COMMON NAME: Lime, Distilled Lime

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus medica var. acida, Citrus latifolia

FAMILY NAME: Rutaceae

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: West Indies

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: West Indies

HISTORY INFORMATION: The lime is native to the Indo-Malayan region. It was unknown in Europe before the Crusades and it is assumed to have been carried to North Africa and the Near East by Arabs and taken by Crusaders from Palestine to Mediterranean Europe. In the mid-13th Century, it was cultivated and well-known in Italy and probably also in France. It was undoubtedly introduced into the Caribbean islands and Mexico by the Spaniards, for it was reportedly commonly grown in Haiti in 1520. It readily became naturalized in the West Indies and Mexico, There is no known record of its arrival in Florida. Dr. Henry Perrine planted limes from Yucatan on Indian Key and possibly elsewhere. In 1839, cultivation of limes in southern Florida was reported to be "increasing". The lime became a common dooryard fruit and by 1883 was being grown commercially on a small scale in Orange and Lake Counties. When pineapple culture was abandoned on the Florida Keys, because of soil depletion and the 1906 hurricane, people began planting limes as a substitute crop for the Keys and the islands off Ft. Myers on the west coast. The fruits were pickled in saltwater and shipped to Boston where they were a popular snack for school children. The little industry flourished especially between 1913 and 1923, but was demolished by the infamous hurricane of 1926. Thereafter, the lime was once again mainly a casual dooryard resource on the Keys and the southern part of the Florida mainland.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Citrus aurantifolia is also known as Citrus medica var. acida, Citrus latifolia, Mexican lime, West Indian lime and sour lime. There are several other species of limes, such as the Italian lime or Citrus limetta, which is used to produce oil called limette. The leech-lime or Citrus hystrix is also used to produce an essential oil called combava. The lime shares many qualities with lemon and the essential oils are often used in place of one another. It is very good for sore throats, fevers, infections and colds. It was once used as a remedy for dyspepsia with glycerin of pepsin. The distilled lime presents little risk of photosensitization or skin irritation. Chemical profile of the distilled is not as extensive as the pressed.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: The lime tree is exceedingly vigorous; may be shrubby or range from 6 1/2 to 13 ft (2-4 m) high, with many slender, spreading branches, and usually has numerous, very sharp, axillary spines to 3/8 in (1 cm) long. The evergreen, alternate leaves are pleasantly aromatic, densely set; elliptic- or oblong-ovate, rounded at the base, 2 to 3 in (5-7.5 cm) long, leathery; light purplish when young, dull dark-green above, paler beneath, when mature; with minute, rounded teeth and narrowly-winged petioles. Faintly fragrant or scentless, the axillary flowers, to 2 in (5 cm) across are solitary or 2 to 7 in a raceme, and have 4 to 6 oblong, spreading petals, white but purple-tinged when fresh, and 20-25 bundled white stamens with yellow anthers. The fruit, borne singly or in 2's or 3's (or sometimes large clusters), at the twig tips, is round, obovate, or slightly elliptical, sometimes with a slight nipple at the apex; the base rounded or faintly necked; 1 to 2 in (2.5-5 cm) in diameter; peel is green and glossy when immature, pale-yellow when ripe; somewhat rough to very smooth, 1/16 to 1/8 in (1.5-3 mm) thick; the pulp is greenish-yellow in 6 to 15 segments which do not readily separate; aromatic, juicy, very acid and flavorful, with few or many small seeds, green inside.

PARTS PROCESSED: whole fruit

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam Distilled

COLOR RANGE: Pale Greenish-Yellow

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Terpene. Limonene, y-terpinene, a-phellandrene, b-pinene, a-thujene, no couramins

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Anti-anemic, anti-bacterial, antimicrobal, antirheumatic, antisclerotic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, anti-viral, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hemostatic, hypotensive, insecticide, rubefacient, stimulates white corpuscles, tonic, vermifuge. Excellent for treating cold and flu symptoms. It is also commonly used as a digestive and appetite stimulant.

MENTAL USES: I touch lives everyday and they are better for it. What I need will be there. When it is not there, I take a break and relax knowing that it will come to be when the time is right. I am taken care of as I take care of those around me.

EMOTIONAL USES: Worried, feeling blocked unable to get yourself going, life feels heavy, joyless, TO relaxed and comfortable, feel OK about taking some time off and recharging your batteries, feel good about yourself and what you are doing, know that you are an inspiring individual.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are in the need of inspiration. Are you aware of how inspiring you are? Do you know how many people are inspired by your example? Become aware of all that you do and all that you know. Relax. Your inspiration will come to you as you realize how you inspire others. Is there some one you look up to for special help in this way? Maybe it is time to give them a call. We all inspire others. We are in this together. There are probably many times you have been an inspiration to others and you have been totally unaware. Relax and get how wonderful you are. What you need will come to you.

APPLICATIONS: Massage, bath, diffusor, blending, perfumery, culinary.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic. May cause irritation on sensitive skin. No courmarins so it is not phototoxic