In the mid-1700s a Scottish naval surgeon named James Lind discovered that drinking Lime juice prevented the life threatening disease of scurvy in sailors on long voyages. Lind was a forward thinker for his time. Soon British ships began carrying ample supplies of limes for sailors to prevent scurvy and shortly after earned them the nickname of “Limey”. Today, we can also benefit from the powerful vitamin C that limes offer in our fast-paced, over-worked and often times under nourished modern-day lifestyle.
Could limes be a miracle fruit?
The health benefits of lime are astonishing and include weight loss, skin care, improved digestion, relief from constipation, eye care, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcers, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, urinary disorders, to even help with acne! Just four ounces (115 g) of lime juice has 30mg of vitamin C, equaling 40% of your recommended daily value. Limes are also powerful cancer fighters by supplying ample doses of bioflavonoids that help breakdown cancerous cells. Add a little lime into your daily diet and see your health soar!
Due to its nutritional value and delicious flavor, lime is considered highly versatile and beneficial for overall health of the skin, hair and body. Including this wonder fruit in your daily beauty regime and diet is sure to give excellent results! Lime, bearing the scientific name Citrus Aurantifolia, has been used for ages in the treatment of various ailments. Here are just a few of this mighty little fruit’s health benefits.
Top 10 Health Benefits of Lime
Infections:
Make a mixture of lime juice with coconut oil and almond oil. Gently massage the infected area for three minutes and rinse. This is effective for treating most infections.
Kidney Stones:
Lime contains more citric acid than grapefruit or oranges and citric acid is considered as a natural inhibitor of kidney stones. Use a mixture of lime juice with water to help prevent formation of kidney stones.
Weight Loss:
Citric acid in lime also helps burn fat in the body, lose weight and maintain fitness.
Heart Health:
Due to its herperidin properties, lime helps in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Digestive System:
It helps preventing blood cancer, abdomen issues, digestive problems and colon related problems.
Acne:
Acne eruptions on oily skin can be kept at bay by regularly applying a pack of lime juice and honey. Lime juice is acidic and honey contains anti-bacterial properties and a combination of both will help control the outburst of oil on the skin. For good results, it is advisable to use this remedy once a week. If the pimple leaves a scar behind, simply massage some fresh lime juice on to it to lighten the skin.
Hair Loss:
A mixture of gooseberry oil, coconut oil and lime juice can help reduce hair loss and strengthen the hair roots. Simply massage the mixture on the scalp and leave it overnight. Regular application of the mixture is sure to improve hair growth over time.
Glowing Complexion:
Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water with some freshly squeezed lime juice in it. The refreshing drink will ensure an inner glow in your skin.
Lightens Dark Spots:
Thanks to its bleaching properties, lime juice when applied on dark spots with a cotton swab and left for 30 minutes can help lighten dark spots. Ensure you do not expose your skin to sunlight after this remedy as lime can make the skin extra sensitive to sunlight.
Overall Health:
Limes are powerful disease fighters by supplying ample doses of both vitamin C and bioflavonoids that help breakdown cancerous cells. Other benefits include stimulation of liver, healthy maintenance of heart due to its magnesium content, prevention of rickets and potassium content that helps fight anxiety and depression. Limes are rich in folate and calcium which are excellent for women during menopause.
HEALTH CHALLENGE:
Add at least one fresh lime to your daily diet. Can be enjoyed in iced water, sliced or freshly squeezed.
