Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs
Lemons and salt hold symbolic meaning in many cultures. In Mediterranean and Middle Eastern folklore, for example, citrus fruits like lemons are long associated with cleansing and protection. It is traditional in some communities to place a lemon (or citrus bowl) by the bedside or windowsill to “ward off the evil eye” and absorb negative energy. One custom is to cut a lemon in half, leave the halves out overnight on a plate to soak up the day’s heavy vibes, and dispose of them in the morning. Similarly, many cultures use salt for spiritual cleansing. Bowls of salt are often set in the corners of a room or at thresholds to absorb bad energy. In fact, whole households might circle someone with salt, then throw it away, as a way to drive out negativityt. These practices date back generations and are found in folk magic, Hindu puja, Catholic blessed salt rituals, and Japanese Shinto (where salt is placed at entrances for purity).
In Feng Shui (the Chinese art of energy flow), citrus fruits play a role too. A bowl of fresh lemons, oranges, or limes is sometimes placed in the “health” or “wealth” area of a home to bring in good chi (energy). The vibrant color and fragrance of lemons are said to “clear” the space and attract positivity. One Feng Shui practitioner even recommends keeping a bowl of nine lemons in the home to invite prosperity (nine being a lucky number in some schools). While Feng Shui advisors stress that it’s your intention, not just the object, that creates luck, they do agree lemons can “elevate the energy” in a room.
Even in Western folk magic, lemons and salt appear as purifying agents. Traditional Italian lore holds that a hanging lemon (often spiked with cloves) repels evil spirits. Modern Wicca and neo-pagan traditions also use lemon and salt to “break hexes” and cleanse spaces. Overall, the idea is symbolic: the bright, sharp lemon stands for clarity and freshness, and salt represents purity and protection.
These cultural beliefs endure today in different forms. As The Times of India reports in a popular astrology column, many families still use chili-lime or salt-lime rituals to remove the “evil eye”. Social media is full of posts and videos of people chanting mantras over lemons with salt or using this simple setup to “refresh” their home aura. Whether one views it as superstition or symbolic hygiene, the lemon-and-salt practice clearly resonates with diverse traditional remedies around the world.
How to Try the Lemon-and-Salt Trick
If you want to experiment with this remedy, here are some general guidelines gathered from folk practice:
Gather materials. You will need one fresh lemon, a small dish or plate, and some table salt. Some people use coarse sea salt or rock salt, but ordinary salt works too.
Cut the lemon. Slice the lemon into halves or quarters. (Most instructions say four slices or two halves works fine.) The idea is to expose more surface area so the juices and oils can evaporate.
Add salt. Sprinkle a generous pinch of salt onto each lemon slice. The salt may help draw out moisture and oils from the lemon, and many traditions say it “activates” the purifying properties of the citrus. (Whether or not that is scientifically true, salt is an antiseptic in its own right on contact, and it has symbolic meaning as discussed above.)
Place on a plate in the room. Use a plate or bowl to hold the lemon and salt so juices don’t spill. Put it in the center of the room or on a table where it’s noticeable. Some suggest placing it at roughly head height on a table, or on your nightstand, depending on the purpose (e.g. bedtime energy clearing). Choose a spot where the lemon scent can spread (and where pets or children won’t disturb it).
Leave it out briefly. Folk practitioners typically keep the lemon out overnight or for a full day. The common advice is to let it sit until it dries out or starts to look dull, then replace it. Change it frequently. According to one source, people throw out the lemon in the morning after it has done its work. In practice, this means replacing the lemon (and salt) at least daily or every couple of days before mold or decay sets in.
