There’s a good reason that the humble lemon is such an important part of Master Cleanse Fast: it has amazing health benefits.

OK, that sour taste is a little hard to take. But given its natural health benefits, it hurts to see a rotten automobile or any piece of faulty merchandise called “a lemon”! Grown around the world in hot climates, from the middle East to Florida, lemons do not deserve their sour reputation!

The lemon was a favourite medicine of the Romans, who recognized its antiseptic qualities and often used it as an antidote to poisons and insect bites.

But the lemon’s healing powers go far beyond those applications. As well as making a deliciously zesty taste when lightly sprinkled over a wide variety of food, lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C and is often used to help combat colds and flu. It’s very soothing when mixed with a little honey in a warm drink for sore throats.

Some people also swear by the skin-cleansing powers of lemons and they are frequently used to treat acne.

Perhaps most importantly for followers of the Master  Cleanser Fast, lemon juice cleanses the liver and kidneys and is often recommended as a laxative. It is gentle on the stomach and has also been known to relieve colic, vomiting, heartburn and bloating.

American health guru Stanley Burroughs recognized the healing power of lemons when he devised his renowned Master Cleanse Lemonade Fast in 1941. This 10-day natural detox not only flushes and cleans the system but also leads to fast weight loss.

The daily recipe for 8 to 10 glasses (60 ozs) of Burroughs’ natural detox is:

• 60 ounces of filtered water
• 12 Tablespoons of organic grade B maple syrup
• 12 Tablespoons of organic lemon juice
• 1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper powder

A word of warning: do not use concentrated lemon juice as it frequently contains sugar and preservatives – only freshly squeezed lemons will do!

In fact, before you rush into Master Cleanse fasting I strongly recommend you visit the website of Master Cleanse expert Raylen Sterling. She’s published a how-to guide on successfully completing this detox, called Master Cleanse Secrets.

Disclosure: compensated affiliate.