# Bijapura

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/bijapura/

> Bijapura (Citrus medica L.) is a plant drug, also called Matulunga, Bijoura and Galagala, from the Rutaceae family. Recognized as a traditional medicine and food plant across Mediterranean and Asian regions.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Citrus medica L.
- **Family:** Rutaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Recognized as a traditional medicine and food plant across Mediterranean and Asian regions. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Bijapura/Matulunga. No dedicated WHO monograph for C. medica specifically.

## Names in the Indian languages

Every name form this project holds for this drug, with the script form first and the
transliteration after it. Sources per name are on the canonical page.

| Language | Names |
| --- | --- |
| Sanskrit | बीजपूर (bījapūra), मातुलुङ्ग (mātuluṅga) |
| Hindi | Bijoura, गलगल (galagala) |
| English | Citron, Wild Lemon |
| Tamil | Kadarangai, Turunji Pazham, மாதுலங்கம் |
| Malayalam | Bongi, Gonapatinarakam, Matala Narakam, Mathulanga |
| Telugu | Madi Phalam |
| Kannada | Madala, Madalahannu, Madavala |
| Marathi | Bijora, Mahalunga |
| Bengali | Bijipura, Mutulanga |
| Gujarati | Bijora |
| Urdu | Turanj |
| Punjabi | Galgal |
| Oriya | Jambhira |
| Assamese | Jaradeda |

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Citron |
| Latin/Botanical | *Citrus medica L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Iso-[limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene)
- [Citral](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citral) (geranial + neral)
- Limonene
- [Linalool](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#linalool)
- [Decanal](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#decanal)
- Nonanal
- [Citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid)
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- [Hesperidin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#hesperidin)
- [Naringin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#naringin)
- [Pectin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pectin)
- [Coumarins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarins)

## How does it work?

- Antiulcer activity via flavonoid-mediated (hesperidin, naringin) enhancement of gastric mucosal defense and inhibition of acid secretion
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) action through alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition by polyphenolic compounds in peel and seed
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity through essential oil [terpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#terpenoids) (limonene, citral) disrupting microbial membrane permeability
- Peel compounds have shown anticholinesterase activity in laboratory studies

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

*These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.*

- Traditionally used as a digestive and carminative. Preclinical studies have reported spasmolytic and gastroprotective activity.
- [Antiemetic](/glossary/pharmacology/#antiemetic) (Chardi-nashaka) use is described in traditional practice. Studies have reported 5-HT3 receptor modulation.
- Traditionally used for voice and throat care. Fruit preparations are traditionally described as demulcent and anti-inflammatory.
- [Cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) use is described in traditional practice. Preclinical studies have reported [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) and anti-hyperlipidemic activity.

## What do recent studies show?

- Chhikara N , Kour R , Jaglan S  and others 2018. [Citrus medica: nutritional, phytochemical composition and health benefits - a review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29594287/). *Food & function*. PMID [29594287](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29594287/) · [doi:10.1039/c7fo02035j](https://doi.org/10.1039/c7fo02035j)  
  Documented anti-catarrhal, capillary protector, [antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive), [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/), cardioprotective, strong antioxidant and anticancer activities attributed to [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols), [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) and terpenes.

*Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Generally safe at dietary doses; citron is consumed as food and flavoring agent worldwide with GRAS status
- Excessive use of essential oil may cause phototoxicity due to furanocoumarin content; [citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid) in juice may cause dental erosion with chronic excessive intake

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (dried peel powder), Avaleha (jam/confection), Syrup, Essential oil, Panak (traditional drink)

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20ml fresh juice with honey; 1-3g dried peel powder; 5-10g Avaleha; juice as per palatability for digestive aid

**Optimal Timing:** With meals or after meals for digestive support; fresh juice in the morning; peel powder traditionally taken with honey in respiratory formulations

**Storage:** Fresh juice refrigerated at 2-8°C. Dried peel in airtight containers away from moisture. Essential oil in amber glass, cool storage. Protect from light to prevent vitamin C and terpene degradation.

**Marker Compounds:** Hesperidin, Naringin, Limonene, Citral, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Citric acid, Linalool, Beta-pinene, Pectin

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Ginger](/herb/ginger/) (Shunthi) for digestive and antiemetic formulations
- With Honey for respiratory and digestive applications
- With Rock salt (Saindhava) for appetite stimulation
- With [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) for Kapha-reducing respiratory formulations
- With [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) for digestive health

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/bijapura/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.