Magickal Properties of Lemon for Herbalism & Witchcraft

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Lore & History of Lemons

Lemons are a hybrid fruit that gained popularity in occult, culinary, and herbalist practices in the 19th century when they became a cure for scurvy due to their high vitamin C content.

Lemon's culinary use is not only for its citrusy, bright taste. It is known to help neutralize the odor of fish, tenderize meat, prevent the browning of fruits, and increase the bioavailability of iron.

In Western medicine, lemon peel is often used to improve the flavor of infusions and tinctures. Due to its cooling energy, it is also used as a tonic to aid digestion and help with fevers, sore throats, and the respiratory system.

In Chinese medicine, lemon peel promotes qi circulation (liver and spleen). It is considered yin and cooling, which can help prevent the leakage of fluids and energy and "drain" the liver.

In Greek Mythology, some believe the "golden apples" Gaea presented to Hera at her marriage were lemons.

In Hindu mythology, offering a lemon to Maa Kali is believed to help calm her fierce anger.

In Wicca practices, lemon is often used in lunar rituals due to its associations with the moon and its energy for purification and renewal.

In Britain, wives often made lemon pies to help their husbands feel their love and happiness, keeping them home at night.

In folk practices, seeing a lemon means a secret is about to be revealed and resolved. 

While reminding us of the sun's symbolism and attributes of cheerfulness and cleansing, lemons have also been used for binding, exorcism, and death spells in occult practices. A well-known curse, Faturra della morte, includes a green lemon stuck with nails and wire.

 Lemons are well known in dream divination. In folk practices, rubbing bedposts with lemons before bed or carrying a lemon peel would reveal the future husbands in their dreams. In other lore, dreaming of a lemon can warn of a souring friendship, love, or alliance or alert the dreamer that spirits of death and disease are around them.

Magickal Attributes of Lemons

Lemons carry feminine energy and are related to the Sun, moon, and water elements. They are often associated with Diana, Selene, and Maa Kali.

Its occult attributes include Awareness, Confidence, Clarity,  Cleansing, Friendship, Happiness, 

Love, Longevity, Purification, Rejuvenation

Magickal Uses of Lemons

• Serve a lemon pie to a loved one to help them feel loved

• Clean with lemon to purify your space

• Drink lemon tea to promote confidence and clarity

• Use in hexing to help “sour” a situation

• Add lemon slices to a ritual bath to promote self-love

• Cook with lemons to honor the moon and Diana

• Shower will use lemon-based soaps to purify and remove hexes

• Create a simmering pot with lemon for company to promote friendship

• Use lemon juice with sigils to lock mirrors

• Create a lemon-based door wash for purity and protection

• Drink lemonade to bring happiness

• Carry around lemon seeds to bring in love and joy

• Bite into a lemon wedge for motivation

• Add to spells that need longevity

Medicinal Actions of Lemons

In folk medicine, lemons are used for their high Vitamin C content. They are also known to help digestion and are anti-inflammatory. It's often used in tinctures and bitters for its nutritive actions and to enhance the taste.

Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, Antiviral, Astringent, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Nutritive

Energies: Cooling/Drying

*Safety: Lemons have highly volatile oils; be mindful of their use on the body. Eating citrus in excess can inhibit body functions, such as consuming vitamin A. It is not recommended for people with ulcers.

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. St Leonards, Nsw., Dorling Kindersley, 2001.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury, Mn., Llewellyn Publications, 2013.

---. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. Llewellyn Worldwide, 8 Apr. 2012.

Giesecke, Annette, and P Ovidius Naso. The Mythology of Plants : Botanical Lore from Ancient Greece and Rome. Los Angeles, Ca, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2014.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism : The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vt., Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Schulke, Daniel, and Benjamin Vierling. The Green Mysteries an Occult Herbarium. Three Hands Pr, 2017.

Information From the Witch's Kitchen website is for educational purposes only. The From the Witch's Kitchen makes neither medical claim nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The From the Witch's Kitchen neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must research the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.