This shrubby, thorny tree up to 16 feet tall has a curved trunk and ovate leaves that resemble orange leaves. The flowers are yellowish-white, with a light purple margin. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year. The green fruit is globose and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. It is seedier and more acidic than the limes sold in US grocery stories. In the US, it is known as Key lime.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, tropical South America, India, Egypt, Texas, Florida, Georgia
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Febrifuge, vermifuge, antibacterial, diuretic, hepatoprotective, astringent, diuretic, antiseptic, tonic. Treats nausea, vomiting, cough, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, heart palpitations, body odor, rheumatism, arthritis, hair loss, halitosis, insomnia, insect bites, obesity, headache, stomach conditions, tired eyes.
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
To reduce fevers, place a 1-inch by 4-inch strip of bark in 1 quart water. Boil, covered,
for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Drink instead of water until fever breaks. Drink 3 cups per day as a diuretic, hepataprotective, tonic for nausea, vomiting, coughs, heart palpitations, body odor, rheumatism, arthritis, and for stomach conditions. Drink 1 cup warm before bed
for insomnia. Use cooled as a rinse for skin conditions, hair loss, and insect bites. Let sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. For nausea and vomiting, combine 1 cup water,
10 drops lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and
1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Drink in one serving. As a vermifuge, mix the juice of 1 lime with 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Drink in one sitting. For coughs, add 1/2 cup honey, the
gel of 1 aloe vera leaf, the juice of two limon indios, and 2 tablespoons chopped onions to a blender. Blend until smooth, and administer 2 tablespoons per hour as needed. For weight loss and to cleanse the system, mix the juice of 1/2 lime and 1 teaspoon honey in 1 cup room temperature water. Drink first thing each morning. For halitosis, rinse with the juice of 1limon indio each morning and after each meal. For headaches, crush the leaves and apply directly to the forehead. For tired eyes, boil
a handful of petals from a Rose of Castile in
1 liter water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool. Add five drops limon indio juice, and use as an eyewash.
