Written By:  Hailey Nelson          

Flu season is creeping up on us and many of you are probably already stocking up on medications and tissues.

Besides going to the grocery store and buying high priced medications, you probably already have the ingredients in your house to combat any cold or flu.

It turns out lemon can be used in a variety of ways to help the body save itself from the flu season.

Lemon contains vitamin C, which is an immune booster and prevents the body from getting a cold.

To get the full benefits, choose fresh lemons from the grocery store and try to stay away from pre-packaged lemon juice.

One simple way to incorporate lemon into your everyday routine is by drinking a cold glass of water with lemon juice every morning when you wake up.

The lemon will freshen your breath and wake up your immune system, while the water will be adding extra fluids to the body to combat the dryness of a cough.

For a different take on regular tea, try combining slices of a whole lemon, two pieces of ginger and honey.

Put all of the ingredients in a jar and place it in the fridge overnight and it will slowly become jelly-like.

In the morning scoop two tablespoons into a cup of hot water and let it steep for two minutes.

The combination of the lemon, honey and ginger with help flush out any toxins in the body, help with digestion and settle an upset stomach.

Lemon also has the ability to clean the surfaces around the home and eliminate the bacteria and germs that build up.

To increase the fighting power of your dish detergent, try adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to help break down the stains.

If you are cooking anything that has an unpleasant smell, rub your hands together with hand soap and a teaspoon of lemon juice to neutralize the odor so it will not linger.

So besides buying flu medications and extra dish detergent, lemon is always a great alternative to use for your health and throughout the home.