Lime is a member of citrus family and found in abundance in Nigeria. However, many of us neglect the numerous health benefits of this gift of nature especially to our region. I want to attribute this neglect to lack of knowledge of its benefits. A lot of us including myself in the days of ignorance saw lime as a highly acidic fruit and therefore deliberately avoided it. Let me therefore take this opportunity to inform us that it is true lime tastes acidic in contact especially with our delicate tongue and intestine, the end product is actually alkaline.
Some of us reading this article may still argue, because I have discussed with people who continued to insist that Lime must be avoided completely because of its acidic content, if you are in that school of thought, then you may never benefit from its numerous health benefits. It is one of the most alkalizing food on earth with its cousin lemon. I have tried using lime in various ways, it works for most ailments as stated in this article.
The truth is that most diseases are due to acidity and toxicity or sometimes deficiency in one or more essential nutrients. Interestingly, lime is loaded with vitamin C to help fight disease and other nutrients to fight inflammations. The synergy between fresh lime juice and honey makes it even more desirable.
A seemingly scandalous pair, lime juice and honey actually come from the same side of the tracks. Both are overflowing in antioxidants that heighten the body’s natural ability to heal and both are utilized as alternative medical treatments for an array of conditions. While limes are categorized in sweet and sour varieties, sour limes enhance the flavor and health benefits of honey through citric acid. Mix equal parts of lime juice and honey to capture the benefits this dynamic duo has to offer.
1. Hiccups
The nagging flutter of hiccups begins with quick muscle contractions in the diaphragm, the muscle separating the abdomen from the chest. T the clacking sound associated with hiccups is actually the cartilage of vocal chords flapping as sudden pops of air rush in and out of the lungs. To stop this chicken-clucking sound, swallow 1 tablespoon of lime juice and quickly supplement with 1 tablespoon of honey. The honey will soothe your vocal chords and help the “medicine go down.”
2. Morning Sickness
Honey and lime juice represent one of the more common folk medicine treatments for morning sickness in pregnant women. In an article published in “Naaree,” an online magazine for women, naturopath Dr. Muneerah Kuraishi states that honey and lime are natural hormone-balancers that can affect the endocrine system when taken regularly. The success of honey in treating nausea is attributed to its quick absorption in the stomach.
3. Cough Suppressant
The power of honey to soothe a sore throat has long been utilized in traditional and alternative forms of medicine. New research has revealed honey to be as equally effective in suppressing coughs as over-the-counter medications. Reduced nighttime coughing and improved sleep were the results of 2 teaspoons of honey given to children age 2 and older before bedtime. Due to its high vitamin C content, lime juice offers antioxidants that compliment honey by working to heal underlying issues at the root of the cough.
4. Treats Scurvy:
Scurvy is a disease caused due to the deficiency of Vitamin C. It is characterized by frequent infections in the form of cold, ulcers on the tongue and mouth, cracked lips and lip corners, spongy, swollen and bleeding gums etc. Being packed with Vitamin C, lime is extremely effective in curing scurvy. This has been a popular cure since the nineteenth century when the British used to have lime juice to ward off scurvy. Even today, limes are given to workers working in hazardous environments like cement factories, painting shops, mines, furnaces and other dangerous work to prevent the outbreak of scurvy.
5. Gum Care:
Deficiency of Vitamin C can also lead to gum problems. As stated above, scurvy can cause bleeding and spongy gums. Often ulcers and microbial growth are caused due to physical trauma. Limes contain flavonoids, which inhibit microbial growth and along with potassium, facilitate the healing of ulcers and wounds.
6. Eye Care:
The antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties of limes are beneficial for your eyes. The antioxidant property of Vitamin C protects your eyes from aging and macular degeneration while flavonoids prevent infections.
7. Treats Arthritis:
Arthritis is caused due to the accumulation of excess uric acid in the body. This uric acid is a waste product that is normally removed through urination. But when excess uric acid builds up, it worsens the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Citric acid found in citrus fruits like limes dissolves the uric acid, causing the elimination of greater amounts through urine. Lime also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and inflammation.
8. Treats Gout:
Gout is caused by the accumulation of free radicals or toxins in the body, primarily uric acid. Being a wonderful source of antioxidants and detoxifiers like Vitamin C and flavonoids, lime can help reduce the number of free radicals and detoxify your body, preventing gout.
9. Treats Piles:
Piles can be defined as an uncomfortable condition that occurs in the anal region, causing bleeding and discomfort during excretion and general activity. When left uncured, piles can even lead to certain forms of cancer. Limes can help heal ulcers and wounds in the digestive and excretory systems, thus providing relief from constipation, which is the root cause of piles.
10. Treatment Of Fever:
Lime and lime juice possess natural fever reducing qualities. In case of high to moderate fever, the patient should be given lime juice and water along with other fruit juices to bring down the temperature to manageable levels. High concentrations of Vitamin C in citrus fruits help lower temperature naturally.
