Lime: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Small lime varieties (Kagzi Nimbu) are described with properties similar to Jambira (Lemon) but more sour and with thinner rind. They are widely used in cooking, pickles and as a digestive aid. The juice is used in numerous home remedies. Dose: As condiment. Verses continued.

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Rochana (appetizing)

Limes are sour, slightly bitter and cooling but their vipak is sweet. Lime calms vata and is acceptable in moderation for pitta. However the sour property can aggravate pitta if taken in excess. Lime stimulates kapha and can cause excess salivation. Lime is useful with hot, spicy foods to cool down their pitta-provoking nature. Lime stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and is useful for indigestion. It can be an effective antidote to alcohol. Lime should not be used when one has a cold, congestion and/or cough.

Healing Uses:

• Poor appetite: Chew some lime with a pinch of rock salt.
• Digestion and mineral absorption: Use 1 teaspoon lime pickle with the main meal.
• Acute indigestion: Squeeze juice from ¼ lime in 1 cup warm water, add ½ teaspoon baking soda and drink quickly.
• Acid indigestion: Juice of ¼ lime mixed with 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon rock candy or organic sugar.
• Heartburn, nausea and hyperacidity: Hold ½ lime on a fork over a flame, add ¼ teaspoon sugar and a pinch of baking soda, let the fire char it slightly, cool and chew, skin and all. Also helpful for headache, motion sickness and morning sickness.
• Burning urination: 1 glass of heated then cooled water with 1 teaspoon lime juice, sipped every fifteen minutes throughout the day.
• High blood pressure (diuretic): Mix 1 cup coconut juice, 2 teaspoons lime juice and 1 cup cucumber juice.
• Obesity and high cholesterol: A glass of hot water with 1 teaspoon each of honey and lime juice in the morning.