Herb × Condition

Citron for Anorexia

Sanskrit: बीजपूर | Citrus medica Linn.

How Citron helps with Anorexia according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

Last updated:

Overview

Citron is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for anorexia. Bijapura (Citron/Bijora) is a large citrus fruit with thick rind. The tree is found in hilly regions of India. The fruit is large, oblong and fragrant. The rind is very thick and the juice is less than in lemons. The rind is candied and used in confections. The juice is sour and used medicinally as an appetizer and digestive. The essential oil from the rind is aromatic and used in perfumery. It is useful in Hridroga (heart disease), Aruchi (anorexia) and Gulma (abdominal tumors). The fruit is one of the sacred offerings in Hindu worship. Dose: Juice 1-2 tola. Verse: 51.

How Citron Helps with Anorexia

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Citron has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing anorexia:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Amla (sour)
  • Taste (Rasa): Amla (sour), Madhura (sweet)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light)

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Sour (Amla), Sweet (Madhura)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Sour (Amla)
Key Constituents
Citric acid, Essential oil (Citron oil), Hesperidin, Vitamins
Also Known As
English: Citron
Sanskrit: बीजपूर, मातुलुङ्ग, फलपूर
Hindi: बिजोरा, बड़ा नींबू
Classical Text References (3 sources)

The gargles of milk, sugarcane juice, jaggery water, sugar, honey, and wine prepared from sugarcane, grape wine, kokam (Garcinia cambogia) and citron fruit are beneficial in curing dryness of the palate.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा)

When external application of paste prepared from pomegranate, wood apple, lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), white yam and citron or of whitish emblica myrobalans mixed with ghee and sour wheat porridge is done over head area it proves useful.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा)

The juice of Bijapura (citron — Citrus medica) mixed with honey and Ardraka (ginger) alleviates pain in the flanks, heart region, and bladder, as well as severe abdominal Vata (flatulence).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

The tender leaves of Bijapura (citron — Citrus medica), Amra (mango — Mangifera indica), and Jambu (Syzygium cumini), along with their respective barks, should each be taken separately [for Putapaka preparation].

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

The powder should be further processed (Bhavana) with the juices of Ardraka (fresh ginger) and Bijapura (citron — Citrus medica).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)

— Bijapura (citron) juice should be used to form pills with these.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)

The stamens of Matulunga (citron, Citrus medica) combined with Saindhava (rock salt) and Ushana (black pepper, Piper nigrum), used as Kavala, destroy oral sluggishness (Jadya) and loss of taste (Aruchi) caused by Kapha and Vata.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 10: Gandusha-Kavala Pratisarana Vidhi (Gargling, Oil Pulling and Oral Paste Application)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 10: Gandusha-Kavala Pratisarana Vidhi (Gargling, Oil Pulling and Oral Paste Application)

Also saindhava (rock salt), devadaru (cedar), shunthi (dry ginger), and matulunga (citron) juice with ghee.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)

Mahaushada (ginger), pippali (long pepper), musta (nut grass), saindhava (rock salt), and white maricha (pepper) — ground with matulunga (citron) juice — this eye anjana quickly destroys pishtaka (paste-like eye lesion).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)

River-born substance, agra, white pepper, and Nepali-origin herb in equal proportions, with matulunga (citron) juice — this formulation destroys itching with a single application of anjana.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)

With sugar, madhuka (licorice), katphala, whey, honey, sour substances, and saindhava — also with bijapura (citron), kola (jujube) acid, and pomegranate acid, in proper proportion.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)

With matulunga (citron) juice, this poultice serves the same purpose;

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

Other Herbs for Anorexia

See all herbs for anorexia on the Anorexia page.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.