You are tired and still cannot fall asleep. Instead, you roll from side to side. You get up in the morning exhausted. There can be no talk of restful sleep. Why a sliced lemon by the bed now that changes everything!

Vitamin C is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of a lemon. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system, protect the body from free radical damage, and reduce inflammation. 100 grams of lemon already cover half of an adult's daily requirement of vitamin C. Researchers have now discovered that the mere scent of a lemon already has an effect on our sleep quality.
Lemon scent: how it affects our body.

The scent of a freshly cut lemon wafts through the entire room at lightning speed, leaving an incredibly pleasant smell in its wake. But the scent not only spreads a feel-good atmosphere, it can also have a positive effect on our health.

A study published in the journal Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry now shows that a sliced lemon by the bed can help us sleep better and wake up fresher in the morning. In order to achieve this, however, salt must be added. The researchers recommend putting some lemon slices on a plate and sprinkling some salt on top. The salt enhances the effects of the lemon essential oils. Placed near the bed, the lemon scent not only ensures a pleasant room climate, but also calms the nerves, which in turn can contribute to a better quality of sleep. The happiness hormone serotonin, the production of which is stimulated by the scent of lemons, is the key to restful sleep. It is key to restful sleep and to improving our mood and therefore restful sleep.

Does the scent of lemons also help against diseases?

Some studies have shown that inhaling the scent of lemon, similar to lavender, can help reduce anxiety and stress. It can also help to increase concentration and cognitive performance.

Researchers also assume antimicrobial properties, which can help to strengthen the immune system and ward off pathogens, simply from the scent of the citrus fruit. If you have a cold or respiratory illness, a lemon next to the bed can help to soothe and clear the respiratory tract. A finely chopped onion next to the lemon enhances the effect.
Insects are chased away with a lemon next to the bed.

A sliced lemon next to the bed is a good idea, especially in the warm summer months. Mosquitoes don't like the smell of lemon at all. The smell ensures that the annoying pests do not come to the bed. Even better is studding the lemon slices with cloves and keeping the plate near doors and windows. This deters the insects and they don't even come into the bedroom.

Can you use lemon oil instead of fresh lemon?

Lemon oil is known from the aroma lamp for the pillow or from the aroma lamp. But does it work just as well as fresh lemon? The answer is: only to a limited extent. The smell of the oil is probably enough to also release serotonin and help us fall asleep. However, since lemon oils are usually chemically treated or even completely artificial, the health-promoting active ingredients of a fresh lemon are missing. This means that lemon oils do not help with respiratory diseases or the common cold. Here it is advisable to use a fresh lemon, even if the lemon oil should be completely pure.

Quelle:

Olfactory Influences on Mood and Autonomic, Endocrine, and Immune Function, in: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sarah Schwiete, Medizinredakteurin