Lemon
Botanical: Citrus Limonum
Family: Rutaceae
Synonyms:Citrus medica. Citrus Limonum. Citronnier. Neemoo. Leemoo.
Limoun. Limone.
Parts Used: Rind, juice, oil.
Habitat: Indigenous to Northern India. Widely cultivated in
Mediterranean countries.
Description: The name Limonum is derived from the Arabic Limun or Limu,
which in its turn probably comes from the Sanskrit Nimbuka. There are several varieties of Citrus medica, only
differing in the character of their fruits.
Constituents: Lemon Peel yields its virtues to alcohol, water, or wine.
It contains an essential oil and a bitter principle. Crystals of the glucoside
Hesperidin are deposited by the evaporation of the white pulpy portion boiled
in water. Diluted acids decompose it into Hesperitin and glucose.
Lemon Juice contains from 6.7 to 8.6 per cent of citric
acid. It is officially described as 'a slightly turbid yellowish liquor,
possessing a sharp, acid taste and grateful odour. '
It contains also sugar, gum, and a very little potash. An
imitation lemon juice has been made by dissolving tartaric acid in water,
adding sulphuric acid and flavouring with oil of Lemon. It is useless
therapeutically.
Oil of Lemon is dextrogyre. It contains 7 to 8 per cent of
citral, an aldehyde yielding geraniol upon reduction, a small amount of pinene
and citronellal, etc. It is stated that citral, citronellal, and an ester of
geraniol are all necessary for the true odour.
The oil is not very active, and is used chiefly for
flavouring.
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