Limes – Sour, Exotic, And Healthy

Every caipirinha fan knows them: the lime. But the lime can actually do more than refine cocktails. Limes also go well with salads, in soups, or in smoothies: in the kitchen, limes often show unexpected diversity.

Is the lime a lemon?

Most of us probably only know the bright green common or Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). And yet there is not just one, but many different types of lime. These include e.g. B. the yellow-colored real lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and the coarse-skinned kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix).

Because limes and lemons share a lot in common, both have long been referred to simply as limonene. The word lime also means nothing more than “little lemon”. These are two separate citrus fruit species, but both belong to the same family.

Spanish researchers revealed in 2015 that the Chinese box orange is the mother of all citrus plants. The citrons, the grapefruits, and the tangerines initially developed from this. Over time, the lemons, limes, and all other citrus plants were added.

Lime: An exotic conquers Europe

Like its many relatives, the lime originally came from Asia, probably Malaysia, where it was worshiped as a divine healing agent thousands of years ago. Only in the 4th century BC. The first citrus fruits then reached the Mediterranean region via Persia.

But unlike lemons and oranges, limes have not been able to gain a foothold in Europe because lime trees are much more sensitive to cold. When they finally got to Central America with the Spaniards in the 15th century, they found exactly the climate they liked there.

Today, lime is the most commonly cultivated citrus fruit in the tropics and subtropics – the most important growing countries include India, Mexico, Brazil, California, and Egypt. In Europe, however, lime has only gained prominence since the 1990s, and it was also available in supermarkets.

Of course, this explains why lime is one of the staple foods in Mexico, for example, and is served with almost every meal, while most Europeans do not even know how diverse and healthy the tart and sour little fruits actually are.

Lime: The nutritional values

The lime consists of 85 percent water and contains about twice as much fruit juice as a lemon. The calorific value of 100 grams of limes is around 30 calories. In addition, 100 grams of limes contain:

Unlike e.g. Oranges or grapefruits, limes are hardly peelable and also taste much too sour to be eaten. For this reason, the juice is usually enjoyed, which of course then contains less fiber.

The vitamins and minerals of the lime

Lime is a fruit rich in vital substances that can contribute to health in many ways. Limes contain many minerals such as B. calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

In addition, limes contain vitamin E, as well as many vitamins from the B group, e.g. B. Vitamin B5, which helps us to cope better with stress. With regard to meeting the recommended daily dose, however, vitamin C is of primary importance.

100 grams of lime juice contain around 43 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 30 percent of the officially recommended daily dose. Since vitamin C is an important antioxidant that intercepts free radicals in the blood, brain, and body cells and renders them harmless, limes are great protection against infections, especially in the winter months.

Apart from the antioxidants already mentioned, limes also contain beta-carotene and a whole range of antioxidant phytochemicals such as the so-called bioflavonoids.

Limes are rich in antioxidants

Bioflavonoids are mainly found in the lime peel. They increase the effectiveness of vitamin C. The bioflavonoid hesperidin is already used successfully in medicine for venous leg problems and hemorrhoids.

Both bioflavonoids and carotenoids have a beneficial effect on high blood lipid levels, help to lower cholesterol, and thereby effectively protect our vessels from calcification. They are therefore considered important protective factors against heart disease.

Since it is almost impossible to get enough bioflavonoids from limes, you can resort to flavonoid-rich lime extract, which is available in the form of a dietary supplement.

Since the lime peel also contains the health-promoting essential lime oil, you should always use the peel of untreated limes or the essential lime oil when flavoring food and drinks.

Lime Essential Oil: The Healing Effect

Lime essential oil is obtained either by steam distillation of the ground fruit or by cold-pressing the peel. About 150 kilograms of limes are needed to produce one liter of the essential oil.

It is used in the production of food and cosmetics as well as in medicine and consists of 85 percent monoterpenes (especially limonene). These are secondary plant substances with analgesic, warming, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Monoterpenes have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, stimulate the immune system and activate the immune system. But they are also good for the mind and soul, as they lift the spirits, counteract anxiety, and promote concentration and logical thinking.

