Power of the lemon

When life gives you lemons, use them for cooking, cleaning, as a
bleach and for just about anything else.

ORIGINATING from Asia, lemons were brought to Europe during the time
of Ancient Rome. Known for its antiseptic properties in the ancient
civilisations of China, India and Mesopotamia, it was used then as a
poison antidote.

Around the year 1000, Arab traders who brought it to Sicily, Italy
helped the fruit to further proliferate in the European continent. And
the rest, as they say, is history.

The lemon is a highly acidic fruit, its juice containing about five to
six per cent citric acid. This doesn’t only lend the fruit the sour
and zesty smell and taste that we like, it also makes it an excellent
agent for numerous household tasks and remedies.

Popular remedy: A cup of hot water with some honey and a few slices
of lemon provides relief for coughs.
Easily available in Malaysia at just RM1 (or less) a pop, here’s how
you can make a lemon work for you.

Clean and freshen

Long touted by detergent makers for its amazing cleaning power, lemon
juice is able to dissolve grease and grime. Use the juice to wash away
soap crust and hard water deposit. It can also be used to clean and
shine brass and copper.

When mixed with other substances, the lemon can work further magic.
For example, to make a hardwood furniture polish, combine 1 cup olive
oil with 1/2 cup lemon juice.

To clean dishes and stains, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking
soda on the exposed section and scrub away.

Ever coveted the whiteness of hotel sheets? Instead of using bleach
that may weaken fabrics, add a quarter cup of lemon juice to the
washing machine with warm water.

Even the peel can be used to freshen the air: Leave them in garbage
disposal bins for a nice scent or in pots to deter cats from digging
into your potted plants.

When dried, the peel is also a natural moth deterrent. Instead of
having your clothes smell of mothballs, toss some into drawers or wrap
the peel up in cheesecloth and place in the wardrobe.

Pest control

Some chemical sprays are harmful to humans and pets. Instead of using
those, consider barring ants from entering the home by setting lemon
juice at the entry point.

Lemon can also be used as a flea deterrent. Prepare a mixture by
pouring a cup of boiling water over a sliced lemon. Allow it to soak
overnight and sponge it on your dogs or cats to keep those parasites
away.

Health and beauty

To keep blackheads away, use lemon juice on affected areas two to
three times a day. Acting as a natural astringent, this will help
tighten pores and make the skin less prone to developing blackheads.

Dark scars can be alleviated with lemon juice. Simply apply the juice
and leave for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. However, as
lemon makes the skin photosensitive, it would be wise to stay indoors
after treatment.

Get headache relief by drinking a cup of tea with the juice of three
or four slices of lemon. To treat coughs caused by cold, allergies or
infections, take lemon juice with honey instead. The juice, in this
case, will act as a natural antihistamine to reduce congestion.

Cooking fixes

Lemon juice is a natural short-term preservative that can be used on
freshly cut fruits such as apples and bananas. To prevent a brown,
unappetising colour, rub some all over the cut fruits.

Give lettuce a pick-me-up by soaking it in a bowl of cold water
infused with lemon juice for one hour.

A lemon is also a great fix-it for over-seasoned food. If the soup is
too salty, then add some sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice. If it’s
too sweet, then add salt and lemon juice.

To preserve the yellow colour of sweet corn, add a teaspoon of lemon
juice to cooking water a minute before removing from heat.


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