Natural Benefits And Curative Properties
The Juice of fresh lime is being used in medicine from ancient times in Inida. In Vedas, lime has been mentioned as a sacred fruit. Cutting limes after reciting certain Mantras is considered an effective method for driving away evil spirits. Charaka and Sharangdhara, the two famous physicians of ancient India, have mentioned about the therapeutic value of lime in various diseases of bones and joints. The vitamin C content in lime increases the body's resistance of disease, aids the healing of wounds and prevents damage to the eyes. Vitamin C is also helpful in maintaining the health of the teeth and other bones of the body. It prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, bleeding of the gums and fragility of bones.
The rind of the fruit also has medicinal properties.It contains a volatile oil which is used in medicine for improving digestion and removing wind.
Scurvy
As a rich source of Vitamin C, the lime has been regarded as a food of exceptiuonal therapeutic value, It has saved the lives of innumerable crews of ocean-going vessels from scurvy. The Boards of Trade regulations have made it compulsory for the crew to have a supply of lime juice when vegetables are not available.
Digestive disorders
Lime is considered highly beneficial in the treatment of digestive disorders. A teaspoonful of fresh lime juice should be mixed with equal quantity of honey. It should be licked to stop bilious vomiting, indigestion, burning in the chest due to high acidity in the stomach and excessive accumulation of saliva in the mouth.
A teaspoonful of lime juice mixed with water and a pinch of sodabicarb makes an excellent remedy for reducing the acidity in the stomach. It also acts as a powerful carminative in case of indigestion. It produces a marked sedative effect in the stomach due to release of carbonic acid gas.
Constipation
The lime juice is of greate value in constipation, when it is taken as the first thing in the morning in a glass of warm water. In chronic cases. It helps remove the disorder by promoting biliary secretion from liver.
Peptic Ulcers
The citric acid in limes has an alkaline reaction in the reaction in the system. This acid together with the mineral salts present in the juice, helps the digestion by assisting in the absorption of fats and alcohol and by neutalising excessive bile produced by the liver. The juice counteracts the effects of greasy food and reduces gastric acidity. It is, therefore, specially valuable in the treatment of peptic ulcers.
Common cold
Lime is ideal in all types of fevers and coid if taken well-diluted. Vitamin C rich lime juice increases resistance, reduces toxicity and cuts down the course of the illness. Unless one is specifically allergic to citrus fruits, one should not avoid lime in cold. A glass of diluted lime juice prepared in warm water to which a teaspoonful of honey is added, is an ideal remedy for cold and dry cough.
Tonsillitus
Lime has proved effective in the treatment of acute tonsillitis. A fresh lime squeezed in a glass of warm water, with four teaspoonful of honey and a quater teaspoonful of common salt, should be sipped slowly in such cases.
Gums
Lime is valuable in swollen gums. A glass of diluted fresh lime juice mixed with a pinch of rock salt should be taken in this condition. The squeezed lime rind should be rubbed over the gums, before throwing it away.
Gout
The fruit has been used as a remedy in gout and arthritis since long. Vitamin C is known to prevent and cure sore joints by strengthening the connective tissues of the body. The citric acid found in the lime is a solvent of the uric acid which is the primary cause of gout and other disesases of this nature.
Eye Disorders
Lime juice is valuable in eye disorders. Few drops of warm lime-juice diluted with water should be instilled in the yes in case of conjunctivitis. Its regular use with pure water in the ratio of 1:4 is helpful in preventing old-age cataract.
Bleeding piles
A small lime should be slit into two and sprinkled with rock salt powder inside. The lime is then tucked inside the mouth and the juice slowly taken in. Lime juice, with its antharmorrhagic properties and rock salt rich in magnesium sulphate, checks bleeding, help good bowel movement and gradually shrink the pile masses.
Cystitis
Lime has proved valuable in cystitis- i.e. inflammation of urinary bladder. A teaspoonful of lime juice should be put in 180 gm of boiling water. IT should then allowed to cool and 60 gm. of this waer should be given every two hours in this condition. IT gives relief to burning sensation and also stops bleeding in cystitis.
Scorpion sting
When externally applied, fresh lime is highly beneficial in the treatment of scorpion sting. A crystal of potassium permanganate should be put over it. It will have an effect in ten minutes.
Obesity
The lime juice is also excellent for weight reduction. It has a sedactive effect om the nerves. Fresh juice of a lime mixed in a glassful of water and sweetened with honey should be taken every morning on empty stomach in case of obesity. It will reduce the weight in two to three months time. One should however, take low calorie diwt to get the desired results.
Beuty Aid
Lime can be used as a beauty aid. A fresh lime may be squeezed in a fully-boiled glassful of whole milk. A
Precaution
Lime should not be used in excess. The alkaline salts of the lime juice neutralise the free uric acid and percipitate it. It has; therefore,, been found that its excessive use may cause the formation of renal calculi.
Excesssive sucking of fresh lime is also bad for teeth as the acid damages the delicate enamal of the teeth and makes them sensitive. Its excessive use weakens digestion and improverishes the blood.
