Lime (Musumbi)

Lime contains vitamins A, B, C, G and rare vitamin P. It also contains various other minerals and acids. The fruit juice is an efficacious remedy in scurvy, anaemia, intestinal disorders, cough and cold, gastric troubles, constipation, fevers, typhoid and high blood pressure. It is a tonic, rejuvenative and refresher.

Of all fruits, musumbi is called the miracle fruit. If one takes a musumbi a day, he will remain free from all sorts of diseases. It has got great powers to wash away waste products from inside the body.

Lime is a citrus fruit. The lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia) belongs to the Rue family (Rutaceae). Its fruits like other citrus fruits are very rich in vitamins A, B and C. They have a tangy flavour and are used in cooking, baking, pickling etc.

The lime tree has glossy, elliptical or oblong leaves usually 2 to 3 inches long. The tiny white flowers are usually borne in small clusters. The fruit is a type of berry known as a hesperidum. It has juicy pulp divided into several compartments and a thick rind containing oil glands.

This fruit originated in Malaysia and its neighbouring regions. But it was reported in Europe by the 13th century but limes were not popular there until the 17th century. In the 18th century, seamen on British sailing vessels ate limes to prevent scurvy and the sailors became popularly known as 'Limeys'.

The lime tree was grown in plenty in Haiti having been introduced there by Columbus in 1433. It then became naturalised throughout West Indies, along the coast of Mexico and on the Florida Keys. Today the world's chief areas of lime production are Egypt, India, Mexico and the West Indies.

The fruit is very rich in vitamins A, B and C. It also contains minerals. This fruit is very valuable in liver and stomach trouble, bronchitis, cough and cold, sore throat, pharyngitis, laryngitis, diarrhoea, dysentery and spleen troubles.

Dr. H. Harold Hume in his book 'Citrus Fruits' has said that musumbi juice is very effective in all sorts of stomach, liver and spleen troubles. It cures diarrhoea and dysentery very quickly. Jaundice can be easily cured if one drinks a cup of musumbi juice in the morning.

R. B. Duckworth in his book 'Fruits and Vegetables' has said that musumbi juice is an effective remedy for all sorts of stomach and liver troubles. It may be called a miracle fruit.

Fred. E. Deatherage in his book 'Food for Life' has described musumbi juice as a household remedy for stomach and liver troubles. F. Ramalay in his book 'Plants useful to man' has said that musumbi juice is a very effective remedy for all sorts of stomach and liver troubles. It may be called 'heal-all'.

Benefit and uses of Lime.

Cough and cold: It is an age-old remedy in cough and cold.

Anaemia and general debility: Musumbi juice is very effective in anaemia and general debility.

Forgetfulness: Its juice increases memory and gives vitality.

High blood pressure: The fruit juice is highly effective in keeping the blood pressure normal.

Intestinal disorders: Musumbi juice is often prescribed in all sorts of intestinal disorders.

Jaundice: Musumbi juice is an age-old remedy for jaundice.

Gastric or peptic ulcer: It is the only fruit juice which can cure gastric ulcer most effectively.

Menorrhagia: It is a very effective remedy for menorrhagia.

Kidney disorders: Narangi juice cures all sorts of kidney disorders. It is a miracle fruit.

Nausea, vomiting and travel sickness: Musumbi juice is very effective in curing all sorts of travel sickness.

Diarrhoea and dysentery: Musumbi juice is an effective remedy in diarrhoea and dysentery.

Flatulence and indigestion: Its juice is very effective in flatulence or indigestion.

Sun-stroke or heat-stroke: In hot summer months, narangi juice gives protection against any possible sun-stroke or heat-stroke.