8.4.11

Our Garden: Uses for Lemons, Limes and Oranges

Our garden is a sanctuary.  We love planning, working in and enjoying our space.  Much of what we plant is with the intention of using it.  I love to use what we grow in cooking, topically and dried for teas.  I am showcasing some of the things we have in our garden and what their medicinal uses and magical  powers are.  If you missed Aloe and Lavender you may check it out here.
We live in a climate where citrus fruit is able to grow but even if you don’t- Lemons, Limes and Oranges are easy to get almost anywhere.  I opted not to use photos from our garden as the buds are just growing in now and there is not much to see.  Today the scent of the blossoms is amazing and its fragrance is attracting friendly bees.  To see some of our harvest from last year and what we made with it check it out here.

Here are some of their uses: 
LEMON: From the citrus family all parts of the fruit can be used including the peel. It is high in vitamin C and essential oils are made using the peel. 
Ingested it can be used to treat acne, brittle nails, insect bites, mouth ulcers, throat infections, warts, arthritis, high blood pressure, obesity, poor circulation, varicose veins, asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, fever and infections.  
The oils and aromatherapy uses include: refreshing, mental stimulation, purifying, reviving, strengthening and soothing. 
Lemon can be dried sliced and added to teas or the peel can be dried alone to add some zest to teas.  
LIME: From the citrus family is a bush.  It is high in vitamin C and essential oils are made using the peel.  Lime may be used as an antiseptic, antiviral and bactericide.  It can also be used as a restorative tonic.  Like the lemon is is useful in treating: acne, brittle nails, insect bites, mouth ulcers, throat infections, warts, arthritis, high blood pressure, obesity, poor circulation, varicose veins, asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, fever and infections.  
ORANGE: From the citrus family it grows on a tree and is generally sweet in taste. 
It shares many similar characteristics to the Lemon and Lime.  The peel is used in incense or potpourri to promote love, good fortune, balance, healing, harmony, wealth, psychic awareness and good luck.  It is an auspicious scent that can be used in any purification ritual. 
Orange can be used to treat oily complexions, water retention, bronchitis, chills, colds, flu, constipation, nervous tension and stress.
As with Lemons and Limes it can be made into teas and tonics and has an uplifting and soothing affect .  


What are some of the ways you use these fruits? 

27 comments:

Sally Tharpe Rowles said...

Ren, you are so lucky to live in a climate where you can grow citrus trees in your own garden. How wonderful! I loved reading about each fruit. When I was a child my grandmother had an orange tree in her garden & I can remember the sweet smell of the orange blossoms. Your garden must be so fragrant right about now.

Lady Grey said...

I'm so jealous of your climate!! I would love to be able to grow citrus fruit in the garden. Amazing!
xo

Lady Grey said...

I'm so jealous of your climate!! I would love to be able to grow citrus fruit in the garden. Amazing!
xo

Brandi said...

Citrus fruit is one of my favorites to work with. I have awesome recipes for a Citrus Olive Oil cake and Orange Ricotta Pancakes with Orange Syrup (I need to make those again soon). That's my usual course of inspiration. You're so lucky you can grow them in your garden!

Hannah {Culture Connoisseur} said...

This is great! I live in Florida so we have tons of citrus lying around. I mostly use them for eating (yum!) but also will use lemons to clean my garbage disposal and fight odors in the sink.

Bossy Betty said...

We have a lemon tree in our back yard and I love it! What a luxury to go and pick them.

Pet said...

I love a jug of limonade while reading a book under the shadow of a tree.
You may try this easy recipe too, it is unexpectedly good:
http://pencilandbox.blogspot.com/2010/11/valencia-oranges.html
I hope you like it. There are more sofisticated variations, as you can see in The Minimalist - also very good - but the simple orange slices with a pinch of salt and olive oil, enhances somehow its flavour.

design elements said...

this is great! lucky you...lovely greetings

liza said...

Marvelous!! Thank you for all the ways to use citrus, as we mostly just enjoy the taste. And, oh how I wish we could grow them here. Happy weekend to you, Ren!

Sara Szatmary said...

I always have a lemon or two in our kitchen-- so delicious, so versatile!

Mama Gone Green said...

i am jealous that you have those in your own backyard! portland is definitely not citrus growing country!

A Crimson Kiss said...

Gah, citrus is my favorite. Lemon and limeades are always being mixed up in our house, and we use lemon juice instead of vinegar in salad dressings. How I adore a little hint of lemon or lime!

tulpen said...

We do plant a garden, but none of that citrus stuff, doubt we could pull that off here in the northeast.

We DO grow a shitload of tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, broccoli and I forget what else. Planting is mostly up to my husband, but I love tending to it once it is all in the ground.

Pearl said...

I have to admit that any time I am in an area that is able to grow citrus I am ridiculously amused. :-)

Oranges. Outside. Amazing!

Pearl

Signe said...

I love anything citrus!
Orange for my juice, lime for my corona and lemon for my tea :)

Hugs and a lovely weekend to you Lady Ren!

Pistachio said...

wow your yard must smell amazing when all those trees are in bloom. Must be like heaven!

k said...

I looove using lemons, I use them for so much, I happen to think anything tastes better with lemons!! I'm excited to catch up on your blog since I've been gone :)

Shari said...

I'd love, love, LOVE to switch out our palm trees for some citrus trees!

Kimia Kline said...

i love citrus infused teas. i'll usually make myself a cup of lemon ginger every night :) yummmm.

Unknown said...

I love reading about the benefits of different types of plants. It is all just so amazing. I get mouth ulcers from time to time and boy are they painful, I'll have to try and see if eating more lemons helps!

jacqueline said...

Dearest sweet ren, your garden must be really gorgeous and pop with inspiring colors. My papa does the same too, he just love gardering and he grows vegies and fruits and uses it in our daily meals!
I love lemon lots and i always pop a slice or two in my water. Truly refresing! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to yoU!

Mice Aliling said...

Oooh beautiful colors. I live in the city an dit's crowded and congested. I only have a couple of pots of herbs. Now that we have moved to a slightly bigger house, I may add a couple after all the whirlwind of organizing and sorting is done :)

heather said...

i like reading about the healing properties of citrus. i just about always squish lemon juice onto my salads and am bummed when we don't have a lemon around to do so. i also use lemon and orange zest in baking a lot (back when i baked a lot more). limes i must say i don't use as often, even though i absolutely adore them. will have to remedy that. hope you are having a wonderful citrus happy weekend.

Traveling Distances said...

I love the idea of growing fruits and vegetables and using them at home. Lemon and lime scents are my favorite- they just smell clean and invigorating.

Kristin H said...

How lucky you are to have this in your garden! What a dream! Have a wonderful day!

Diana Mieczan said...

One of my dreams is to grow my own fruits one day. I love all the great info about each fruit. I use a lot of lemons in my home for colds but I didnt know that they are so good for high blood pressure. Thanks so much and wish you a lovely Monday
Kisses

Ps: I’m hosting a super cute Ruche GIVEAWAY today! Hope you’ll join in :)

Anonymous said...

I adore Lemons! I use it to clean it around the house ( i make my own detergents) and love the smell. And I always have a lemon and orange fresh juice in the morning. haven't had a cold in six years.

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