Medicinal Plants

Citrus amblycarpa (Hassk.) Ochse

Jeruk Limau

Rutaceae

Location in the garden Fruit
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Citrus amblycarpa (Jeruk Limau) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Citrus amblycarpa (Jeruk Limau) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Citrus amblycarpa (Jeruk Limau)

Summary

Jeruk limau (Citrus amblycarpa) is a shrub up to 7 meters tall from the Rutaceae family, a citrus native to West Java widely grown in local yards. Its fruit and leaves are an essential seasoning in Indonesian soto and siomay dishes. The essential oil in jeruk limau leaves and fruit peel has been proven to have analgesic and antioxidant activity.

Agroecology

Three main climates suitable for commercial citrus production are: tropical climate, subtropical with winter rain such as in the Mediterranean, and semitropical with summer rainfall such as found in Florida and southern Brazil. The optimal temperature for citrus cultivation ranges between 25-30°C, with the coldest month averaging at least 15°C. Growth generally stops below 13°C and above 38°C. If there is a dry period longer than three months, irrigation will be required. This species is cultivated at elevations from sea level up to 350 m. Prefers deep, well-drained loamy soil, but moisture-retentive, in full sun. Prefers a pH in the range of 5-6.

Morphology

  • Stem woody, thorny twigs, short nail-shaped thorns.
  • Leaves, petiole 0.5 to 3.5 cm long. Leaf blade ovate, elliptic or elongated, with a blunt or bluntly tapering tip, often weakly indented inward, margin crenate curving inward, 2-15 cm long.
  • Flowers, corolla white or yellowish white and fragrant.
  • Fruit ball-shaped or flattened ball-shaped, 4-7.5 cm in diameter, dull yellow, orange or green with yellow, rind 0.3-0.5 cm thick, flesh light yellow, orange-yellow or reddish, with juice vesicles fused to one another and fragrant.

Cultivation

Propagation of jeruk limau is done generatively (seed) and vegetatively (mature stem cuttings and air-layering). Seeds are best sown directly after the fruit ripens. Germination usually occurs within 2-3 weeks at 13°C.

Chemical Content

Phytosterol, fatty acids, terpenes, 6-octadecenoic acid, palmitate and (fragrance compounds such as alpha sinensal, alpha limonene, beta citronellal, citronellol, and sabinene), flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, glycosides, and essential oil.

Benefits

Has antioxidant and analgesic activity. Boosts the immune system, treats flu, refreshes tired eyes, treats diabetes, canker sores.

Local Names

Jeruk limo (Java, Sunda), Jeruk sambal (Betawi/Jakarta).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Refreshing tired eyes from Jeruk Limau

1. Refreshing tired eyes

  • Prepare jeruk limau, ice water, and cotton.
  • Mix jeruk limau juice into the ice water then take cotton and dip it in.
  • Place on the eyes. 
  • The eyes will feel refreshed and ready to start new activities.
Traditional recipe Canker sores from Jeruk Limau

2. Canker sores

  • Prepare 1 jeruk limau fruit.
  • Slice and take the juice.
  • Drip the jeruk limau juice onto the canker sore, and your canker sore will heal quickly, although you will feel an extraordinary sting.  

Reference Sources

  1. Useful Tropical Plants. 2021. Citrus amblycarpa. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Citrus+amblycarpa. 27-12-2021.
  2. R. A. I. K. Maharani, N. K. Cahyaningsih, M. D. Abimanyu, dan K. W. Astuti. 2020. Kulit Buah Jeruk Limau (Citrus amblycarpa (Hassk.) Osche) Sebagai Anagesik. Jurnal Kimia (Journal of Chemistry) 14 (1), Januari 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24843/JCHEM.2020.v14.i01.p05. 27-12-2021.
  3. Rahmat Budiarto., dkk. 2017. The Potentials of Limau (Citrus amblycarpa Hassk. Ochse) as A Functional Food and Ornamental Mini Tree Based on Metabolomic and Morphological Approaches. Journal of Tropical Crop Science, Vol 4 No 2. 2017. 27-12-2021.
  4. Yuzami, dkk. 2005. Ensiklopedia Flora. Bogor: PT Kharisma Ilmu. hlm. 104. 
  5. Nindya Nareswari . 2011. Pembuatan Salep Minyak Atsiri Daun Jeruk Limau (Citrus amblycarpa (Hassk) ochse) dan Uji Stabiitas terhadap tipe basis yang Digunakan. Fakutas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam.  Universitas Sebelas Maret. Surakarta. 27-12-2021.
  6. Andhika. 2017. Manfaat Jeruk Limau yang Wajib Anda Ketahui. https://sudardjattanusukma.wordpress.com/2017/11/29/manfaat-jeruk-limau-yang-wajib-anda-ketahui/. 27-12-2021.