11. Treatment Of Common Cold:
High amount of vitamin C in limes not only treats common cold but also increases the resistance of the body towards common cold.
12. Aids Digestion:
The refreshing fragrance of lime can make your mouth water even before consuming it. The acids present in this fruit facilitate smoother digestion by breaking the macro molecules of food. Flavonoids are compounds found in the fragrant oil extracted from lime. These compounds stimulate the digestive system by increasing the secretion of digestive juices, bile and acids.
13. Treats Dehydration:
Lime juice is a refreshing drink that provides quick hydration and rejuvenation besides being rich in Vitamin C. It also helps to cure fatigue and vomiting bouts.
14. Treats Cystitis:
Cystitis, also known as urinary tract infection, is an inflammation of urinary bladder caused due to lack of hygiene or allergic reaction to drugs or radiation therapy. Limes have a high content of potassium, which helps eliminate the toxic substances and precipitates that get accumulated in kidneys and urinary bladder. Limes also possess disinfectant properties that can help cure infections in the urinary system. Besides, it prevents prostrate growth and prevents blockage of urine caused by calcium deposits in the urinary tract. In case of urinary tract infection, lime juice boiled in water, should be taken every couple of hours to get relief.
15. Treats Peptic Ulcers:
Peptic ulcers generally develop in the inner lining of your stomach, esophagus and upper small intestines, leading to a lot of abdominal pain. The acids in lime help reduce gastric acidity by causing an alkaline reaction in the digestive system. Besides Vitamin C, limes contain flavonoids, such as limonoids like Limonin Glucoside ,which possess anti-oxidant, antibiotic, anti-carcinogenic and detoxifying properties that facilitate quick healing of peptic and oral ulcers.
16. Beneficial For The Heart:
Limes are rich in soluble fiber, which can lower blood pressure level as well as LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol. This soluble fiber also cures inflammation of the blood vessels, providing protection against heart attack, strokes, and heart disease.
17. Lowers Cholesterol:
Limes contain a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. If you are suffering from increased cholesterol levels, it is advisable to boost your hesperidin levels by consuming more of limes.
18. Aids Weight Loss:
Lime benefits weight loss. Lime juice has been traditionally used in several weight reduction programs and is a great refresher and antioxidant drink. Lime juice is naturally sweet but extremely low in calories. It contains citric acid, which is an excellent fat burner. To lose weight, add 1-2 teaspoons of raw organic honey and juice of a fresh lime to 8 ounces of warm water. Drink it early in the morning on empty stomach to get beneficial results within a week.
19. Good For Women’s Health:
This citrus fruit contains calcium and folate, two vital nutrients for post-menopausal women as well as those in the child-bearing age. One fresh medium sized lime contains 22 milligrams calcium and five micrograms folate. Women in these phases should make lime a part their diet to get some relief.
20. Treats Respiratory Disorders:
The flavonoid rich oil contained in lime extracts is used as an ingredient in anti-congestive medicines like vaporizers, balms and inhalers due to the presence of kaempherol. Scratching the peel of lime and inhaling it provides relief from congestion and nausea.
21. Prevents Formation Of Kidney Stones:
Whether taken in fresh or in concentrate form, lime juice contains more citric acid than orange or grapefruit juice. Citric acid naturally inhibits kidney stones made of crystallized calcium. It is advisable to use fresh lime juice squeezed into water instead of commercial juices to get maximum benefits.
22. Beneficial For Diabetics:
According to the American Diabetes Association, citrus fruits like lime are beneficial for diabetics, due to several reasons. Firstly, the high levels of soluble fiber in limes help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This prevents the occurrence of blood sugar spike, which are risky for diabetic patients. Secondly, like most citrus fruits, limes have a low glycemic index. They do not cause unexpected spikes in glucose levels, thus adding to the benefits for diabetic patients.
23. Prevents Cholera:
Though now eradicated in many parts of the world, cholera continues to be a fatal disease in some places. Fortunately, limes and other citrus fruits can help prevent the occurrence of cholera. Lime juice, when added to potentially infected water can prove to be an effective disinfectant. This juice, when consumed regularly by the patient who has been exposed to cholera infected water, can reduce the ill effects of this deadly disease.
24. Anti-cancer Properties:
The limonoid compounds present in limes have been shown to possess anti-carcinogenic properties, which help prevent cancers of the colon, blood and stomach. Though the exact effect is yet to be known, scientists have observed through research that the antioxidant limonoids can cause the death of cancer cells. Besides, they stay active in your blood cells for longer and can fight more free radicals than green tea or dark chocolate.
However, you must not overdo it, Moderation should always be the key
Sources: www.stylecraze.com
http://www.livestrong.com/article/271743-what-are-the-benefits-of-lime-juice-with-honey
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