Jambira

Description

Small thorny tree with fragrant white flowers and yellow, sour fruits.The lemon tree produces a pointed oval yellow fruit. Botanically this is a hesperidium, a modified berry with a tough, leathery rind. The rind is divided into an outer colored layer or zest, which is aromatic with essential oils, and an inner layer of white spongy pith. Inside are multiple carpels arranged as radial segments. The seeds develop inside the carpels. The space inside each segment is a locule filled with juice vesicles. Lemons contain many phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenes, and tannins. Their juice contains slightly more citric acid than lime juice (about 47 g/L), nearly twice as much as grapefruit juice, and about five times as much as orange juice.

Useful Parts

Fruit, juice, seeds

Benefits

Treatment of scurvy: citrus limon contains high quantity of vitamin C. The disease is caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C also boost immunity. Antioxidants: They are radical scavengers and prevent diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Weight loss: Lemon juice is combined with honey when used for weight loss. Lemon contains pectin, a soluble fiber that promotes weight loss. Protects the liver: constituent in lemon extract such as naringenin, hesperidin protects the liver against damage induced by acetaminophen. Anti-inflammatory effect: the essential oils and extract from lemon have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. It can be used in insect bite or poison ivy. Antidiabetic effect: citrus limon leaf and peel extract has a strong alpha-amylase inhibition activity. It restored adipocyte insulin sensitivity and function Antimicrobial activity: citrus limon juice and essential oils are antimicrobial. The oil especially the citral and linalool content inhibits Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, and other microbes.Cardioprotective: in studies with rodents, citrus limon prevented thrombosis by prolonging bleeding and thrombin time. Anti-diarrhea effect: The peel prevents secretion and gastrointestinal motility in mice. Acetylcholinesterase/Butylcholinesterase inhibitors: dried leaf powder extract of citrus limon inhibit both acetylcholinesterase and butylcholinesterase in vitro. It was not found to be neurotoxic. Antiulcer effect: citrus limon juice, essential oils and limonene protect the gastric mucosa against irritation. Aromatherapy: In patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment, the essential oils can help to relieve nausea and vomiting. The aromatherapy using citrus limon is also useful in relieving stress, fatigue, mood and tension, nervousness, anxiety, and boost energy. Anticancer effect: citrus limon contains liminoids, compounds which have anticancer activities. The flavonoid eriocitrin, and coumarins may induce apoptosis in acute myelomonocytic leukemia cells. Manage kidney stone: drinking lemon juice raised the citrate levels in the urine. This could prevent calcium stones in the kidney. It can also be mixed with olive oil in treating gall bladder stone, kidney stone. Digestive effect: citrus limon stimulate metabolism. It also relives nausea, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome. Rich in potassium: Potassium helps to regulate the blood pressure. It also works with sodium to maintain water balance in the body. Other fruits like bananas, plantains are rich source of potassium. Urinary tract infection: It can help in urinary tract infection by flushing out uric acids. Sore throat: Mix of lemon juice and honey can be used to relieve the symptoms of sore throat. It also reduces mucus and phlegm. Insect repellent effect: the peel extracts, and the essential oils repel Anopheles, Aedes, Culex mosquitos, as well as insects like carpenter ants. Benefit to skin: Vitamin C helps to improve the skin structure, protect against skin damage by sunlight, and gives a shiny look. Citric acids are also good for treating acne. Using lemon juice and black salt can be beneficial against scorching heat. It is also used with turmeric powder and rose water to improve skin complexion. Citrus limon also eliminates skin odor. Oral health: It prevents bleeding in the gum, prevents toothache, and gives fresh breath. Antiseptic property: It is used to disinfect cuts, abrasions, and scrapes. Antifertility effect: Animal studies suggest citrus limon leaf and seed extract suppressed fertility and decreases in sperm count in male rodents. Antimalarial activity: in a study, lime juice was combined with the antimalarial drug, artemisinin combination therapy. A rapid clearing of the parasite was observed.

Pharmacological Action

Improves digestion Cough relieving Taste enhancing

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Amla, Madhura

Guna: Laghu, Snigdha

Virya: Usna

Vipaka: Amla

Dosha Karma: Kaphavata hara