Prof (Dr) R D Gupta
The most important commercial citrus cultivars in India are the mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) which is also known as loose skin orange, followed by sweet orange (Citrus sinesis) and acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). Commercially, Kinnow mandarin is grown in states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, western part of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Apart from this, mandarin is also grown in northeastern region and Darjeeling areas by the names as Khasi mandarin and Darjeeling mandarin, respectively. In Khera district of Gujarat, Akola in Maharashtra, Ferriyakulam in Tamil Nadu acid lime is mostly grown, whereas in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and adjoining areas of Madhya Pradesh Nagpur mandarin is grown. Contrary to this, Mosambi is grown in Marathawada region of Maharashtra, Sathgudi in Andhra Pradesh and Coorg mandarin in Coorg area of Karnataka (Singh, 1999). Although citrus cultivars of mandarin like Coorg, Nagpur, Khasi and Darjeeling have ecological differences yet are quite akin to each other. Despite producing more than four million tons of orange (worth 1,16,000 million of rupees) during 2000 on 0.2 million ha, India is only third in the list of orange growers, the other two being Brazil (17 mt), USA (9 mt) out of the annual world production of 64 mt of oranges. All citrus species yield not only valuable fruits but their every part is medicinal also,viz. roots, barks, leaves, flowers and fruits. They are suitable as home remedies as well as in Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicines.
Medicinal Values: Acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) also called Leumu or Nimbu and KaziNimbu has large number of advantages. Its use in water quenches the thirst. It is useful for fever, cures indigestion and other stomach diseases. Improves light of the eyes, increases appetite and kills the bacteria of teeth when it rubs on them. It provides strength to skin and helps in dissolving fat. It also removes the pimples and spots of skin. According to Singh (2005), acid lime is a very rich source of vitamins, minerals and salt, and therefore, it is a highly nutritious food. The fruit is aperients, astringent, antipyretic and sedative. Fruit juice in water is effective in lowering hypertension. The rind of fruit is a storehouse of valuable medicinal ingredients. The rind is rubbed on effected part of the skin for cure or just rubbed for cosmetic purpose. Sced oil gives valuable tincture. Warm lemon water serves as the perfect good morning drink it aids the digestive system and makes the process of eliminating the waste products from the body easier. It prevents the problems of constipation and diarrhea by ensuring smooth bowel functions. One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves away for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. Lemon water flushes out body toxins and thus is extremely beneficial for the body. Lemon, a fruit popular for its therapeutic properties helps promote one’s immune system and, thus, protects from the clutches of most types of infections. It also plays the role of blood purifier. Lemon is a fabulous antiseptic bestowed on us by the Mother Nature. Lime water juice works wonders for the people having heart problems, owing to its high potassium content. So one must make it a part of his daily routine to drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning and then open his gateway to enjoy its health benefits (Anonymous, 2007).
Recent studies indicate that among the antioxidants present in Citrus lemon (Bara Nimbu or Nibu), particularly flavonoids and flavonol glycosides have antibiotic Recent studies indicate that among the antioxidants present in Citrus lemon (properties which protect us against ailments like leukemia and cancer.
They also protect us against infectious diseases like cholera. Lemon is also known as healing process like blood clotting limonin, a liminoid which help to reduce the total cholesterol levels in those who have high cholesterol levels. High level of vitamin C in lemon juice helps to reduce stress and depression. Individuals with a weak immune system are prone to lose vitamin C from their bodies whenever they are faced with stress. Lemon juice has a very calming effect on our nerves, making it ideal drink whenever faced with high level stress.
Gargling with lemon juice has proven to help with the curing of throat related infections such as sore throat, oral ulcers and tonsillitis. Drinking lime juice daily has also been proven to be quite beneficial for those suffering from peptic ulcers. A lemon also helps in reducing the cellulite content of the body, thereby, detoxifying the body and reduce obesity and effective against osteoarthritis.
