Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Nimbu

Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck

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 nameCitrus limon (L.) Osbeck
FamilyRutaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSapindales
Pharmacopoeia statusCitrus 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.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 7647136 · NCBI Taxonomy 2708

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishNimbu
Latin/BotanicalCitrus limon (L.) Osbeck

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • 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 potential via D-limonene-induced apoptosis, phase II enzyme induction, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis
  • Antimicrobial activity through essential oil 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?

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 content; phototoxicity risk from 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 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 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 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 (digestive and anti-nausea synergy)
  • Madhu/Honey (throat soothing and antimicrobial)
  • Saindhava Lavana (electrolyte balance and digestive)
  • Tulsi (immune support beverage)
  • Haridra (golden lemon anti-inflammatory preparation)

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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Singh N, Yarla NS, Siddiqi NJ and others. 2021. Features, Pharmacological Chemistry, Molecular Mechanism and Health Benefits of LemonMedicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates)). PMID 32901586 · doi:10.2174/1573406416666200909104050

Other clinical studies and reviews5

  1. Yao L, Liu W, Bashir M and others. 2022. Eriocitrin: A review of pharmacological effectsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 35987162 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113563
  2. 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 StudiesPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31963590 · doi:10.3390/plants9010119
  3. Matsumoto T, Watanabe T. 2020. Isolation and structure elucidation of constituents of Citrus limon, Isodon japonicus, and Lansium domesticum as the cancer prevention agentsGenes and environment : the official journal of the Japanese Environmental Mutagen Society. PMID 32322316 · doi:10.1186/s41021-020-00156-0
  4. Dosoky NS, Setzer WN. 2018. Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential OilsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 29976894 · doi:10.3390/ijms19071966
  5. Setzer WN. 2009. Essential oils and anxiolytic aromatherapyNatural product communications. PMID 19831048

Laboratory and animal studies6

  1. Jin E, Yang Y, Cong S and others. 2025. Lemon-derived nanoparticle-functionalized hydrogels regulate macrophage reprogramming to promote diabetic wound healingJournal of nanobiotechnology. PMID 39891270 · doi:10.1186/s12951-025-03138-y
  2. Steć A, Targońska M, Jaikishan S and others. 2025. Incorporation of doxorubicin into plant-derived nanovesicles: process monitoring and activity assessmentDrug delivery. PMID 39663752 · doi:10.1080/10717544.2024.2439272
  3. Tinh NTT, Sitolo GC, Yamamoto Y and others. 2021. Citrus limon Peel Powder Reduces Intestinal Barrier Defects and Inflammation in a Colitic Murine Experimental ModelFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33503995 · doi:10.3390/foods10020240
  4. Makni M, Jemai R, Kriaa W and others. 2018. Citrus limon from Tunisia: Phytochemical and Physicochemical Properties and Biological ActivitiesBioMed research international. PMID 29568760 · doi:10.1155/2018/6251546
  5. Raimondo S, Naselli F, Fontana S and others. 2015. Citrus limon-derived nanovesicles inhibit cancer cell proliferation and suppress CML xenograft growth by inducing TRAIL-mediated cell deathOncotarget. PMID 26098775 · doi:10.18632/oncotarget.4004
  6. Cresti M, Ciampolini F, van Went JL and others. 1982. Ultrastructure and histochemistry of Citrus limon (L.) stigmaPlanta. PMID 24272209 · doi:10.1007/BF00393436

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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.