Bijapura
Citrus medica L.
Bijapura (Citrus medica L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rutaceae family. Recognized as a traditional medicine and food plant across Mediterranean and Asian regions.
| Botanical name | Citrus medica L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Rutaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Sapindales |
| 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. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3190157 · Wikidata Q150064 · NCBI Taxonomy 171251 |
This entry and matulunga describe the same drug, Citrus medica, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Bijapura |
| Latin/Botanical | Citrus medica L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Iso-limonene
- Citral (geranial + neral)
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Decanal
- Nonanal
- Citric acid
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Hesperidin
- Naringin
- Pectin
- Coumarins
How does it work?
- Antiulcer activity via flavonoid-mediated (hesperidin, naringin) enhancement of gastric mucosal defense and inhibition of acid secretion
- Antidiabetic action through alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition by polyphenolic compounds in peel and seed
- Antimicrobial activity through essential oil terpenoids (limonene, citral) disrupting microbial membrane permeability
- Anticholinesterase activity of peel compounds suggesting potential in neurodegenerative disease management
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Digestive and carminative use validated through spasmolytic and gastroprotective preclinical studies
- Antiemetic (Chardi-nashaka) use confirmed through 5-HT3 receptor modulation studies
- Voice and throat care use supported by demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties of fruit preparations
- Cardioprotective use supported by antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activities in preclinical models
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Chhikara N , Kour R , Jaglan S and others 2018. Citrus medica: nutritional, phytochemical composition and health benefits - a review. Food & function. PMID 29594287 · doi:10.1039/c7fo02035j
Documented anti-catarrhal, capillary protector, antihypertensive, diuretic, cardioprotective, strong antioxidant and anticancer activities attributed to polyphenols, flavonoids and terpenes.
2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. 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 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
Bioavailability: Citrus flavanones (hesperidin, naringenin) show moderate oral bioavailability (15-30%). Flavanone glycosides require gut microbial deglycosylation for absorption. Limonene from peel oil is rapidly absorbed (>90%). Vitamin C is well absorbed at typical doses. Administration with lipids enhances absorption of flavonoids. Honey vehicle (traditional Anupana) provides fructose that may enhance flavonoid absorption.
Optimal Timing: With meals or after meals for digestive support; fresh juice in the morning for metabolic health; peel powder with honey for respiratory conditions
Standardized Extract: Peel extract standardized to hesperidin NLT 5%; limonene NLT 60% in essential oil. Juice standardized to citric acid content and vitamin C.
Shelf Life: 3 days (fresh juice, refrigerated); 2 years (peel powder); 2 years (essential oil); 1 year (syrup with preservative)
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
Extraction Methods
- Cold pressing for peel essential oil
- Fresh juice extraction (Swarasa)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for flavonoid-rich peel extract
- Steam distillation for essential oil
- Aqueous extraction for pectin-rich fractions
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews5
- 2026. Hepatoprotective Potential of Indian Medicinal PlantsCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 39835553 · doi:10.2174/0113862073346295250107070310
- 2024. Review of polysaccharides from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis. (Fingered citron): Their extraction, purification, structural characteristics, bioactivity and potential applicationsInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 39427793 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136640
- 2023. Role of Medicinal Herbs in Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic ReviewJournal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. PMID 37153928 · doi:10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_210_22
- 2022. Distribution, Antioxidant Capacity, Bioavailability and Biological Properties of Anthocyanin Pigments in Blood Oranges and Other Citrus SpeciesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36557809 · doi:10.3390/molecules27248675
- 2018. Citrus medica: nutritional, phytochemical composition and health benefits - a reviewFood & function. PMID 29594287 · doi:10.1039/c7fo02035j
Laboratory and animal studies7
- 2024. Natural Epithelial Barrier Integrity Enhancers-Citrus medica and Origanum dayi ExtractsGels (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39727593 · doi:10.3390/gels10120836
- 2022. Structural Characterization and Anti-inflammatory Activity of a Galactorhamnan Polysaccharide From Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylisFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 35757248 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.916976
- 2022. Physicochemical properties of dietary fiber of bergamot and its effect on diabetic miceFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 36407540 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1040825
- 2020. Identification of Flavoanoids From Finger Citron and Evaluation on Their Antioxidative and Antiaging ActivitiesFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 33195374 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.584900
- 2019. Structural characterization and immunoregulatory activity of a new polysaccharide from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylisRSC advances. PMID 35518453 · doi:10.1039/c8ra10664a
- 2019. Essential Oil Composition and Biological Activity of "Pompia", a Sardinian Citrus EcotypeMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 30841559 · doi:10.3390/molecules24050908
- 2018. Citrus peels prevent cancerPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 30466983 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2017.08.011
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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