Lemons were prized by the ancient Romans as they were a symbol of privilege because of their rarity and because they were only a couple of the citrus fruits in the region. They became a crash crop and although citrus orchards are now common in the Mediterranean, they came from Southeast Asia. "The first remains of the earliest lemon, found in the Roman Forum, date to right around the time of Jesus Christ, the end of the first century BC," said Dafna Langgut, an archaeobotanist at the Tel Aviv University in Israel explained to economictimes.com. "Citrons and lemons were the first citrus fruits to arrive in the Mediterranean and were status symbols for the elite." The Romans discovered the power that lemons had to help fight scurvy and other infections. The Ancient Egyptians believed in the number of life-changing qualities they contained. No wonder, we're running to lemons to boost our overall well-being and here are 8 fabulous ways how.

They boost the immune system.

Lemons contain vitamin C and contain potassium. Try drinking lemon water first thing in the morning as it gives the body a chance to absorb these vitamins. Because lemons help the immune system, many people drink warm lemon water during the day to resist sore throats, colds, touches of flu and other germs. Lemon juice can also help people break fevers by expanding exudation. The supplementation of vitamin C can enhance the human immune system and lemons have plenty of it. "Vitamin C contributes to maintaining the redox integrity of cells and thereby protects them against reactive oxygen species generated during the respiratory burst and in the inflammatory response," Bayer Consumer Care Ltd., Basel, Switzerland found. Lemon essential oil can help with lymph drainage and help flush toxins out of the body and this aids the immune system.

They help oral health.

Lemons are great for toothaches. When lemon juice is applied it reduces inflammation and helps dull the pain. It can also eliminate odors and kills bacteria that may cause gum disease. However, drinking lemon juice can put you at risk for tooth erosion and it can soften the enamel.

They help against insects.

If itchy mosquito bites are making you go mad, grab some lemon juice to get relief. The citric acid will dull the itch and it is an antibacterial. Insects hate lemons so squirt a lemon and water solution around the house and when you're outdoors. This is great for getting rid of ants and nats as well.

They help you lose weight.

Celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow really love their lemons to keep them looking great and to keep the weight off. Experts say that drinking lemon water helps speed up the weight loss process. Lemons do contain pectin, a soluble fiber and it could make you eat less. It may help the body detox, make you feel more energetic and burns fat. But one expert said that's not the case. "Hot water with lemon in and of itself does not cause any actual weight loss," Alissa Rumsey, R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shared with womenshealthmag.com. She added if the liquid is replacing meals or other high-calorie beverages it can result in weight loss.

They help with respiratory disorders.

Lemons can assist in fighting chest infections because they have antibacterial properties. Lemon water can be a natural remedy for allergies and can help break up mucus in the throat. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can help you with asthma as well. Take a tablespoon of the juice with a glass of water, add a pinch of black pepper and drink it after a meal. Repeat this until attacks start to subside.

They can help with indigestion.

Being stressed, smoking, drinking or drinking too much caffeine can hurt your tummy. These factors can worsen underlying conditions that cause indigestion like an ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Lemon juice may help with indigestion problems. Try having a few drops of lemon on your meal to help with indigestion. "It acts as a blood purifier and a cleansing agent, so a good drink after lunch or dinner is fresh lemon soda, which is also called fresh lime soda in many places," organicfacts.com reported.

They keep your skin healthy.

Diluting lemon juice with water can be used to get rid of acne and blackheads. Dab lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out during the day to avoid seeing a dermatologist. Many people report skin improvement after treating their face with lemon juice. Another tip is washing your face with lemon juice – you’ll find that lemons are a natural cleanser and can exfoliate the skin. You’ll see an improvement in your skin’s quality. They also can be used to calm poison ivy and stop the itchiness. If needed, they can diffuse warts and can get rid of toenail fungus.

They help with headaches and pain.

Add a few teaspoons of lemon juice to hot tea with some honey and you’ll find that your headaches disappear. Dab some lemon oil on your temples when dealing with fatigue or stress for relief. Lemon extracts can also help alleviate pain associated with premenstrual syndrome and it could help with the symptoms.

In ancient times people used lemons as a cash commodity. Today we can purchase lemons for just cents and don't need them to trade for goods. We need lemons to continue to be accessible to us. They remain a top contender to support our well-being. They're great for our mental health, physical health and allow us to take care of our skin. There certainly is power in lemons, a gift from Mother Nature.