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Lime
Raise your hands if you knew there was more than one variety of lime.
I’m totally raising my hand right now, but only because we didn’t ask this question before I did all of my research for this post. Crazy, right? I’m a southern girl. I’m married to a dude who is always on the hunt for The Best key lime pie. I even do the grocery shopping! And I still didn’t realize that there was more than one type of lime.
They’re not my thing. I’m sorry.
Except in water.
I LOVE some water with torn up mint and lime slices. Does that make them my thing? Maybe.
Okay, so there’s two main varieties of lime. Key limes (Citrus aurantifolia) and Persian limes (Citrus latifolia). According to Wikipedia:
The Key lime is a citrus hybrid with a spherical fruit, 25–50 mm in diameter. The Key lime is usually picked while it is still green, but it becomes yellow when ripe. The Key lime is smaller, seedier, has higher acidity, stronger aroma, and thinner rind than the Persian lime.
Persian lime, also known by other common names such as seedless lime, Bearss lime and Tahiti lime, is a citrus fruit species of hybrid origin, known only in cultivation. The Persian lime is a triploid cross between key lime and lemon.
Since I just discovered that there are different lime varieties, I’m hardly going to pretend to be an expert on them. Instead I headed over to US Citrus to find out what the real differences are and how they benefit us humans.
Uses For Persian Limes
You can use Persians limes interchangeably for the same purposes you would use lemons and key limes for. You can also use these limes as a substitute for vinegar. You can even use the juice of Persian limes as a way to clean those stubborn lime deposits that pop up on the inside of tea kettles and coffee pots.
The juice of Persian limes can also be used homeopathically to help effectively relieve pain from stinging coral, which is good to know if you love swimming in oceans. Since these limes are larger than key limes, you can get more juice out of them than from the limes you are probably used to.
This lime juice benefit makes these limes ideal for any recipe where you need a lot of lime juice like zesty lime marinades, guacamole, delicious margaritas, mojitos, and limeade. Or to simply slice up these limes and put them in a big glass of water.
Since key limes, lemons and Persian limes can be used for most of the same things, the possibilities for cooking with Persian limes are seemingly endless. Anytime a recipe calls for some lime juice, use a Persian lime. This big lime will give you more juice and will last you much longer than many other tiny limes.
Read the full article at https://uscitrus.com/blogs/citrus-simplified/what-are-persian-tahiti-limes.
Uses For Key Limes
1. Immunity
As mentioned above, limes contain a lot of vitamin C, which is necessary for your immunity. In some studies, vitamin C helped increase white blood cell production. You need white blood cells for protection from diseases and infection.
Vitamin C could also help reduce the severity of a cold, as well as how long you might experience symptoms.
Key lime benefits your ability to heal from wounds, too. Vitamin C could help reduce inflammation, which is your body’s natural response to illness and intruders. Meanwhile, vitamin C also stimulates collagen production—a protein necessary for wound repair.
By consuming key lime fruits, you can boost your immunity and protect your body!
2. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can damage your cells, which could lead to:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Cancer
Key limes contain numerous compounds that work as antioxidants, including:
- Ascorbic acid
- Limonoids
- Quercetin
- Flavonoids
- Kaempferol
By consuming key limes, you can produce more antioxidants to protect yourself from free radicals.
3. Heart Disease
One person dies in the US from cardiovascular disease every 37 seconds. If you’re concerned about your heart health, start researching where to buy key lime plants.
Key limes could help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. For starters, key limes are rich in vitamin C as we’ve discussed. Vitamin C can help reduce your blood pressure levels, which is a major risk factor.
Vitamin C could also protect you from developing atherosclerosis. This disease causes plaque to build up in your arteries, which further contributes to heart problems.
4. Skin Health
Your body needs vitamin C to create collagen, which keeps your skin strong and firm. Otherwise, you could start experiencing dry skin and wrinkles.
Key lime benefits your skin by combating premature aging. The antioxidants can keep your skin in balance, minimize wrinkles, and keep your skin looking firm.
5. Iron Absorption
Your body needs iron to produce red blood cells. Iron is also essential for ensuring oxygen travels throughout your body. When your iron levels are low, it could cause iron deficiency anemia.
As a result, you could experience:
- Paleness
- Dry skin and hair
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
One of the many impressive key lime health benefits is how this fruit improves how the body absorbs iron.
