Magical and Medicinal Uses of Lemon

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Clarity, Cursing, Friendship, Fidelity, Longevity, Love, Money, Purification, Wealth
Magical Uses and History: Lemons have long been one of the most highly regarded citrus fruits, being used not only for cooking but also for healing and magical purposes across the globe. While the origin of the lemon is unknown, records indicate that it was likely first grown in Assam, a region in northeast India, as well as northern China. According to Chinese folklore, a lemon tree and a pomelo tree lived together in an orchard. One day the lemon tree lamented to the pomelo tree that its children were not as well regarded as the children of the pomelo and how she wished the creator had made her a pomelo instead. The pomelo told her not to worry, that the farmer had mentioned how beautiful the lemon tree was and that he intended to graft a branch of the lemon onto the pomelo. The next year, the farmer did just that, creating a hybrid, sweeter lemon. DNA evidence suggests the lemon is the result of a hybrid between a bitter orange and citron, but the fact remains that the lemon cannot exist without the help of others. As such, the lemon represents friendship, togetherness, and happiness (bright yellow after all). Wear lemon essential oil or carry a lemon to attract friends, or place a slice of lemon under the seat of a guest to ensure a long-lasting friendship.

The lemon has also been long associated with love, believed to raise the vibration of love spells, attract a lover, and even ensure fidelity. Lemons were placed on altars for St. Joseph on his feast day and its believed that if a woman steals one of these lemons she will either be married within a year or pregnant within a year. During the Middle Ages, lemons were often used in love potions and were believed to promote adoration, fidelity, commitment, and romance. It was believed that if one dreamed about lemons that it was a sign of good luck to come in relationships. As such, lemons can be used in love spells, sachets, and recipes to attract love, ensure fidelity, and enhance romance. 

The lemon didn't make its way to Europe until around the first century BCE. Because of their rarity, lemons were expensive and therefore only enjoyed by the wealthy, adoring the tables of kings, wealthy merchants, and nobility. It became a symbol of wealth and prosperity and can therefore be used in money spells, prosperity magic, and to attract good fortune. Place lemon peel in your wallet, purse, or cash register to attract money, place it in the kitchen to ensure you're never without, or anoint money with lemon oil for the same purposes.

Apart from friendship, love, and wealth, the lemon is highly regarded for its protective abilities. Part of this likely arises from its ability to stave off illness and disease, including scurvy. In India, lemons were often hung outside of the home with charcoal and chilies (called a nimbu mirchi) to protect against misery and poverty. Alakshmi, the goddess of misery and poverty, is said to follow her sister, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi is said to love sweets while Alakshmi is said to love spicy and sour foods. Placing lemons and chilis outside of the home was believed to keep Alakshimo out, ensuring that only wealth and prosperity were invited in. In Europe, unripe lemons were often stuck with pins (not black) and hung in the home as a charm to attract blessings and luck. As such, lemons can be used in protection spells and rituals, as well as to bring luck and fortune. Wash items in lemon water to cleanse and raise their vibration, hang lemons in the home to protect against misfortune and bring luck, carry lemons to protect against evil, or use the dried peels in incense, teas, or baths or drink lemonade to cleanse and consecrate you and your space.

Finally, the lemon has also been used to curse, the sour nature of the lemon being believed to sour the life or intentions of another. In Europe, lemon cursing charms were often created by sticking a lemon with black pins and tieing it up. As the lemon slowly dried out, so would the wealth, prosperity, and happiness of the target. While much less common, lemons can be used in curses and hexes to sour the life of the target, as seen in my Sour Jar for Reproductive Freedom.

Lemon can be used in a number of spells including:

    Protection Spells
    Love Spells

    Cleansing

    Curses

    Prosperity Magic

Medicinal Uses: Lemons have become increasingly popular among the health and wellness communities, and for a good reason. Lemons are rich in antioxidant bioflavonoids, which help stimulate liver metabolism and detoxification. Their high vitamin C content aids in the absorption of iron, its antiseptic properties can be used to treat mouth ulcers, gingivitis, sore throat, flu, common cold, acne, mild skin abrasions, bug bites, and even mild nail fungus.

Preparation and Dosage: Internally, lemons can be taken as an infusion or used as a mouthwash and gargle. To create an infusion, add 1-2 slices of lemon or the juice from half a lemon to 1 cup of warm water. Drink first thing in the morning or after a meal to stimulate digestion. As a mouthwash or gargle, combine the juice of one lemon with 1 cup of warm water and 1 tsp chili powder. Swish around in your mouth for 1 minute up to 3 times a day. Rinse with plain water immediately after using the mouthwash to prevent acid erosion. Externally, lemon juice can be used as a wash or poultice. To cure acne, dip a cotton ball in fresh lemon juice and apply it directly to your acne. Leave overnight and wash in the morning. To treat eczema or fungal infections, combine 8 drops of lemon essential oil with 1 cup of warm water and one tablespoon of honey. Soak a cloth in the wash and apply directly to the affected area for 15 minutes 2-3 times a day. To create a poultice, apply lemon slices directly to the wound, callous, or corn, and bandage overnight. 

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