The sunny colour of lemon reflects its refreshing properties – internally and externally. Popular worldwide in cuisine, preventive and curative medicine, and beauty products, the Citrus limon – a member of the Rutaceae family – is believed originally to have been native to central Asia, possibly northern India and Iran. Its name comes from the Arabic Limun, or Limu, in turn probably deriving from the Sanskrit word Nimbuka.

In Europe lemon trees were first recorded in the second century, in Greece, then Italy. Today, most lemons arriving in Britain come from Spain or Italy.

The clean, fresh smell of lemon makes it a leading choice in commercial household cleaners. Quite often, just using the remains of a squeezed lemon to rub round a bath or sink, for instance, works more effectively, is cheaper and more eco-friendly. Dabbing lemon on perspiration or ink stains may help them disappear. Essential oil of lemon (derived from the peel) when used in deodorisers (such as Weleda’s all natural Citrus Deodorant) can also act as a bactericide when sprayed to freshen up a room.

Key Properties

In skincare products lemon is an excellent astringent and toner. Useful for oily skins prone to acne, it’s reputed to also deter brittle nails, boils, even cold sores, and may help disperse cellulite. Some say rubbing lemon on age spots can help diminish them, but as raw lemon applied directly to skin can cause sun sensitivity, be careful using it on any area likely to be exposed to bright sunlight within 72 hours.

When digested, lemons are probably most famous for curing scurvy in sailors. The rich vitamin C content also helps the body fight off infections, and is an excellent antioxidant, both within the body, and to stop other foods turning brown once exposed to the air.

Once eaten, lemon – although acidic tasting – has an alkalizing effect on the body. Using lemon in food and drinks can help reduce flatulence or heartburn and settle the stomach. Some complementary medical practitioners also recommend using lemon for rheumatism, gout and arthritis, when there’s excess acidity in the body. It’s also sometimes employed to boost the circulatory system.

Cultivation for Weleda

Weleda’s Sicilian fair trading partners, Francesco and Concetta Salamita manage a cooperative (which happens to be called Salamita!), which includes about 100 farms throughout the island. Salamita exclusively cultivates biodynamic lemons.

The headquarters of Salamita is located in Barcellona, a small town along the northern coast of Sicily. All of the produce from each of the individual farms comes together at this location before it is sent to its final destination. First, however, the lemons are washed under spring water with rotating brushes and then dried with little sponges. No artificial preservatives are used.

During the production of Lemon juice, for Weleda products, the lemons are pressed and the juice is either deep-frozen or pasteurized and bottled, then delivered to Weleda. In addition to the juice, the essential oil of the Lemon is used to perfume a wide range of our personal care products. The oil is produced through a special procedure in which the lemons are pressed from the top, while fine razor blades carve into the peel. Through this method approximately 300 grams of essential oil is obtained from 300 kilograms of lemons.

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Weleda products which contain Lemon:

•	Aknedoron Cleansing Lotion	A daily cleanser for troubled skin
•	Aknedoron Purifying Lotion	Intensive care for problem skin
•	Birch Juice	Cleansing & Purifying
•	Birch Elixir	Cleansing & Purifying
•	Blackthorn Elixir	Fortifying & Invigorating
•	Citrus Creamy Body Wash	Refreshing and invigorating
•	Citrus Deodorant	A light, citrus fragrance
•	Citrus Refreshing Cream Bath	Revitalising and stimulating
•	Lemon Balm & Orange Blossom Shampoo	For normal to oily hair
•	Lemon Balm & Orange Blossom Conditioner	For normal to oily hair
•	Refining Toner	Gentle revitalises

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(P) Please note: that medicines with this symbol are only available via a Pharmacy so not available on the Weleda website. You can call Weleda on 0115 944 8222 for further information, including stockists information and how to buy.

No part of the Weleda UK website may be reproduced without the express permission in writing from Weleda UK.

© Weleda 2011