Do you remember the song “Put the lime in the coconut and shake it up?

Click here to refresh your memory and have fun!  I challenge you to SIT STILL.

Well, today I will be writing about a wonderful fruit- the LIME.

This small fruit comes with a powerful punch. It can be used alone, combined with other foods to increase the nutrition of any meal and/or can be topically applied to enhance the health of our skin and hair. The uses are endless.

Limes are packed with Vitamin C and offer phytonutrients with antioxidant and antibiotic effects that support optimal health.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Contains the antioxidant, flavonol glycosides-containing kaempferol ( I know big words), which have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cells as well as have antibiotic effects.

• High in Vitamin C (48%). Vitamin C is the most important antioxidant in nature and is a real winner. This vitamin goes through the body neutralizing free radicals. Why should you care about free radicals? There is nothing free or good about them. One reason, they DESTROY healthy cells and the membranes which can result in inflammation and painful swelling in the body. Vitamin C can help prevent development or progression of atherosclerosis and build a strong immune system

• Lime Juice and its natural oils are beneficial for our skin due to its antibiotic and vitamin C compounds. It can also help with body odor!

• Contains a compound, limonoids. These compounds have been shown to fight cancer in the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.

• Limes aid in digestion through its irresistible scent. This gets your saliva glands going and then the natural acidity of the lime does the rest. The flavonoids stimulate the digestive system, which helps with digestion.

Lime and its juice can be consumed in smoothies, juices, jams, cocktails and snacks. The summer is a perfect time to make a refreshing infused water with limes and mint – yummy.

The skin/peel and oil can be applied topically to benefit the skin and the hair.

SELECTION AND STORAGE

• They are at their BEST in the summer.
• When choosing limes look for ones that are firm and heavy for its size.
• They should have a glossy skin and deep green color.
• They can be kept out at room temperature and will be good for one week or refrigerate for up to 10 days.
• Keep away from sunlight.
• Make sure to wash the skin before cutting to remove any bacteria.
• Conventional limes may be covered in wax to prevent bruising so choose organically grown limes, when possible.

RECIPES

FOOD

I used lime juice (actually my Young Living Vitality Lime essential oil) in the watermelon juice I shared on my Facebook page.

To go along with the song……….

10-MINUTE LIME COCONUT COOLER

(Taken from the Worlds Healthiest Foods)

1 cup canned coconut milk

¼ cup lime juice (2-3 limes)

1/3 cup mint leaves

4 TBS honey

2 cups crushed ice.

Place all ingredients except ice in a blender and mix until honey is dissolved.

Add the ice and mix for 5-10 seconds until ice is shaved.

Garnish with mint.

SKIN

Did you know that lime juice is a natural bleaching agent and can help with the age spots? Apply lime juice with a cotton ball and leave for 30 minutes to the darkened spots.

You can scrub your skin with the lime peel or apply a face mask containing bits of lime peel to reduce hyperpigmentation and reduce the production of melanin that can lead to aging skin.

The citric acid in limes helps to slough off dead skin cells.

With all of these skin recipes, avoid the sun as lime juice can make your skin sensitive to the sunlight.

HAIR

Lime juice contains citric acid which has been shown to reduce dandruff. Try rinsing your hair with lime juice to see its effects. If your scalp gets dry, add a little olive, coconut or almond oil.

It can also aid in hair growth, make hair shiny, and lighten the hair.

Who would have thought that small fruit could offer so much!

ENJOY THIS GRAPHIC TO SUMMARIZE THE INFORMATION!

http://foodfacts.mercola.com/lime.html