Lemons (Citrus limon)

Cultivation of citrus plants extends back to at least 2100 B.C. (1). With such an ancient history, discerning the precise origin of lemons and other citrus fruits has been difficult. Generally, however, the center of origin is considered to be somewhere in Southeast Asia: most likely east India, north Burma, and southwest China (2).  Christopher Columbus brought lemons to the New World on his second voyage and other trade routes have dispersed lemons across the globe. Now, lemons are ubiquitous in savory and sweet dishes worldwide.  

For centuries, lemons have been used to treat a myriad of ailments. Lemons are high in vitamin C as well as beneficial compounds including citric acid, ascorbic acid, minerals, and flavonoids. Vitamin C improves immunity and is also an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals throughout the body. Hesperidin is a key flavanone in lemons and other citrus fruits (3). It possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and is an effective antioxidant (4). The flavonoids diosmin and eriocitrin present in lemons has been developed in the pharmaceutical industry to aid with circulatory conditions. Lemons have also been used to treat throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, scurvy, cholera, high blood pressure and a variety of skin and hair problems (5).

Check out some great lemon recipes under the recipes page! 

1) H.J. Webber. History and development of the Citrus industry in: W. Reuther (Ed.), et al., The Citrus Industry, 1 University of California Press (1967)  pp. 1–39
2) R.W. Scora, Biochemistry, taxonomy and evolution of modern cultivated Citrus R. Goren, K. Mendel (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Society of Citriculture, International Society of Citriculture (1988), pp. 277–289
3) Y. Miyake, K. Yamamoto, T. Osawa Isolation of eriocitrin (eryodictiol-7-rutinoside) from lemon fruit (Citrus limon BURM.f.) and its antioxidative activity Food Science and Technology. Int. Tokio, 3 (1997), pp. 84–89
4) D. Berqvist, T. Hallbrook, B. Lindblad, A. Lindhagen A double blind trial of O-(β-hydroxy ethyl)-rutinosides in patients with chronic venous insufficiency Vasa, 10 (1981), pp. 253–260
5) Health Benefits of Lemon. Organic Facts. Web. May 29, 2015 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html