“Martha Stewart showed up at Manhattan FBI Headquarters to have her finger prints taken and pose for a mug shot. Then Martha explained how to get ink off your fingers using seltzer water and lemon juice,” said Conan O’Brien.

Ok, Conan meant that as a joke, but thrifty and smart families know some of the real (and sometimes surprising) uses for lemons – the special fruit with practical and health benefits dating back centuries.

Ancient Egyptians believed that lemons provided protection against a variety of poisons. Today it’s known that lemons have antibacterial and immune-boosting powers, can help with weight loss and digestion problems, and make a thrifty natural cleaning product.

Here are a few of the medicinal uses for lemons and lemon juice:

A few drops of juice in hot water are believed to clear the digestive system and purify the liver.
Lemon juice makes an effective mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens teeth and strengthens the enamel.
Added with a pinch of salt in warm water lowers cholesterol levels and aids in weight loss.
Apply to the sites of bites and stings of certain insects relieves its poison and pain.
Use as a hair rinse controls dandruff and makes hair shiny and soft.
Lemon juice can be used to treat acne.
Remove odors, such as fish, onion, or bleach by rubbing with fresh lemon.

Lemon juice for cleaning:

Clean pots and pans with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda.
Mix with olive oil to make a great furniture polish.
Brighten your white laundry by adding to the wash.
Use to remove soap scum in your bath and shower.
Lemon juice can be used to clean and shine brass and copper

Better known uses for lemons – cooking and garnishing:

Old-Fashioned Lemonade!
Lemon cake.
Lemon chicken.
Garnish for drinks, soups, and desserts.
Used as a marinade to help tenderize tougher cuts of meat.
Help vegetables such as potatoes and turnips maintain their white color.

Lemons are versatile – having many more uses than included here. Remember they need to be stored in the refrigerator.

Maybe it’s actually a lemon a day that keeps the doctor away!