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Let's look at lemons
Buckston Harrison
Thursday, June 11, 2009
There are several varieties of the lemon, or citrus limonum as it is known to the scientific world.
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| Lemon juice is widely used as a diuretic to flush gravel and stones out of the system. |
There's the Armstrong seedless which was developed in California; the Avon which was developed in Florida; The Bears which was developed in Sicily; the Berna from Lisbon; the Eureka which was developed in Italy and transported to Europe in 1858 and the Femminello ovale - one of the oldest varieties - also developed in Italy.
There is much more that I could tell you about this fruit which reportedly originated in Northern India where it grows wild.
Of great historic interest is the fact that lemons were introduced by the Spaniards to the New World; prized for their medicinal value in the Kingdoms of the Sultans and Kings of Egypt, Assyria and wider Arabia and utilised as by the Israelites as missiles to express their rage at the tyranny of Alexander the Great.
But today I will be telling you about the species that I found in the mid-nineties when I was commissioned by the Swept Away resort to supply them.
After much searching I was able to establish regular sources of the C Jambhri variety from Southern St Elizabeth, Clarendon and Manchester. This particular variety is characterised by its rough exterior and makes an excellent garnish for savoury and sweet dishes.
It also makes excellent teas. In Colombia it is used it to make soup.
Lemon juice is widely used as a diuretic to flush gravel and stones out of the system. It's a good astringent and febrifuge.
One or two lemons to a glass of warm water makes a refreshing drink which may be used to provoke bowel movement.
It is good for scurvy, gingivitis, stomatitis and inflammation of the tongue.
Further afield, the oil expressed from the seed of the lemon is used medicinally in Cuba to treat fever, while in West Africa it is used to treat gonnorhea. The bark and peel of the lemon are good for treating cases of colic.
Lemon juice mixed with water can be used to clean jewellery. This fruit is a good source of ascorbic acid and cmbined with honey or a pinch of salt makes for a very effective cold remedy.
While they are very rich in essential vitamins and other nutrients, it is not advisable to suck them on a daily basis as they will erode the enamel of your teeth.
Buckston Harrison is well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resides in Sheffield, Westmoreland.
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