Lemon Sorbet

Without lemons, the world would be a completely different place. Imagine childhood without lemonade, a sore throat without lemon-honey tea, or summer without lemony baked goods. It’s true for limes, too—think of life without guacamole, key lime pie, and limeade. Lemons and limes are an essential part of our human fabric, woven through from ancient to modern times. Is it just their taste that we love so much, though, or is it more than that? Could it be the remarkable healing power of lemons and limes that’s drawn us to them throughout the ages? 

The roots of lemon and lime trees go deep into the earth, extracting dozens of precious trace minerals that get passed onto you when you consume the fruits. Lemons and limes are ultrahydrating and electrolyte-producing, because they are a top source of mineral salts and trace mineral salts. Traces of bioavailable sodium in lemons and limes are a driving force in the value they offer our bodies. 

These citrus siblings have some of the most highly absorbable vitamin C around. And you often hear people concerned about where to get their calcium. Look no further than fresh-squeezed lemon or lime, which offers bio- active calcium that your body craves. Plus, phytochemicals called limonoids in lemons and limes actually bond the vitamin C and calcium together, so that wherever one goes in the body, the other rides along. This enhances the bio-availability of each, and also creates alkalinity in the body to help prevent the growth of almost every type of cancer. The antioxidant flavonoids in lemons and limes are another ally in fighting disease. And when you’re dealing with a cold, flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia, lemon is one of the most effective mucus expellers you can find. Lemons and limes are also amazing cleansers of the liver, kidneys, spleen, thyroid, and gallbladder. They purge the many toxic substances we collect from exposure to plastics, synthetic chemicals, radiation, and poor food choices. 

When going through any sort of detox process, even if it’s just increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet, it’s a good idea to drink lemon or lime water first thing in the morning. Going through detox without drinking enough water is like taking the trash to the curb with no waste-management service to pick it up. Once detoxification has drawn the gunk out of your cells and tissues (your liver does much of its work overnight), it needs to be flushed out when you wake up—otherwise, those toxins settle back in. Lemon or lime water is more beneficial for this process than plain water, because filtration has often taken the life out of drinking water, and these citrus stars reawaken its healing abilities. 

CONDITIONS 

If you have any of the following conditions, try bringing lemons and/or limes into your life: 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), staph infections, kidney disease, kidney stones, gallstones, pancreatitis, rosacea, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, obesity, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), mystery infertility, diabetes, adrenal fatigue, influenza, nutrient absorption issues, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), head colds, herpes, acne, all types of cancer, strep throat, low reproductive system battery, atrial fibrillation, chronic ear infections, hepatitis C, anxiety, migraines, insomnia, hypertension 

SYMPTOMS 

If you have any of the following symptoms, try bringing lemons and/or limes into your life: 

Muscle pain, postnasal drip, earache, Candida overgrowth, digestive discomfort, acid reflux, toothache, fever, dry mouth, excess mucus, nausea, unquenchable thirst, arrhythmia, food allergies, vaginal discharge, sinus discharge, low hydrochloric acid, vomiting, weight gain, cough, headaches, tremors, heartburn, belching, blood sugar imbalances, blurred vision, fluid retention, head pain, high cortisol, appendix inflammation, nervousness, dehydration 

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 

Lemon or lime is the ideal soother when you’ve been rattled by difficult news. These wonder fruits can alter feelings of sadness, distress, and worry, helping to lift the spirits, lighten the heart, and reverse melancholy during troubled times. 

SPIRITUAL LESSON 

If you look at the branches of a lemon or lime tree, you’ll see thorns. This is because these trees are extremely protective and want to ensure that only the most deserving and careful people harvest their fruit—and only slowly, over time. You can’t just go mindlessly picking a lemon or lime tree bare; it takes mindful appreciation to gather each fruit. 

The same is true of human relationships. You may have observed that some people have their guards up—they’re prickly—or you may have heard this about yourself. Like thorns on a lemon or lime tree, this self-protectiveness is a natural defense mechanism we use to prevent others from coming in and only taking. What we really want, just like lemon and lime trees, is a fruitful relationship of mutual respect, admiration, and symbiosis with those around us. Sometimes it takes a little poke to remind us to take care with each other. 

TIPS 

* If there’s someone important in your life and you’d like to see your relationship continue to develop, sit down together and drink tea with lemon. This will enhance conversation, allowing you both to open up and further your involvement.

* Try drinking two 16-ounce glasses of water (with half a lemon or lime squeezed into each) just after waking up, then give your liver half an hour to clean up before eating breakfast.

* Though you may think you should avoid getting citrus in a cut, fresh lemon or lime juice squeezed on a small cut or abrasion is a powerful disinfecting, antibacterial aid; it can even prevent staph infections.

* Contrary to popular belief, lemon and lime juice is excellent for oral health. Dilute the juice with some water to make the best antibacterial mouthwash and gum cleanser.

* If you have difficulty sleeping, a cup of warm water with raw honey and lemon or lime juice squeezed into it can calm busy electrical impulses and neurotransmitters, and aid in a restful sleep. 


LEMON SORBET

It doesn’t get any more refreshing than a lemon sorbet with a hint of honey and sage. This sorbet is so easy to bring together and keeps well in the freezer for up to three weeks. Enjoy it as an after-dinner treat or a sweet palate cleanser any time of day.

• 3/4 cup honey
• 3 sage leaves
• 11/2 cups water
• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice (from about 6 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Combine the honey, sage leaves, and 11⁄2 cups water in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat until the honey dissolves completely. Add the lemon juice and zest. Stir well and cool in the refrigerator. Remove the sage leaves and discard. Place the remaining mixture in an ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have an ice cream machine, place the mixture in a bowl and set in the freezer; stir well every 30 minutes until the desired consistency is reached. 

Makes 3 to 4 servings

Excerpt from the #1 New York Times bestselling book Life-Changing Foods 

This item posted: 01-Jan-2018

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