Citrus medica
Citron
Citrus medica, commonly known as the citron, is a primitive citrus species valued for its aromatic rind and medicinal properties. Rich in essential oils and vitamin C, it is traditionally used to treat digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and skin conditions. This ancient fruit remains a cornerstone in traditional herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Citrus medica
- Family: Rutaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales and the family Rutaecae, it is classified under the genus Citrus. As Citrus medica, it represents a distinct medicinal species within this botanical hierarchy.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Citrus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Citrus medica, is referred to by various common names depending on the regional language and script used. In Simplified Chinese, it is commonly called 枸橼 (zh-hans) or 枸橼 (zh-cn), and it shares this same nomenclature in Singapore (zh-sg). In Traditional Chinese contexts, it is identified as 枸櫞 (zh-hant), a name that is also used in Hong Kong (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 枸橼 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 枸櫞 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 枸櫞 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 枸橼 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 枸橼 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 枸櫞 | Wikidata |
| pl | cytron | Wikidata |
| sw | Mfurungu | Wikidata |
| ga | crann ciotrón | Wikidata |
| ar | أترج | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Citrus medica, exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the territories of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Its range also extends into the Macaronesian islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, it is documented in the Canary Islands as part of this island group. Additionally, the species is present in the Madeiran archipelago.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Oman | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Citrus medica, offers various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The most prominent medicinal part is the fruit, which is often harvested for its nutritional and healing benefits. Specifically, the rind of the fruit is highly valued in traditional medicine due to its concentrated essential oils and bioactive compounds. In addition to the fruits, the leaves are also frequently employed in herbal preparations. Whether using the whole Leaf or the fleshy part of the fruit, each component of this citrus species contributes uniquely to its medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rind | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Citrus medica has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 42 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, limonene, terpenes, (-)-balanophonin, 4-methoxy salicylic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 42
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-balanophonin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-methoxy salicylic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chloroform | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acacetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcohols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alkanes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Citrus medica has 8 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Citrus medica has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Ascaris lumbricoides, COVID-19, E. coli, anti-oxidant.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ascaris lumbricoides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-oxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac dysrhythmia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatigue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| influenza virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |