, chopped
• Grate 4 tablespoons fresh Parmesan, for topping
• 1. Cook pasta according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in the artichokes and cook 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 3 minutes. Add the sour cream, lemon juice and zest and basil and combine well. Once pasta is semi-tender, add to pan mixture with tongs to continue cooking, adding about 1/3 of cooking water to pan.
  2. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes until heated through. Top with parmesan. 

Doctor Pat Rejuvenation & Wellness Clinic

References: NCBI; Salvatore Battaglia "The complete guide to Aromatherapy"; Medical News Journal