Contents
Uses
- Iron deficiency: Early research suggests that drinking one liter of lime juice per day for 6 days per week for 8 months does not improve low iron levels in women who eat foods containing iron that is difficult for the body to absorb
- Severe diarrhea (dysentery)
- Nausea
- Killing germs on the skin
- Other conditions
Benefits
- Limes contain antioxidants, containing kaempferol, which research has shown stops cell division in several cancers. In West African villages where cholera epidemics had occurred, lime juice included in the diet protected against cholera, a deadly bacteria-activated disease.
- Vitamin C can be used as a remedy for reducing the painful symptoms of arthritis and the prevention of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
- Vitamin C protects from colds and flu.
- It can actually contribute to lowered incidences of other problems, such as strokes, diabetic heart disease, and cancer.
- Lab research has shown that compounds in citrus fruits such as limes, called limonoids, can help fight lung, breast, stomach and colon, skin, and mouth cancers.
Cautions
- Lime is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when used in amounts found in foods.
- Lime peel is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts.
- Applying lime oil directly to the skin is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Some people are sensitive to lime oil when it is applied directly to the skin. Lime oil can cause the skin to be very sensitive to the sunlight.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications changed by the liver
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Lime juice might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Drinking lime juice while taking some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of these medications. Before taking lime, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others. - Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight
Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Lime oil might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Using lime oil along with medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, and blistering or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, metho
Other Names
Adam’s Apple, Bara Nimbu, Bijapura, Citron Vert, Citronnier Vert, Citrus acida, Lime, Citrus lima, Citrus limetta var. aromatica, Citrus medica var. acida, Huile de Lime, Italian Limetta, Key Lime, Lima, Lime Oil, Limette, Limettier, Limonia aurantifolia, Turanj
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-548-lime.aspx?activeingredientid=548&activeingredientname=lime