Citrus medica L.

Jeruk cakar harimau or Buddha's hand citron (Citrus medica) is a shrub up to 2 meters tall of the Rutaceae family, native to areas around China and Myanmar. Its unique shape resembling finger-like segments makes it popular as an air freshener and clothing fragrance, besides an ingredient in salads and jam. In China, this citrus is traditionally used to inhibit cancer cells and relieve sore throats.

Grows well in sandy soil with good drainage under full sunlight. Prefers humus-rich, loose, and moist planting media. Not tolerant of drought.

• Stem thorny, irregular branching.
• Leaves oblong-shaped, pinnate venation, leaf length 10-15 cm, pale green in color, serrated edges, and aromatic when crushed.
• Flowers have 4-5 petals, 20-30 stamens in the center, white with slightly purplish-red flower tips and a fragrant scent.
• Fruit shaped like finger segments, bright yellow in color, with 5-25 fingers. This finger shape is a protrusion of the thick fruit skin that elongates into a hand-like shape. Fruit skin rough, bitter astringent taste.

• Propagated vegetatively (air layering, budding, and grafting).
• Air layering is done by choosing a branch with a diameter of 3 cm, neither too old nor too young.

Essential oil (essence oil, hesperidin oil), malic acid, limonene, linalool, terpineol, citronella, umbelliferone, citrusin, scopoletin, β-sitosterol, citrylidene malonic acid, stigmasterol, syringin, coumaric acid.

Inhibits cancer cells, relieves sore throat, improves blood circulation, stabilizes the nervous system, improves digestion, treats colds, indigestion, and worm infections.

• Take fully ripe, bright yellow fruit then slice thinly.
• Dry in direct sunlight covered with a black cloth.
• Once dry, store in a closed, airtight container.

Tangan dewa (Jakarta), Jeruk kuku macan (Aceh).