Doctor Bon

Citrus aurantifolia synonymous to Citrus medica variety acida, commonly called sour lime, is one of the most widely used citrus fruits of India. The fruit, used for culinary purposes, are sold in markets almost the year around. It is a very common item which is served fresh or in pickle form along with the meals which are ordered in hotels. The plant is a much branched thorny shrub. The leaves are small with narrowly winged petioles. The small white flowers have usually four petals. The fruit are round of ovoid with thin rinds. The pulp is very acidic and is a rich source of Vitamin C.

Herbal use

1. Citron is used to stimulate appetite.
2. It is used to strengthen and give tone to the stomach.
3. It is used to kill or expel worms from the body.
4. It is used to cure abdominal pain and other complaints of the abdomen.
5. It is used to check constipation and fatigue.
6. Checks biliousness or congestion of the liver.
7. It is used against foul breath, nausea and vomiting.
8. It is used as agent to prevent or cure scurvy.
9. It is used to improve general weakness and trembling of the limbs.
10. It is used for bleeding gums.

Instructions

1. The juice of the fruit is to be diluted with water and consumed to take care of Numbers 1 to 9 above.
2. The cleaned leaves are to be chewed and the juice retained in the mouth for a while to check bleeding gums.

Major parts used

The fruits and leaves.