Botanical name: Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck
Family name: Rutaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/312
Vernacular names:
- Hindi: Nimbu
- English: Lemon
- Marathi: Limbu
- Tamil: Elumichai
- Telugu: Nimmakaya
Classification according to:
- Charak: Not classified
- Sushruta: Phala Varga
- Vagbhata: Phala
- Bhav Prakash: Haritakyadi Varga
Habitat & Distribution:
- Cultivated throughout India in gardens and farms; found in tropical and subtropical climates.
Morphology :
- A small thorny tree or shrub
- Leaves are alternate, ovate, and aromatic
- Flowers white, fragrant
- Fruit yellow, oblong-ovoid, juicy, acidic
Varieties:
- Citrus limon (common lemon)
- Citrus limetta (sweet lemon)
Substitute/Adulterant:
- Citron (Citrus medica) is sometimes used as a substitute.
Phytochemicals:
- Limonene
- Citral
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Flavonoids (e.g., hesperidin, naringin)
- Terpenes
Raspanchaka:
- Rasa: Amla (sour), Kashaya (astringent)
- Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Katu
- Prabhava: Deepaniya
- Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Vata hara
Karma – Rogaghnata:
- Deepana
- Pachana
- Krimighna
- Trishna Nigrahana
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:
External:
Used in skin conditions, insect bites, as antiseptic
Internal:Indigestion, nausea, scurvy
Anorexia
Common cold
Used in detox water and as flavoring
Part used: Fruit juice, rind
Dose
- Juice: 10–20 ml
- Rind powder: 1–3 g
Yoga/Formulations:
- Nimbu Satva
- Shadanga Paniya
- Chitrakadi Vati
IUCN Status: Not evaluated
Research updates
1. 2020 – Antioxidant activity of Citrus limon peel extract studied for hepatoprotective potential.
2. 2021 – Lemon juice evaluated for anti-obesity effects via gut microbiota modulation.
3. 2023 – Comparative study on antimicrobial efficacy of Citrus limon essential oil against drug-resistant pathogens.