Read the full article at https://uscitrus.com/blogs/citrus-simplified/key-lime-love-5-amazing-health-benefits-of-key-limes.
If you really want to get confused, try looking up the history and lore of lime trees. You’ll pull up a ton of European lore and myths. The problem? The lime tree that they are referencing isn’t really a lime tree at all. It’s the Linden Tree (Tilia europaca). Unless you’re in America. Then we call is Basswood (Tilia Americana). Still not lime. Which is a shame because it was really interesting and a rabbit hole that I would like to continue exploring.
Lime oil
Not surprising at this point, essential oils also use different varieties of limes. Normally a Vitality oil contains the same oil as its non-Vitality counterpart. Lime is one of the exceptions.
Primary Composition: monoterpenes
Primary Effects: antiviral / antiseptic
Indications: colds / flu / fever / crowded contaminated rooms
Contraindications: none known
Interactions: none known
Additional Effects: phototoxic (expressed)
Administration: Lime oil can be taken internally. It can also be used topically in ratios of no more than 1:10 and care should always be taken to avoid UV exposure after application. It is also suitable for diffusion.
Notes: Lime oil is much like lemon oil when it comes to aromatherapy. The two are often used interchangeably. Lime oil is well suited for diffusion in a crowded room. The combination of effects (calming and antiseptic) will help to soothe a crowd, and clear the air of airborne pathogens.
Excerpted from Understanding Holistic Health, page 156
(Citrus aurantifolia)
The Key Lime
With a bright and refreshing citrus scent, Lime essential oil smells just like freshly sliced limes. When diffused this summery aroma can uplift your environment. Lime oil has a versatile scent that complements most other citrus essential oils such as Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Orange, and Tangerine.
If you’re feeling uninspired, try diffusing Lime oil for a bright, refreshing aroma that may clear a path to greater creativity. This quality also makes Lime a great choice for diffusing in classrooms and children’s play areas. Lime can also support radiant skin! Try adding a couple of drops to your favorite nighttime moisturizer for healthier-looking skin. Because Lime is a citrus oil, it may cause photosensitivity, so be sure to avoid applying it to exposed skin before spending time in the sun.
Lime essential oil uses
- For an aroma that helps you feel inspired and uplifted, diffuse 8–10 drops of Lime in your favorite diffuser. For variety combine it with other citrus oils such as Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Orange, and Tangerine.
- For an extra boost of citrus throughout the house, add a few drops of Lime to household cleaners. To freshen your refrigerator, add several drops to a box of baking soda and keep it in the refrigerator to absorb odors.
(Citrus latifolia)
The Persian Lime
Lime Vitality™ essential oil is prized for its ability to bring a unique citrus flavor and delicious zing to any food or beverage. Adding a few drops of Lime Vitality essential oil to your dishes is the perfect way to elevate your cooking. Whether you’re stirring it into drinks for a bright burst of flavor or giving your food a little extra citrus zip, Lime Vitality essential oil is a welcome kick of summer that you can enjoy year-round.
Lime Vitality Essential Oil Uses:
- Add 1 drop of Lime Vitality to a vegetarian gel capsule and take daily or as needed as a dietary supplement.
- Combine Lime Vitality essential oil with olive oil to use as a marinade for meat and veggies.
- Include a drop to your stir fry to bring dimension and add a great depth of flavor.
- Add a little Lime Vitality oil to berry dishes to complement their natural sweetness
- Enjoy staying hydrated and add variety by infusing your water with a drop or two of Lime Vitality
Primarily used in skin care and in supporting and strengthening the respiratory and immune systems.
Medical Properties: Antirheumatic, antiviral, antibacterial
Uses: Skin conditions (acne, herpes), insect bites, respiratory problems, decongests the lymphatic system, weight loss
Caution: Possible sun sensitivity.
Excerpted from The Essential Oils Desk Reference, 7th Edition, page 108
Thank you for digging deeper into Lime with me. I am very passionate about herbs, oils, and the education of their uses.
Please remember that essential oils are very concentrated products and should never be ingested unless specifically labeled for such use.
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Finally, the obligatory disclaimer.
I am not a doctor. None of the statements included in this post have been approved by the FDA or any other cool acronym known agency. It is Young Living’s official stance that they and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any specific disease or illness. Young Living Independent Distributor #14632733
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