Overview
Lemon is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for nausea & vomiting. Jambira (Lemon/Nimbu) is one of the most important citrus fruits, extensively cultivated across India. The fruit juice is sour and is a powerful appetizer and digestive. Lemon juice with warm water and honey is a classic morning health drink. It is rich in Vitamin C and prevents scurvy. The rind contains essential oil (Limonene) used in flavoring and aromatherapy. Lemon juice is used as a souring agent, preservative and in numerous home remedies. It is used in Chhardi (vomiting), Aruchi (anorexia), and digestive disorders. The fresh juice is applied on skin for acne and dark spots. Lemon pickle is a popular condiment. Chemical composition includes citric acid, ascorbic acid and essential oils. Dose: Juice 1-2 tola; as flavoring in food. Verses: 52.
How Lemon Helps with Nausea & Vomiting
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Lemon has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing nausea & vomiting:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Amla (sour)
- Taste (Rasa): Amla (sour)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Sour (Amla)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sour (Amla)
- Key Constituents
- Citric acid, Vitamin C, Limonene, Hesperidin, Essential oil
- Also Known As
- English: Lemon
Sanskrit: जम्बीर, निम्बूक, दन्तशठ, अम्लसार
Hindi: नींबू, कागजी नींबू
▶ 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)
Other Herbs for Nausea & Vomiting
See all herbs for nausea & vomiting on the Nausea & Vomiting 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.