# Nimbu

> Nimbu (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rutaceae family. Citrus limon is widely recognized globally as a food and medicinal plant.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck
- **Family:** Rutaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Citrus limon is widely recognized globally as a food and medicinal plant. Included in WHO dietary guidelines. Lemon essential oil is regulated under EU and US cosmetics and food safety regulations. Listed in Ayurvedic texts as Nimbuka/Jambira.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Nimbu |
| Latin/Botanical | *Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- D-[Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene) (monoterpene)
- [Hesperidin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#hesperidin) (flavanone glycoside)
- Diosmin
- Eriocitrin
- [Naringin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#naringin)
- [Citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Beta-pinene
- Gamma-terpinene
- [Linalool](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#linalool)
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)
- Ferulic acid

## How does it work?

- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity via flavonoid-mediated (hesperidin, eriocitrin) free radical scavenging and metal chelation
- Anti-inflammatory action through diosmin and hesperidin-mediated inhibition of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and NF-kB signaling
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) potential via D-limonene-induced apoptosis, phase II enzyme induction, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity through essential oil [monoterpenes](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#monoterpenes) disrupting bacterial and fungal cell membrane integrity

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Digestive aid (Deepana-Pachana) use validated through carminative and stomachic effects in clinical observations
- Scurvy prevention and Vitamin C source validated historically and through nutritional studies
- Antimicrobial and preservative use validated through extensive food science and MIC studies against multiple pathogens
- Kidney stone prevention supported by urinary citrate-increasing effects documented in clinical studies

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Szopa A, Ekiert H 2020. [Citrus limon (Lemon) Phenomenon-A Review of the Chemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Applications in the Modern Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetics Industries, and Biotechnological Studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31963590/). *Plants (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [31963590](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31963590/) · [doi:10.3390/plants9010119](https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010119)  
  Comprehensive review confirmed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/), anticancer and [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) activities attributed to [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/), limonoids, [coumarins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarins) and terpenes.
- Singh N, Yarla NS, Siddiqi NJ and others 2021. [Features, Pharmacological Chemistry, Molecular Mechanism and Health Benefits of Lemon](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32901586/). *Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))*. PMID [32901586](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32901586/) · [doi:10.2174/1573406416666200909104050](https://doi.org/10.2174/1573406416666200909104050)  
  D-limonene demonstrated anticancer potential through induction of phase II detoxification [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) and inhibition of Ras-MAPK signaling pathway in cancer cell models.

*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 (GRAS) by FDA for food and flavoring use; lemon juice is safe at dietary levels
- Excessive consumption may cause dental erosion due to [citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid) content; phototoxicity risk from [psoralen](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#psoralen)/furanocoumarin compounds in peel essential oil upon UV exposure

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Limonene
- Hesperidin
- Naringin
- Citric Acid
- Linalool
- Quercetin
- Diosmin
- Eriocitrin
- 
- Ascorbic acid 

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Fresh juice, Oral liquid/syrup, Effervescent tablet, Lozenges, Spray-dried powder, Essential oil (external/aromatherapy), Cream/gel (topical)

**Standard Dosage:** 10-30 mL fresh lemon juice with water daily; 1-3 g spray-dried juice powder; 2-5 drops essential oil for aromatherapy; topical gel 2-5% citrus extract

**Bioavailability:** [Citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid) and ascorbic acid are rapidly and nearly completely absorbed (>90% bioavailability). Limonene from peel oil shows moderate oral bioavailability (~40-60%) with rapid absorption. Flavonoids (hesperidin, eriocitrin) have variable bioavailability (10-30%) improved by co-administration with [pectin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pectin) or bioflavonoid complex. Vitamin C degrades rapidly in solution at pH >4 and elevated temperatures.

**Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach with warm water for detoxification. Before meals as appetite stimulant. Post-meal for digestive comfort.

**Standardized Extract:** Spray-dried lemon juice powder with minimum 8% citric acid and 2% ascorbic acid. Lemon peel extract standardized to hesperidin >5% and eriocitrin >2%. Essential oil: limonene >60%, [citral](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citral) 2-5%.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh juice: 24-48 hours refrigerated; Spray-dried powder: 12-18 months; Essential oil: 12-24 months; Effervescent tablets: 18-24 months

**Storage:** Fresh juice: 2-8 deg C, protect from light. Powder: below 25 deg C, RH <35%, moisture-barrier packaging with desiccant. Essential oil: amber glass, 15-25 deg C, tightly sealed. All forms: protect from heat and direct sunlight.

**Marker Compounds:** Limonene, Citric acid, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Hesperidin, Eriocitrin, Citral (geranial + neral), Beta-pinene, Gamma-terpinene

### Extraction Methods

- Mechanical cold-pressing of fruit for juice
- Steam distillation of peel for essential oil
- Cold-press peel oil extraction
- Spray drying of juice with maltodextrin (ratio 1:1 to 1:2)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction of peel for flavonoids
- Supercritical CO2 for limonene-rich fractions

### Synergistic Combinations

- Adrak/[Ginger](/herb/ginger/) (digestive and anti-nausea synergy)
- [Madhu](/herb/madhu/)/Honey (throat soothing and antimicrobial)
- [Saindhava Lavana](/herb/saindhava-lavana/) (electrolyte balance and digestive)
- [Tulsi](/herb/tulsi/) (immune support beverage)
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (golden lemon anti-inflammatory preparation)

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

## 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.