Overview

Lemon is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for anorexia. Lemon is Jambira, sour and hot. Morning juice in warm water with honey kindles Agni, clears Ama, treats Aruchi (loss of appetite) and Ajirna; never with milk.

How Lemon Helps with Anorexia

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

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

Other Herbs for Anorexia

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Amla Emblica officinalis

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Bala Sida cordifolia Linn

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Betel Leaf Piper betle Linn.

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Black Pepper Pipernigrum Linn.

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Brahmi Bacopa monniera

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Sorrel Oxalis corniculata Linn

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Chitraka Plumbago zeylanicum

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Citron Citrus medica Linn.

See all herbs for anorexia on the Anorexia page.

▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)

that variety of pilu which has bitter- sweet taste is not very hot in potency and mitigates all three dosas 130 वि त तकटुका ि न धा मातुलु ग य वातिजत ् बं ृहणं मधुरं मांसं वात प तहरं गु लघु त केसरं कास वास ह मामदा ययान ् आ यशोषा नल ले म वब ध छ यरोचकान ् गु मोदराशः शूला न म दाि न वं च नाशयेत ् The skin of matulunga (bigger variety of lemon) fruit is better, pungent and unctous, mitigates vata;
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Triturate it with lemon juice (Nimbuka Rasa) continuously for one day.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)

The method of extracting mercury from Hingula: Triturate Hingula with lemon juice (Nimbu Rasa) or Nimba (Azadirachta indica) leaf juice for one Yama (approximately 3 hours).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)

Grapes, pomegranate, lemon (Citrus limon), Parushaka (Grewia asiatica) fruits, oily and warm food, and oily warm anointing pastes are beneficial.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 66: Diet for Vata Diseases (Vata Roga Pathyapathyam)

Grapes, pomegranate, lemon (Citrus limon), Parushaka (Grewia asiatica) fruits, oily and warm food, and oily warm anointing pastes are beneficial.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 55: Diet for Vata Diseases (Vata Roga Pathyapathyam)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations); Parishishtam, Chapter 66: Diet for Vata Diseases (Vata Roga Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 55: Diet for Vata Diseases (Vata Roga Pathyapathyam)

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.