CitruslimoniaOsbeck、Citruslimon(L.)Burm.f.
Aliases：Lí Méng Zǐ, Lí Méng Zǐ, Yí Mǔ Zǐ, Lǐ Mù Zǐ, Lí Méng Gān, Yào Guǒ, Méng Zǐ, Mèng Zǐ, Yí Méng Zǐ, Yí Mǔ Guǒ, Níng Guǒ.
Níng Méng (Lemon) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the fruit of Citrus limonia Osbeck or Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f., plants belonging to the family Rutaceae. This plant is an evergreen small tree or shrub, native to Southeast Asia, and is now widely cultivated in southern China. Because of its extremely sour taste, it is favored by pregnant women, hence the name "Yí Mǔ Zǐ" (Mother-benefiting Fruit). The medicinal use of lemon was first recorded in the Lingnan herbal classic Lingnan Caiyao Lu. Lemon was included in the National Health Commission's list of "substances that are both food and medicinal materials" in 2002.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes fluid production and quenches thirst; harmonizes the Stomach and calms the fetus; dispels summer heat; resolves phlegm and relieves cough; promotes Qi flow and strengthens the Stomach.
Indications
Indicated for Stomach heat with fluid damage, summer-heat with thirst and irritability, poor appetite, abdominal distension, lung-dryness cough, and pregnancy vomiting. It may also be used for bronchitis, whooping cough, and vitamin C deficiency.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant effect: Rich in citric acid, flavonoids, and other components, lemon exhibits strong antioxidant activity, promoting skin metabolism and delaying aging. Antibacterial and antiviral effects: Lemon extract exhibits antibacterial activity. Anti-inflammatory effect. Hemostatic effect: Caffeic acid constricts and strengthens capillaries, improving coagulation function. Antitumor effect: Lemon contains limonoid compounds that exhibit antitumor activity. Prevention of kidney stones: Citrate in lemon juice inhibits calcium salt crystallization, preventing kidney stone formation. Cardiovascular protection: Helps prevent cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Antiemetic effect: The aromatic scent of lemon, when inhaled through the mouth and nose, can inhibit the vomiting center and effectively relieve nausea and retching.
Ingredients
Organic acids: Citric acid, malic acid, quinic acid, and others. Flavonoids: Hesperidin, diosmin, naringin, neohesperidin. Volatile oils: Limonene, γ-terpinene, linalool, and others. Vitamins: Vitamin C, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, niacin, and others. Trace elements: Calcium, phosphorus, iron, and others. Others: Limonin, caffeic acid, β-sitosterol, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: take an appropriate amount, either squeezed for juice and drunk, or eaten raw. It may also be decocted, or preserved with salt and eaten.
Contraindications
Use with caution or avoid in cases of excessive stomach acid. Use with caution in Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—long-term use may aggravate abdominal pain and diarrhea. Avoid taking on an empty stomach—it may irritate the gastric mucosa. Not suitable in the early stage of externally-contracted wind-cold—to prevent retaining pathogenic factors. Avoid taking with alkaline drugs—to prevent neutralization and reduced efficacy. Lemon is extremely sour and may damage tendons and teeth. Avoid consuming with seafood—fruit acid coagulates protein, affecting digestion. Avoid consuming with milk. Avoid consuming with carrots—it destroys vitamin C.
Selected Formulas
For qi stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension, belching, and poor appetite (empirical formula) Take 10g of Ningmeng (Lemon), 10g of Xiangfu (Cyperus), and 10g of Houpo (Magnolia bark). Decoct in water and drink. For vomiting during pregnancy (empirical formula) Take 500g of fresh lemon, peel and remove seeds, slice, mix with 250g of white sugar, marinate for 1 day, then simmer over low heat until the juice is almost dry. Add a little sugar and eat as desired. For hypertension, sore throat, and dry mouth (empirical formula) Take 1 lemon and 10 water chestnuts. Decoct in water and drink once daily. For descending qi, harmonizing the stomach, and anti-inflammation (Salted Lemon Tea, empirical formula) Cook the lemon until done, peel and dry in the sun, place in a porcelain jar, and salt generously. The longer it is stored, the better. For each use, take 1 piece and steep in boiling water. For mastitis (empirical formula) Apply lemon juice as a wet compress to the affected area. For invigorating blood and relaxing sinews (Lemon Beauty Wine, empirical formula) Take 4 lemons (peeled and sliced) and 1 apple (cored and sliced), soak in 1 bottle of rice wine for over 3 months, then drink.
Daily Consumption
Honey Lemon Tea: Slice the lemon and place the slices into a glass jar in layers, alternating one layer of lemon with one layer of honey. Seal and refrigerate for 5–7 days before brewing for consumption. Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemons to extract the juice, then mix with honey and water until well combined. Lemon Water: Steep lemon slices in warm water (avoid using water that is too hot, as it may cause the active components to degrade). Candied Lemon: Take 500 g of fresh lemons, remove the peel and seeds, and cut into pieces. Marinate with 250 g of white sugar for one day. Then simmer over low heat until the liquid is almost completely reduced. Bottle and set aside for later use. Lemon Drink: Take 1 kg of cooled boiled water, add 0.35 g of citric acid, 2 g of salt, 100 g of white sugar, and other ingredients. Mix thoroughly and store in the refrigerator for consumption at any time.
Medicinal Parts
Ripe fruit.
Selection & Storage
Fresh lemons should be stored in a cool place. Cut lemons should have the cut surface coated with honey, then wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a food storage container; they can be preserved for several days. Dried lemon slices should be stored in a dry place, protected from moisture and light, in order to preserve the volatile oil components.
