Lemon & lime

Citrus limon / Citrus aurantiifolia

Fruits. Ayurveda, Folk & home remedies and Modern nutrition.

Also called Lemon juice, Key lime, Persian lime

Pinyin: Níng Méng

Spanish: Limón

Acid can wear tooth enamel

Lemons and limes are sour citrus fruits used for juice, zest and flavor, valued for vitamin C and citric acid.

Did you know? British sailors were nicknamed 'limeys' after the lime juice they drank to prevent scurvy.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Lemon juice contains citrate, which can help block some kidney stones from forming. Small trials of lemonade show benefit, but larger trials are lacking.
Early proof
Colds, flu & immunity. Lemons are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C pills have small effects on colds, and lemon amounts in food have not been tested.
Traditional proof
Digestion & gut health. Lemon water is a popular digestion remedy. There is little human proof it helps, though it may boost saliva and appetite.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Kidneys & bladder, Immune system, Gut & intestines, Stomach

Traditional use

In Ayurveda, sour fruits like lemon are used to kindle digestion and flavor food. Folk remedies mix lemon with honey and hot water for sore throats.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Carminative, Antioxidant, Nutritive. Energy: warming.
Ayurveda: Calms Vata. Can raise Pitta. Taste (rasa): sour. Energy (virya): heating. After digestion (vipaka): sour. Deepana (kindles digestion).

How people take it

Used as juice, zest and in drinks. Stone studies used lemon juice or lemonade diluted in water, and most people need extra fluids as advised by a doctor.

Food, juice, tea and essential oil.

Where to get it

Lemons are grown in Spain, Italy, Argentina, India, Mexico and California. Limes are grown mainly in Mexico, India and Southeast Asia. Sold fresh, as bottled juice, as zest, and as peel oil. Key nutrients: vitamin C, citric acid and flavonoids.

Be careful

Lemon juice is very acidic and can wear down tooth enamel and irritate heartburn or mouth sores. Rinse with water after drinking juice. Cold-pressed peel oil can cause a burn-like rash in sunlight.

Avoid if: acid reflux; mouth sores.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Vitamin C from lemon helps the body take up iron from leafy plant foods.
Works well together
Lemon and honey are a common warm drink for sore throat.
Works well together
Papaya with lime juice is a common Latin American snack.
Works well together
Lemon and ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea and sore throats.
Works well together
Lime juice is squeezed on guacamole for flavor and to slow browning.
Works well together
Lemon adds vitamin C, which helps the body take up iron from leafy greens.
Works well together
Lemon adds vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron from greens.
Works well together
Lemon keeps cut artichokes from browning and adds flavor.

Found in these formulas

Fire cider (Folk)

The honest take

Lemon and lime are useful sources of vitamin C and flavor, and lemon juice has some real support for kidney stones. Detox and liver-cleansing claims have no proof. Lemon water is pleasant, but it does not burn fat or detox the body.