5 Ways to Use Lemons

That old adage about "life giving you lemons" is quite unfair to this small, yellow fruit. Sure, it's sour, but it has all sorts of great uses that you've probably never heard about. In this health and food article, we'll show you how to use lemons in 5 great ways. You'll be glad when life gives you lemons, and you'll know that they're good for more than just clichéd phrases and lemonade!

1. Use lemons to deodorize your personal space

That fresh, citrus smell that's popular in commercial cleaners can also be had from the real, natural stuff. Whether it's pet odors, stuffy odors in a closed clothes closet, or stinky food odors like seafood, lemon juice can make a great deodorizer. For wiping down an area, use diluted lemon juice which acts as a quick, natural deodorizer. For your hands, mix some lemon juice with organic, raw sugar for an exfoliating and refreshing wash that will leave you smelling fresh and clean.

2. Use lemons to kill the common cold.

The cold virus may be common, but it's not fun at all. Lemons can help you get rid of that cold! Mix lemon juice with organic honey and stir into a cup of hot water. Sip it like tea. The lemon can help clear you up, the sugar is an energy booster, and the vitamin C found in lemon juice is a bonus perk.

3. Use lemons to polish your fingernails.

Over time, fingernail polish and fingernail paint can leave your nails looking dull and lifeless. Lemons can clear and polish your fingernails to make them gleam like freshly manicured nails. Cut a lemon into wedges and use the wedge to polish your fingernails. The lemon juice will zap those stains and nail colors to leave your fingernails bright.

4. Use lemons to brighten and refresh your skin.

Lemon juice packs a powerful, antioxidant punch that can fade and bleach liver and sun spots and tighten your pores to leave your skin looking smooth and younger. To even out skin tone, dip a cotton ball in freshly squeezed lemon juice and dab on your trouble spots, often on your cheeks and at the corners of your eyes. When you do this repeatedly, the acid and antioxidants in the lemon juice will even your skin tone, help exfoliate your facial skin, and smooth away blemishes. Be careful not to go into the sun when doing this, as lemon juice will make your skin more sensitive to UV rays and will undo the hard work you're putting into your skin!

5. Use lemon juice to sooth your stomach.

It might seem counterintuitive to drink something sour to sooth a tummy ache, but lemon juice mixed with cold water can help calm nausea and upset stomachs. Mmm mmm good!