In skin, it improves collagen levels and repairs tissue damage, helps to prevent sunburn, besides wrinkles and fights free radicals which can cause blemishes and acne. Sour orange (Citrus aurantium) is extremely rich in vitamin A and B1. Preparations from various parts are given in febrile inflammation, scorbutic. Rind powdered is given in ringworms infection. Its juice is diaphoretic, purgative and stomachic. Fruit peel is effective in nutritional deficiencies and in digestive problems. The essential oil from leaves is also a tonic. It is stimulant and is given in fever, inflammation, nervous disorder, scurvy and hysteria. It is a lotion for eyes, skin, hands and all other parts. It is also given in dysentery, diarrhea, rheumatism and animal bite poisons. Decoction of leaves is given in cachaxia, enlarged spleen and is emmenogague. Dry rind is effective in dyspepsia and general debility. Fresh rind is rubbed on face in acne and eczema. Although orange is considered as one of the most popular and widely consumed fruit having a global appeal yet it is orange juice that is a star the world over. Besides making an excellent cocktails and mocktails, orange juice can be used straight as a great refreshing drink. Its health benefits are immense. The abundance of vitamin C in it helps fight flu and other common viruses. It protects from prostrate and breast cancer and improves circulation of blood.
Researchers at the Brigham Young University have studied the orange in detail (Anonymous, 2010) to understand this fruit offering for maintaining good health. This popular fruit is well known for its vitamin C and blood protecting antioxidants. Orange has been found better than taking a vitamin C capsules for meeting body’s requirement of vitamin C. It has been stated that every time we take carbohydrates, it increases the amount of free radicals in our blood. Over the time, this increases our chance of hardened arteries and heart disease. But eating orange fruit safeguards us from that effect for a few hours after every meal. Consume more of fresh whole fruit such as orange to cut diarrhea as it serves diarrhea deterrent. Lime juice and sherbet made at home must be preferred to take for curing diarrhea. Oranges contain the substance inositol which regulates serotonin and insulin level resulting in fewer mood swings and relief from depression. It can also help in bringing down of fats and reduction of blood cholesterol. Grape fruit is rich in folic acid which is crucial for oxygen delivery to the brain. Grape fruit is also a key in serotonin production. A study by Tufts University in Boston found that blood levels of foliate were lower in people with depression. Try grape fruit with brown sugar and angostura bitter. Researchers have noted that supplement companies often mix high concentration of extracts from blueberry and blackberry and orange and throw them all together and hope to get good results. They have further identified several combinations of antioxidants that were most synergistic – the compounds hesperidin and naringenin, in particular, appeared to contribute the most punch in the combination. Citron fruit is not only the cheap source of vitamin C all over the world after Amlaki and Guava but is also effective for correction of anorexia due its sour taste. It also increases the salivation and other gastric juices secretions related digestive mechanism. Fresh juice of citron is important in cardiovascular disorders (Chaudhuri, 2006). Fruits of all citrus plants are toning astringent and antiseptic. Being acidic, they are capable of combating oiliness (Anand, 2006).
Products Made From Oranges: Orange juice, sweet orange oil, the orange blossom, orange blossom honey and marmalade are the main products which are made from oranges.
i) Orange juice, one of the commodities traded on the New York Board of Trade, Brazil is the largest producer of orange juice in the world.
ii) Sweet orange oil, a byproduct of the juice industry produced by pressing the peel, is used as flavouring of food and drink and for its fragrance in perfume and aroma therapy. Sweet orange oil consists of 90 per cent d-Limonene, a solvent used in various household chemicals such as to condition wooden furniture and as hand cleaning agent.
iii) The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings for some time. In Spain, orange blossom after drying is used to make tea.
iv) All parts of the orange are used to prepare marmalade. The pith and pips are separated, and typically placed in muslin bags where they are boiled in the juice to extract their pectin, aiding in setting process.
(The author is former Chief Scientist cum Associate Dean SKUAST-J).