Sesquiterpenes have similar properties. They contribute to skin health and have a regulating effect on the release of histamine in the case of allergies.

Another plant compound in lime essential oil is citrate. It is responsible for the intense, fresh scent of the lime, but also keeps viruses, bacteria, fungi, and – e.g. B. in the fragrance lamp or in body oil – insects in check in a natural way.

The Lime – A Tropical Remedy

While the lemon has been an integral part of traditional medicine in Europe for thousands of years, the lime is practically new territory for us. And yet it has long been known that lemons and limes have a similar composition of active ingredients due to their close relationship and therefore also in terms of their healing effect have much in common.

However, in subtropical and tropical countries, where lime is even more important than lemon, it has long been used as a medicinal product. The areas of application include e.g. e.g.:

• antiaging
• Disinfection of drinking water
• Strengthening of the immune system
• colds, e.g. B. sore throat, sinus infections, and fever
• Depressive moods
• rheumatism
• malaria

In the meantime, numerous scientific studies have confirmed that lime can actually prevent and alleviate many diseases.

The lime extract is effective against tuberculosis pathogens

In Guatemala, a wide variety of medicinal plants are used to combat bacteria and fungi. Researchers from Brigham Young University in Utah examined a total of 141 plants.

The study found that lime essential oil efficiently inhibited all of the microbes studied – Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Candida albicans – and thus may also be helpful in relation to the associated diseases.

Tuberculosis is also transmitted by bacteria and – contrary to what is often assumed – leads to worldwide statistics of deadly infectious diseases. Mexican scientists from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León have discovered that lime peel extract contains some active ingredients such as e.g. B. contains citral, which is effective against the most important causative agent of tuberculosis in humans (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

The lime in cancer research

Cancer researchers have also taken on the lime and see great potential in cancer prevention and future therapies.

Indonesian researchers from the Universitas Gadjah Mada, for example, have found that various flavonoids in the lime peel have anti-carcinogenic, anti-tissue proliferation, and estrogenic effects. Lime peel extract can thus prevent cancer, stop the growth of tumor cells and even kill them.

The phytoestrogens contained in the lime peel have a similar effect to the body’s own estrogens and can alleviate menopausal symptoms, but also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer in a natural way.

A study at Texas A&M University, on the other hand, showed that lime juice can also prove helpful in this context. The scientists came to the conclusion that the flavonoids contained in it have an antioxidant effect and can cause tumor cells to shrink and die.

Lime: A new cure for Alzheimer’s?

Conventional medicine uses the so-called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE inhibitors) such as e.g. B. Donepezil recommended because they can affect the course of the disease favorably.

In Alzheimer’s patients, nerve cells that “communicate” with the help of the messenger substance acetylcholine are poorly networked with one another. You produce too little acetylcholine. With the help of AChE inhibitors, the signal exchange between the nerve cells can be improved.

Some studies have already shown that lime extracts obtained from the peel and leaves and also the lime essential oil have the same effect as the AChE inhibitors.

Italian researchers from the University of Calabria agree that older people in particular can benefit from the healing power of lime.

Quit smoking with the help of lime juice

Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking knows how difficult it can be. A wide variety of nicotine replacement products are used, but they also contain a harmful neurotoxin.

Thai scientists from Srinakharinwirot University have shown that lime juice curbs smoking cravings and is comparable to the effects of nicotine gum.

The study involved 100 subjects who were divided into two groups. One group used nicotine gum to quit smoking for 3 months, and the other used freshly squeezed lime juice.

The studies showed that lime juice was almost as good at curbing cravings as nicotine chewing gum – and without any nicotine.

Lime Juice – An Ayurvedic Ritual

In Ayurveda, a glass of warm lime juice is drunk in the morning after getting up in order to reduce the pathogenic “Ama” – as waste products are called in Ayurveda. Because of the warm lime juice…

• cleans and stimulates the liver by inhibiting the flow of bile.
• promotes digestion, since its composition is similar to digestive juices.
• helps the intestines to empty themselves more easily and naturally.
• can lower blood pressure.
• counteracts acidification of the body by increasing the pH value.

