Lemon peel, c/sScientific Name: Citrus limonum, Rutaceae family Common Names: Lemon, citrus medica, citrus limonum, citronnier, neemoo, leemon, limoun, limone, limonero, miski. Part used: Peel Active Compounds: Limonene, protein, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, vitamin C, thiamine, and riboflavin. Background: Likely native to the Indian subcontinent, in pre-history the plant was spread through cultivation into the Orient. Use was recorded in Greece by 300 BC. By 20 BC cultivatars were noted in Italy. Evidence of the use of lemon has been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii. The plant ancestor may be malum medicum, as described by Pliny. It was the first citrus fruit known in the Mediterranean region. It was specifically describe in a 10th-century Arabic treatise on farming. Ascribed medicinal virtues were documented in North Africa by the 12th century. Seeds were brought to the Caribbean and Florida by the Spanish before 1500 AD. It was cultivated in California beginning in 1750. By 1870, to supply growing demand in the United States and avoid their importation from Sicily, Floridians revived commercial cultivation of the lemon. One thousand lemons may yield to 2 pounds of lemon (peel) oil. A single region in Italy exported 155,000 kilos of oil in the year 1919. Dried lemon peel has culinary, confectionery, medicinal and cosmetic applications. Applications: Diuretic, carminative, immuno-enhancing, and stomachic. Tonic to digestive system, immune system, and skin. Used in Ayurvedic medicine to tonify liver. Strengthening to blood vessels. Helpful in relieving symptoms and discomfort of varicose veins, phlebitis, and peripheral circulatory system function. Increases circulation to extremities. Used to treat and prevent vitamin deficiencies, colds, flu, and scurvy.. Description: Trees grow to 22 ft in height. Leaves are elliptic, long-ovate, 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 in. in length, finely toothed, with slender wings on petioles, alternating. Leaves are dark-green above, light-green below. Twigs and some branches bear thorns. Fragrant flowers are solitary or clustered at leaf axils. Buds are reddish. Flowers of 4 to 5 petals, 3/4 in. in length, are white inside, purplish outside, with 20 to 40, generally-united, stamens with yellow anthers. Plant is apomictic. Hermaphroditic flowers are sometimes pollinated by insects. Oval fruit (2.5 to 4 in.) has protuberance at apex. Aromatic peel, light to bright yellow, may have variegated longitudinal stripes of green and yellow or white. Skin oil glands are prolific. Juicy, acid, pulp is pale-yellow formed in 8 to 10 segments. Fruits have elliptic or ovate, pointed, smooth 3/8 in. long seeds. Fruits appear as tree is producing blossoms. Uses: Peel is used in culinary, confectionery, medicinals and cosmetcs. It provides a refreshing, lemony flavor and health benefits when used beverages, in tea blends and herbal blends for infusion. Can be added to grains and rice after cooking; May be added to fruit salads, yogurt, breads and cakes; dried fruit and nut mixtures. Mix with aromatic herbs for potpourris, bath blends and bath scrubs, and used for household applications of cleaning, polishing and air-freshening. Safety: There is no known negative information available. More Bulk Herbs and Spices Information: Agar agar For educational purposes only
|
||
|
|