I am a gal that gets excited about the simple pleasures in life, such as freshly picked lemons. My family and I went on a short trip to Arizona recently and I went absolutely bonkers when I discovered how many lemon trees there were with tons of ripe fruit just dangling on the branches and scattered all over the ground. I couldn’t believe that no one was picking the lemons and using them. So we harvested away….

We made many batches of fresh lemonade and I used lemons in the dishes I prepared, but my greatest joy was fresh hot lemon honey water first thing in the morning. It is a simple, inexpensive and effective morning elixir of health. Just boil 2 cups of water, add the juice of 1/2 lemon and add 1 TBS raw honey. Drink warm. This beverage clears away congestion and mucus, stimulates digestion and cleanses ama. Perfect timing for clearing excess Kapha that has accumulated over the winter and for clearing seasonal allergy congestion.

In Ayurveda we look at the nature and qualities of herbs and foods to see if they are beneficial for us. Lemons have a sour and astringent taste (rasa), are cool in energy (virya), and sour in post digestive effect (vipaka). They decrease Vata and Kapha and when taken in excess aggravate Pitta (due to its sour/acid nature). So if you are Vata and Kapha type, lemons can be used freely. Pitta can use occasionally.

Lemon juice has so many uses- as a gargle for sore throats and a mouth rinse to reduce bleeding gums. It liquifies and expectorates mucus from the lungs, increases the flow of bile by flushing the liver and gall bladder and acts as a gentle laxative. Squeeze lemon on your itching bug bites for relief and add it to house cleaning products for an extra lemony scent and cutting grime.

So, pick up some lemons at your favorite place to shop and have them on hand for your juicing pleasure.