Lime (Nimbu)
Also known as
Latin : Citrus limon
English : Lime
Sanskrit : Jambirah
Hindi : Nimbu
Marathi : Limbu
Tamil : Elumiccai
Telugu : Nimma
Malayalam : Uranarakam
Kannada : Limbe
Lemon, like other citrus fruits like amla, orange and sweet orange owes its origin to China, and is best known for its high content of Vitamin C. Very few people know that it more
importantly contains a substance called Vit. P which helps in the assimilation of Vit. C in the body. This places lemon and other fresh citrus fruits above all commercially available
Vit. C tablets which do not serve the second purpose.
How it looks�It is a thorny shrub with spreading branches, aromatic leaves and white flowers. The fruits are large and spherical with pale acrid pulp and many seeds.
What we use�Fruits
What it does�It is digestive, carminative, stimulant, antiseptic, antiscorbutic, laxative, anthelmintic and anti-vertigo.
How we use it�
In
diarrhoea�A mixture of onion juice and lime juice arrests mild diarrhoea, owing to its combination of antiseptic, astringent and nutritive properties.
In
bitter mouth�Due to biliousness and indigestion, a bitter taste might persist in the mouth. Taking a glass of lime juice with a piece of ginger crushed into it is an ideal
remedy.
General tip: Over sweetening the juice decreases its medicinal value. For best results, dilute it and take with a pinch of rock salt.
In
piles�Slit a small lime into two and sprinkle rock salt powder inside. Put this lime into the mouth and suck the juice slowly in. Do this regularly to heal pile masses.
In
cold�Contrary to popular belief, lime is actually ideal in colds and fevers, unless you are specifically allergic to citrus fruits. Dilute lime juice with honey to drink is the
best application in cases of common cold attacks.
In
chronic ear infections�A few drops of filtered lime juice is instilled in the ears (This practice should be avoided in suspicion of a hole in the ear drum or such other ear
damage.)
In
coated tongue�This condition is common after chronic fevers and other illness due to indigestion. Rub a piece of lime over the tongue to clear the deposit.
In
oily skin�Gram flour and honey are added to lime juice and applied as a face mask. In infected pimples, coconut milk is mixed in lime juice along with a few drops of rose petal
juice and applied. After the application dries, it is washed off with cool water.
In
stomatitis and spongy gums�About 10ml of lime juice is held in the mouth. The acid in lime juice kills any microbes causing infection.
In
dandruff�Curd and lime juice on the scalp is a very popular and effective application against dandruff .Also, use a tsp of fresh lime juice in water for the last rinse of hair to
remove stickiness.
In
obesity�It is common knowledge that lime juice diluted and mixed with honey taken regularly, first thing in the morning is slimming apart from being helpful in clearing the
skin.
To
promote hair growth�Equal quantities of dried and powdered lime skin and the aerial roots of banyan are boiled in coconut oil. This oil used after filtering is good to stimulate
hair growth.
In
patchy baldness�Lime seeds and black pepper seeds are ground to a fine paste and applied to the bald patches to stimulate the scalp and induce growth of hair.
To
arrest bleeding�Drink a glass of lime juice with a pinch of alum powder and sugar in it. In nasal bleeding, a few drops of lime juice instilled in the nose effects quick
haemostasis.
In
flatulence�It gives enough relief in excess gas formation when half lemon is squeezed in a cup of water and drunk 2/3 times a day. This will also give immediate relief in vertigo.
