Is There a Use for Lemon Seeds?

It's common to hear of people using lemon juice for cooking, cleaning the house and medicinal purposes, such as relieving stress. However, the fruit's seeds also have their own uses.

Lemon Trees

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Lemons are typically grown from seeds, which are planted and sprouted as trees. Lemon trees can stand from 10 feet to 20 feet tall, and can produce fruit for more than 30 years.

Beauty Products

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Oil is extracted from lemon seeds to use in skin lotions and shower gels. It provides a refreshing scent, and moisturizes and nourishes the skin with vitamin C and antioxidants.

Parasite Elimination

Consuming lemon seeds can kill parasites like threadworms. It's recommended that for three or four days, you crush 1 tbsp. of seeds (or 1/2 tbsp. for children), boil them in a cup of milk, strain the mixture and drink it.

Start Lemon Seeds Indoors

Most of the lemons you buy are grown in gorgeous citrus orchards in balmy climates, but you may not realize how easy it can be to grow a lemon plant right in your own home. It might take some time for the lemon seeds you grow indoors to look and taste like the ones you buy at the store, but in the meantime, the plant can be a cheery addition to any home. If you already live in a sunny climate where temperatures don’t regularly dip below about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, you have a great house for a lemon tree sprout. For instance, try not to place it directly under an air conditioning unit since that could significantly cool its space. Once you’ve secured a proper location, you can begin to plant your lemon seeds. There are a few options for starter plants. You can start with seeds from a lemon. If you’re using a grafted tree, make sure you have a pot 6 inches wider and deeper from the very tip of the roots. Some new citrus growers are surprised to learn that the plants usually need more than water and sunlight. Feed your lemon plant with fortification like worm casings, a seafood fertilizer or a plant food designed for citrus plants. If you started with seeds from a lemon, you may have to wait for five or more years before you start to get fruit that resembles the lemons you buy in a store, although you should start to see some interesting lemon-like produce before that.