This small yellow-green fruit packs a punch. It can be used for a number of ailments and could be your answer to staying healthy and fit.

Here are some common problems and ailments which can easily be cured with lemons.

Colds, sore throats:

For relief, mix a teaspoon of honey and the juice of one lemon, in a glass of water and drink every two hours.

Another remedy is a clove of crushed garlic, mixed with half-a-lemon and sweetened with honey. This usually clears up anything you may be “coming down with”.

Mouthwash:

Lemons are more natural than fluoride and effective in removing plaque. They also whiten and strengthen tooth enamel.

Asthma:

One tablespoon of pure lemon juice before each meal relieves asthma.

Excessive menstruation:

Consuming the juice of 3-4 lemons a day will help.

For kids:

Rub the body with two halves of a lemon to open the pores of the skin and release the body heat.

Fevers:

Hot water and lemon juice will support and speed up the fevering process, helping the body fight infections or toxins. Without the fever, the immune system has fewer ways to combat the disease. However, if there are bowel problems this should be avoided.

Diphtheria:

Use pure lemon juice every hour as a gargle and swallow some until it cuts loose the false membrane in the throat.

Toxins:

Squeeze some lemon juice into warm water and drink it to help cleanse the body of toxins .

Clearing blemishes:

Lemons can be rubbed directly onto skin and left for about two hours before rinsing to clear skin. This is good to reduce wrinkles and treat blemishes. The treatment will work better if followed by olive oil after rinsing. It works by speeding up skin renewal and uncovering a fresh new layer of skin. However, it is important not to do this before going out in the sun as it will have a bleaching effect.

As a cleanser, beat an egg white with lemon juice and honey. Leave to dry on face for a few minutes then wash with warm water.

Hair tonic:

Massage some lemon juice onto hair and leave it for a while before rinsing. Again, do not do this before going in the sun. This treatment is especially good for greasy hair as it will regulate the sebaceous glands which produce oil and make the hair shine and prevent dandruff.

Chilblains:

Rub a slice of lemon dipped in coarse sea salt on unbroken affected skin to clear chilblains.

Itches:

Rub fresh lemon juice on the itching area.

Acne:

To help against acne, mix one teaspoon lemon juice with one teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder. Apply on affected areas frequently.

For acne spots, apply lemon juice with a cotton bud as bactericide.