Next time you juice a lemon, think twice before tossing those seeds. Small but mighty, lemon seeds are packed with benefits, from natural pest control to skin care and even gardening hacks.
Whether you’re brewing tea, planting your own lemon tree, or creating a citrusy room freshener, these often-overlooked seeds can help you live more sustainably while adding a refreshing touch to your home and health routine.
Why Lemon Seeds Are Good for You
You might be tempted to toss lemon seeds, but they offer a range of benefits that make them worth keeping:
- Natural Flavoring: Rich in limonene. lemon seed oil can be used for a fresh, citrusy flavor in food and drinks. (ref) Add a few drops to your salad dressings, marinades, or even desserts for a pop of sunny lemon flavor that’ll have your taste buds dancing a citrusy tango.
- Packed with Antioxidants: Limonene’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties support your body’s natural defenses. (ref) Plus, the limonoids extracted from the lemon seeds have shown the ability to reduce the growth of breast cancer cells and block aromatase activity in humans. (ref)
- Essential Oils Source: The seeds are a source of essential oils that offer therapeutic uses like reducing stress. Add a few drops to your diffuser, or your bath, or even massage it into your skin for a fragrant and calming experience.
- Pest Control: Limonene, the main component of the oil extracted from lemon seeds, is a natural pesticide that packs a punch against pesky bugs without the toxic side effects of traditional pesticides, and it’s also safe for people, pets, and the environment.
- Better Sleep: A recent study on mice showed that these tiny seeds can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep for longer, and won’t leave you groggy or out of sorts in the morning. (ref) Simply add a few drops of lemon seed extract to your nighttime routine and let the magic begin.
By saving lemon seeds, you get a variety of benefits for your health, flavor, and home.
How You Can Use Lemon Seeds
With its many uses beyond just being discarded, here’s how you can make the most of lemon seeds:
1. Plant Your Lemon Tree at Home
Growing a lemon tree at home is easy and rewarding. It can give you fresh lemons and a lovely plant to care for.
How to Plant:
- Save a few lemon seeds from your fruit.
- Rinse off the seeds and let them dry for a day.
- Plant the seeds in a small pot with well-drained soil.
- Bury the seeds about 1/2 inch deep.
- Water lightly and keep the pot in a sunny spot.
- Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Once your lemon tree is growing, be patient and take good care of it, and soon you’ll have a thriving tree that can produce fresh, homegrown lemons for you to enjoy!
2. Use Lemon Seeds for Pest Control in Your Garden
Lemon seeds can help keep pests away from your plants naturally, without using harmful chemicals.
How to Use Lemon Seeds for Pest Control:
- Crush several lemon seeds.
- Mix them with water and let them soak overnight.
- Strain out the seeds and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture on your plants to repel pests like ants and aphids.
This natural solution is a safe way to protect your garden from unwanted pests.
3. Enjoy Lemon Seed Tea for Better Skin & Digestion
Lemon seed tea can be soothing and offer benefits for your skin and digestion. It has natural properties that help your body feel refreshed.
How to Make Lemon Seed Tea:
- Crush 2-3 lemon seeds.
- Boil them in 2 cups of water for about 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the seeds and pour the tea into a cup.
- Drink the tea while it’s warm for its soothing effects on your skin and digestion.
Sip on this tea to enjoy its calming and rejuvenating effects.
4. Create an Exfoliating Scrub for Your Skin
Lemon seeds can be ground into a natural exfoliating scrub for your skin, removing dead cells and leaving your skin smooth.
How to Make the Scrub:
- Grind 1-2 tablespoons of dried lemon seeds into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
- Mix the powder with 1 tablespoon of honey or olive oil to make a paste.
- Gently rub the scrub onto your face or body in circular motions.
- Rinse with warm water to reveal soft, smooth skin.
This scrub will leave your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
5. Make a Natural Antibacterial Cleaner
Lemon seeds have natural antibacterial properties that can help clean surfaces around your home without harsh chemicals.
How to Make the Cleaner:
- Collect lemon seeds and crush them.
- Soak the crushed seeds in a cup of warm water for a few hours.
- Strain the mixture to remove solid parts.
- Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water to the liquid.
- Use a spray bottle to store the solution.
- Spray on surfaces and wipe clean.
This homemade cleaner is a simple and eco-friendly way to disinfect your space.
6. Boost Your Compost with Lemon Seeds
Lemon seeds can enhance your compost, adding nutrients that help your plants grow stronger. They break down over time and provide a natural source of minerals.
How to Use Lemon Seeds in Compost:
- Collect and crush your lemon seeds.
- Add them to your compost pile or bin.
- Mix them with other organic waste like fruit peels and leaves.
- Turn your compost regularly to ensure it breaks down properly.
- Over time, the seeds will decompose and enrich your soil.
In time, the seeds will break down and enhance your soil’s quality.
7. Make Your Own Lemon Seed Essential Oil
Lemon seed oil has many potential uses for your skin and health. You can make it yourself, saving money and avoiding chemicals in store-bought oils.
How to Make Lemon Seed Essential Oil:
- Collect a handful of lemon seeds.
- Dry the seeds and grind them into a fine powder.
- Place the powder in a jar and cover it with a carrier oil, like olive or coconut oil.
- Let the mixture sit in a warm spot for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
- Strain the oil and store it in a clean bottle.
Once ready, you’ll have your own natural, chemical-free oil to use.
8. Freshen Up Your Room with Lemon Seed Fragrance
Lemon seed fragrance can bring a fresh, citrusy scent to your home. It’s a natural way to make your space smell inviting.
How to Make a Lemon Seed Room Freshener:
- Collect a few lemon seeds and crush them.
- Boil them in water for about 15 minutes.
- Pour the water into a spray bottle and use it to mist the air in your room.
- You can also add a few drops of lemon essential oil for extra fragrance.
This simple solution will leave your room smelling fresh and vibrant!
As you can see, these small seeds are packed with benefits that can help you live more sustainably while making use of every part of the fruit. So, why not start saving those seeds and put them to work for you?
Read Next:
- How to Grow Your Own Lemons from Seeds in 9 Simple Steps
- Are Lemons Man Made? Created in a Lab, or Natural? (Explained)
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.