Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Matulunga

Citrus medica L.

Matulunga (Citrus medica L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rutaceae family. Not specifically listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; Citrus genus widely documented in pharmacopoeias worldwide; Matulunga referenced in Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia since 7th century.

Key facts
Botanical nameCitrus medica L.
FamilyRutaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSapindales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot specifically listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; Citrus genus widely documented in pharmacopoeias worldwide; Matulunga referenced in Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia since 7th century
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3190157 · Wikidata Q150064 · NCBI Taxonomy 171251

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishMatulunga
Latin/BotanicalCitrus medica L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Limonene activates GST (glutathione S-transferase) detoxification enzymes and inhibits Ras oncogene prenylation, providing chemopreventive effects against multiple cancer types
  • Hesperidin and naringin inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and enhance LDL receptor expression, reducing serum cholesterol levels and providing cardioprotective effects
  • Citric acid and vitamin C provide antioxidant protection through direct free radical scavenging and regeneration of other antioxidants (vitamin E, glutathione); also enhance iron absorption from the gut

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Digestive stimulant (Deepana-Pachana) activity validated through pharmacological studies confirming enhanced gastric motility and enzyme secretion, supporting traditional Ayurvedic use for Agnimandya (digestive weakness)
  • Anti-emetic and Hridya (cardiac tonic) effects confirmed through hesperidin-mediated cardioprotective studies, supporting traditional use in Pitta disorders and cardiac conditions
  • Anthelmintic activity confirmed through in vitro studies against intestinal parasites, supporting traditional use of citron rind preparations for Krimi (worms)

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally recognized as safe for food use with long culinary history; extract safety confirmed at large dosages in preclinical studies with no significant toxicity
  • Essential oils may cause photosensitivity (phototoxic furanocoumarins like bergapten); avoid sun exposure after topical application of citron essential oil
  • Like other citrus fruits, citron may interfere with CYP3A4-metabolized drugs (statins, calcium channel blockers); avoid high-dose supplementation during pregnancy due to limited safety data

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Svarasa (fresh juice), Churna (dried peel/fruit powder), Capsules, Tablets, Essential oil, Avaleha (fruit confection), Panak (beverage)

Standard Dosage: 10-20 mL fresh juice daily; 3-5 g dried peel powder per day; 500 mg standardized extract capsules twice daily; essential oil for aromatherapy 3-5 drops

Bioavailability: Limonene and other monoterpenes are rapidly absorbed orally with good bioavailability (60-70%). Citrus flavonoids (hesperidin, naringin) have moderate bioavailability (~20-30%) improved by micronization. Ascorbic acid well absorbed in upper GI. Essential oil components rapidly absorbed via inhalation. Pectin and dietary fiber in fruit pulp are not absorbed but provide prebiotic benefits.

Optimal Timing: Morning for digestive stimulation; before meals for appetite enhancement; after meals for digestive comfort; aromatherapy as needed for nausea

Standardized Extract: Cold-pressed essential oil standardized to minimum 65% D-limonene. Peel extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 10% hesperidin. Juice concentrate standardized to minimum 5% citric acid and 50 mg/100 mL vitamin C.

Shelf Life: Fresh fruit: 2-4 weeks refrigerated. Essential oil: 24 months. Dried peel: 18 months. Capsules: 24 months. Avaleha: 24 months. Juice: 6 months pasteurized, 48 hours fresh.

Storage: Essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed, below 20 deg C (limonene oxidizes at higher temperatures). Dried peel in airtight containers with nitrogen flushing. Fresh juice refrigerated at 2-8 deg C. Avaleha at room temperature in glass containers.

Marker Compounds: D-Limonene, Hesperidin, Naringin, Citral, Linalool, Citric acid, Ascorbic acid, Nobiletin

Extraction Methods

  • Cold pressing of peel for essential oil
  • Steam distillation of peel
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol) of fruit and peel
  • Fresh juice extraction
  • Supercritical CO2 for terpenoid-rich extract
  • Pectin extraction from fruit pulp

Synergistic Combinations

  • Shunthi/Ginger (digestive and anti-nausea synergy)
  • Pippali (Agni-deepana combination)
  • Ela/Cardamom (carminative)
  • Tulsi (respiratory and immune support)
  • Dadima/Pomegranate (digestive and cardiac)

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 reviews4

  1. Kumari A, Chandila N, Bhutani R and others. 2026. Hepatoprotective Potential of Indian Medicinal PlantsCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 39835553 · doi:10.2174/0113862073346295250107070310
  2. Dahan A, Yarmolinsky L, Nakonechny F and others. 2025. Etrog Citron (Citrus medica) as a Novel Source of Antimicrobial Agents: Overview of Its Bioactive Phytochemicals and Delivery ApproachesPharmaceutics. PMID 40574073 · doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics17060761
  3. Pasupuleti MK, Nagate RR, Alqahtani SM and others. 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
  4. Chhikara N , Kour R , Jaglan S and others. 2018. Citrus medica: nutritional, phytochemical composition and health benefits - a reviewFood & function. PMID 29594287 · doi:10.1039/c7fo02035j

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Coopersmith S, Rahamim V, Drori E and others. 2024. Natural Epithelial Barrier Integrity Enhancers-Citrus medica and Origanum dayi ExtractsGels (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39727593 · doi:10.3390/gels10120836
  2. El Sayed AM, El-Abd EAW, Afifi AH and others. 2024. Comparative metabolomics analysis of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis Swingle and Limonia acidissima Linn. Fruits and leaves cultivated in Egypt in context to their antiviral effectsHeliyon. PMID 38933965 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32335
  3. Luo B, Lv J, Li K and others. 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
  4. Liu H, Liang J, Liang C and others. 2022. Physicochemical properties of dietary fiber of bergamot and its effect on diabetic miceFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 36407540 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1040825
  5. Luo X, Wang J, Chen H and others. 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
  6. Gao Y, Peng B, Xu Y and others. 2019. Structural characterization and immunoregulatory activity of a new polysaccharide from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylisRSC advances. PMID 35518453 · doi:10.1039/c8ra10664a
  7. Flamini G, Pistelli L, Nardoni S and others. 2019. Essential Oil Composition and Biological Activity of "Pompia", a Sardinian Citrus EcotypeMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 30841559 · doi:10.3390/molecules24050908
  8. Nair S A, Sr RK, Nair AS and others. 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.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.