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Old Wives’ Remedies

The household handbook

Ingredient

lemon

Also known as lemon juice, lemons.

These entries mention lemon. Being listed here does not mean every use is safe or supported — some entries exist to record that a traditional use should be avoided.

Honey and lemon for a cough

A familiar warm drink, with limits worth knowing.

Evidence: Limited evidenceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending

Lemon and salt on chopping boards

A scrub can freshen wood, but it is not how food-safety agencies say to clean boards.

Evidence: Food-safety guidance does not list it as a sanitiserImportant limitationCleaning & home

Lemon juice on rust stains

Rust is hard to shift; the key warning is never to use chlorine bleach.

Evidence: University extension stain guidanceImportant limitationLaundry & stains

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