Lime juice can also be used externally to do something good for the skin.

Natural cosmetics: lime and honey mask

Lime juice is a proven home remedy that helps kill bacteria, remove dead skin cells, and unclog large pores. The following recipe is well suited to refine the complexion in a natural way.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp liquid honey

Application:

• Mix the ingredients together and gently rub them onto your face.
• Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes over a steam bath or in the sauna.
• Wash your face thoroughly with warm water.

In addition, essential lime oil also offers many possibilities for prevention in cosmetics.

Lime Essential Oil: The Application

Essential lime oil is used internally e.g. B. in arthritis, flatulence, stomach weakness, and infections. It is recommended to mix 2 to 3 drops of the oil with a teaspoon of honey and add to a cup of lukewarm water or tea. Externally, essential lime oil can sometimes be helpful for inflammation, oily skin, and cellulite.

However, like all other essential oils, lime oil should not be applied directly to the skin, but rather with high-fat carrier materials such as e.g., B. vegetable oils are diluted. A low dosage is 0.5 percent. Since lime oil has a phototoxic effect, especially in people with sensitive skin (the skin becomes more sensitive to UV radiation), the treated skin areas should be protected from sunlight.

You can also use lime oil in the aroma lamp. It refreshes the air in the room, relieves negative moods, increases concentration, and can relieve nausea.

It is important, however, that it is a 100 percent natural essential oil from controlled organic production. Cold-pressed lime oil is characterized by better quality and a natural bouquet.

Limes: purchase, storage, and preparation

As you already know, we primarily offer Persian lime. When buying, make sure that the fruit has light green, shiny skin, as a dark green color indicates an unpleasantly sour taste. You can buy kaffir limes in well-stocked Asian shops.

You should also use organic limes, especially if you want to use peel.

In a cool room, limes can be kept for up to 3 weeks. If they are stored at room temperature, they will dry out more quickly than lemons and must therefore be used up in about 5 days.

Before peeling or squeezing your limes, always wash them thoroughly under warm water and then rub them dry.

The lime in the kitchen

Like its big sister the lemon, the lime also tastes sour but is also characterized by an exotic, slightly tart aroma. The fruit juice provides a lot of peps not only in alcoholic drinks but also in non-alcoholic cocktails and smoothies.

In addition, lime juice is ideal for giving delicious sauces, salad dressings, and soups a fruity and sour note. For example, how about a delicious Asian coconut soup or a papaya-mango salad rich in vital substances?

The grated lime zest is always required when the unmistakable citrus aroma needs to be emphasized. It gives all more or less exotic dishes. B. Mexican vegetable stews are the finishing touch. In addition, the bowl can be used to make desserts – e.g. g. lime cake, lime cream, or lime tiramisu.

Lime leaves cut into wafer-thin strips are also used in lime countries. They ensure a fine, fresh flavor. On the Arabian Peninsula, on the other hand, z. For example, use the condiment Loomi in rice dishes. For this, ripe limes are boiled in salt water and then dried in the sun.

The recipe: lime cress soup

Whenever the lime is used in the kitchen, a special taste experience is paired with a high health value, as in the delicious lime cress soup:

Ingredients for 4 persons):

• 250 g potatoes (mainly waxy)
• 40 grams of onions
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 300 ml vegetable broth
• 100 ml coconut milk
• 20 grams of cress
• 20 ml lime juice
• zest of 1 lime
• salt and pepper

Preparation:

• Dice the potatoes and onions.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onions until translucent.
• Add the diced potatoes, steam them briefly and then pour in the vegetable broth.
• Let the soup simmer over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes, then add the coconut milk and grated lime zest.
• When the potatoes are soft, add two-thirds of the cress and finely puree the soup with a hand blender.
• Finally, add the lime juice, salt, and pepper.
• You can garnish the soup with the remaining cress.