See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/318360553

Lemon: A Versatile Fruit of Multiple Uses

Article · January 2017

CITATIONS READS

0 2,532

1 author:

Mahendra Pal
Addis Ababa University
412 PUBLICATIONS   1,273 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Narayan Consultancy to give free technical expertise in Veterinary Mycology to the scientists,especially of poorresource nations View project

Survey on Zoonoses View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Mahendra Pal on 12 July 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

52 VERSATILE F RUIT

LEMON:
A VERSATILE FRUIT
OF MULTIPLE USES
Mahendra Pal
Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, 4 Aangan-I,
Anand-388001,Gujarat, India Email: palmahendra2@gmail.com

L
emon is one of the most popular citrus
fruits in the world with multiple uses.
Belonging to flowering plant family Ru-
taceae, it is packed with rich nutrients
and health benefits. In 1493, first lemon tree
in America is planted by the Italian navigator
Christopher Columbus. The major producers of
lemon today are USA, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Spain
and Greece. In India, the cultivation is carried
out in UP, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Pun-
jab.
In India though the most popular variety of cit-
rus fruits cultivated and used is acid lime. It is
grown largely in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, and
to a limited extent in other states of country.
Areas with dry climate and low rainfall are best
suited for growing limes. Lemons can be grown
in heavy rainfall humid regions. The best sea-
son of planting is June to August. Tree can grow
about 12 to 22 feet tall and will start giving
fruits at the age of 3- 6 years. Irrigation water
containing 1000 ppm of salt is injurious to the
growth of the crop. High humidity can favour
several diseases. Frost is injurious and hot wind
during summer results in desiccation and drop
of flowers and young fruits. Average production
is about 700 fruits after stabilization. Life span
of tree is about 15 to 20 years.
Planting of lemon can be a profitable business.
James Lind in 1747 found that lemons are very
useful to treat scurvy, a deficiency of vitamin C.
The researchers claimed that vitamin C plays a
significant role in immunity and helps to neu-
tralize free radicals in our body and thus reduc-
es the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lemon contains many vitamins (niacin, ribofla-
vin, thiamine, choline, pantothenic acid, foliate,
vitamin C, vitamin B6) and minerals (calcium,
copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phos-
phorus, potassium, zinc), which are needed for
human body. It should be stored at room tem-

AGRICULTURE www.krishijagran.com
JUNE 2017
WORLD
perature away from direct sunlight. Lemon is
used as home remedy for many people in India.
However, it is imperative to mention that per-
son suffering from serious illness should seek
expert opinion of the qualified Physicians be-
fore doing self-medication with lemon.
Uses of Lemon
Lemon has very appealing colour, odour and
flavour. People of India regularly used lemon to
treat a wide variety of medical problems since
ancient times. It improves digestion, enhanc-
es our immune system, boosts energy, alkaliz-
es and hydrates the body, reduces mucus and
phlegm, promotes healthy and rejuvenated
skin, boosts brain power and helps in weight
loss.
This fruit is said to reduce inflammation of
joints by removing uric acid from joints. It
has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It
increases absorption of iron. Lemon soothes
the itching and alleviates the rash, reduces the
age spots, and cleanses the face. Lemon water
helps in the enzyme functions in our body stim-
ulating the liver and flushing out toxins. Lemon
juice relieves symptoms of indigestion such as
bloating, burping and heart burn. It can reduce
the effects of nausea, dizziness, and also found
beneficial in chills, fever, headache, respirato-
ry problems, arthritis, diphtheria, rheumatism,
depression, stress, diabetes, cholera, high
blood pressure, heart diseases, indigestion,
constipation, sore throat, internal bleeding,

Lemon
contains many
vitamins (niacin, ribo-
flavin, thiamine, choline,
pantothenic acid, foliate,
vitamin C, vitamin B6) and
minerals (calcium, copper,
iron, manganese, mag-
nesium, phosphorus,
potassium, zinc)

www.krishijagran.com AGRICULTURE
JUNE 2017
WORLD
 54
burns, and obesity.
VERSATILE
Using lemon juice in a glass of water with one
teaspoonful of sugar and pinch of black salt is
a quick and healthy remedy for minimizing the
side effects of scorching heat during summer.
It contains potassium, which is responsible for
controlling high blood pressure. Furthermore,
lemon juice is the best for oral health. It stops
bleeding from gums, mitigate toothaches, and
gives fresh breaths. It is a powerful antiseptic
and can be used for vaginal hygiene.
Juice of half lemon in a bucket of water during
bath will help to remove bad odour of sweat
during summer season. Lemon with turmeric
powder and rose water is used to improve the
skin complexion. It helps to fight skin damage
caused by sun and pollution. Lemon can lend
a wonderful flavour to sauces, salads, desserts,
and drinks. Lemon pickle is a side dish often
seen in Indian dining tables. Lemon can also be
F RUIT
used to preserve the food. Few small pieces of
ginger soaked in lemon juice are eaten before
meal to increase the appetite.
For the hardware industry, it is also a very valu-
able raw material in the manufacture of stain
removers, detergents, perfumes made of oil
extracted from the skin, etc. The used lemon is
cut into small pieces, boiled in water, filtered,
and after adding very small quantity of any de-
tergent powder, can be used to clean utensils.
The scent of lemon is deterrent for pests in the
house.
Daily consumption of lemon water helps to pu-
rify the blood and also significantly improves
mental health. It is a powerful antiseptic and
can be used to disinfect cuts, abrasions and
scrapes. In order to keep good health, it is rec-
ommended that one lemon squeezed in about
150 ml of water must be taken daily in the
morning before going to toilet.

Lemon im-
proves digestion,
enhances our immune
system, boosts energy,
alkalizes and hydrates the
body, reduces mucus and
phlegm, promotes healthy
and rejuvenated skin,
boosts brain pow-
er and helps in
weight loss.

AGRICULTURE www.krishijagran.com
JUNE 2017
WORLD

View publication stats