Lemon

Lemons, the fruit of the lemon tree, are part of the citrus family. The colour of the rind of a ripe lemon varies from a gentle green to bright yellow. Lemon trees measures between 5 and 10 m in height. They are covered with evergreen leaves.

Latin name

Citrus limonum Risso

Origin

The Himalayas, Asia, the Middle East, southern Europe.

Used part

The fruit.

Active components

Essential oil (limonene, citral): antibacterial and antiviral action.

Citric acid: Organic acid.

Flavonoids: Antioxidants.

Vitamin C: hydrosoluble antioxidant.

Pectin: Polysaccharide with prebiotic action.

Usage

Lemon is used in a wide variety of food and drinks. For example, its juice and its zest are used to make marmalade and liqueur. Candied lemon zest is made by boiling the rind in a syrup and exposing the contents to the air to crystallise the sugar . Lemon juice is also used as a preservative for certain foods that tend to oxidise and turn brown after being cut, such as apples, bananas and avocados. Its acid denatures the enzymes that cause the browning and degradation. Lemon juice is used in traditional medicine as an astringent, a sudorific, a diuretic, a mouth wash, a lotion and a tonic. In the 1600s, doctors discovered that consuming lemon juice on a daily basis could prevent epidemics of scurvy in sailors during long sea voyages. English ships were bound by law to carry enough lemons or limes for each sailor to receive their necessary dose. An essential oil is prepared by pressing lemon rind or through vapour distillation. It is commonly used in perfumes and cosmetic products. This essential oil is also diffused in the workplace to stimulate employees and to help them make fewer errors. A French surgeon, Jean Valnet, a pioneer in the medicinal use of essential oils, used lemon oil as a natural antiseptic in the treatment of wounded soldiers during the Second World War.

Bibliographical references

The health claims that feature on our website in relation to the plants contained in our products are compliant with the list of health claims awaiting final assessment by the Community authorities (cf. website of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/). However, they may be subject to modification following their assessment by the national competent authorities.

The health claims relating to other nutrients or substances contained in our products that feature on our site are compliant with Regulation No. 432/2012 of the Commission of 16 May 2012 which establishes a list of authorised health claims authorised in relation to food products, other than those in reference to the reduction of the risk of disease as well as community-based development and child health (cf. website of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/nuhclaims/).