Toss it in your salad, have it in a delightful drink, add it inyour chilli sauce for that extra punch, or as a staringredient in an exotic main course, kaffir lime works wonders in any dish or drink it graces. A close cousin ofBengal’s famous Gondhoraj lebu, it has a distinct flavour, is sour, slightly edgy but outstandingly aromatic.
Renowned for its flavour-enhancing qualities, kaffir limeis more than just a tasty addition to dishes. Packed withessential nutrients, this tropical fruit offers a rich sourceof vitamins, notably vitamin C, minerals, calcium,magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. The fruit,especially its peel, is also rich in antioxidants, includinglimonene and citronellal compounds. Ubiquitous to Thai Green curry, kaffir lime leaves not onlyadd a distinct flavour but also the right colour too.Chefs adorethem as they possess an aromatic quality with citrusyundertones along with a delicate nutty essence renderinga distinctive and unparalleled taste in various culinarycreations. Here are somehealth benefits of kaffir lime:
Reduces inflammation
The juice, leaves, or oil extract of this amazing fruit have ananti-inflammatory effect thereby immensely helping intreating arthritis, edema, migraine, headache and gouttoo.
Good for oral health
Rubbing fresh leaves on the gums helps to promote goodoral health and eliminate harmful bacteria. No wonder,kaffir oil is used in toothpaste and mouthwash that promote oral and gum care.
Works as an insect repellent
The citronellal and limonene compounds in kaffir lime helpin reducing the burning sensation caused by insect bites providing immediate relief.
Relieves anxiety
Believed to have been used in traditional Chinese medicineand Ayurveda to calm the mind, it helps relax the mindand body. According to experts, for anxiety relief, simplyinhale kaffir lime essential oil, massage it on your skin,add the oil to a bath or go for kaffir lime tea, it helps.
Promotes digestive health
Rich in fibre and citric acid, it helps to stimulate thedigestive system and promote bowel regularity,relieving symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, bloating, and gas.
Promotes cardiovascular health
Kaffir lime is known to improve heart health in a numberof ways. It is rich in the compound limonene which helps inreducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well asinflammation of the arteries.
Boosts immunity
As kaffir lime is an excellent source of vitamin C, whichis one of the most well-known immune-boostingnutrients, it helps the body to produce white blood cells, which help in fighting infection.Kaffir lime also containsa high concentration of citronellal, a natural antisepticcompound.
Prevents cancer
Kaffir lime helps in preventing cancer by inhibiting thegrowth of cancerous cells due to its compoundlimonene.
In addition, kaffir lime contains othercompounds like flavonoids and terpenes, which are saidto have anti-cancer properties. From its delicious flavour to its amazing healthproperties, kaffir lime is worth incorporating into yourdiet. Additionally, it is a wonderful ingredient for quick home-based remedies for skin and haircare too.
Good inclusion to haircare
The rich composition of kaffirlime makes it an excellent choice for nourishing andrejuvenating your hair. You can create a simple DIY scalptreatment by mixing a few drops of kaffir lime oilwith oils like coconut or jojoba oil and gentlymassage it onto your scalp. Leave it on for 30minutes before washing it off.
Kaffir lime can lend a lustrousshine to your locks. Prepare a hair mask by blending kaffir lime leaves into a paste and mixing it withyoghurt. Apply this mask to your hair, leave it on for20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Thevitamins and antioxidants present in kaffir limeleaves will leave your hair feeling soft andnourished.
The vitamin C content of kaffir lime stimulates collagen production, which inturn promotes healthy hair growth. Create a hairrinse by boiling kaffir lime leaves in water andallowing it to cool. After shampooing, use this rinseas a final rinse to invigorate your scalp andencourage hair growth.
Kaffir lime for skin care
Loaded with vitamin C, kaffir limecan help brighten your skin and reduce theappearance of dark spots and blemishes.
Create aface mask by mixing kaffir lime juice with honeyand applying it to your face. Allow it to sit for 15minutes before rinsing off. Regular use can lead toa more radiant complexion.
The granular texture of dried kaffir limepeel can serve as a gentle exfoliant, helping removedead skin cells and revealing fresh skin underneath.Crush dried kaffir lime peel into a fine powder andmix it with yoghurt or honey.
Gently massage thismixture onto your skin and then rinse for a naturalexfoliation experience.
Kaffir lime possesses antibacterialproperties that make it effective in controlling acnebreakouts. Extract the juice from kaffir lime anddilute it with water.
Use a cotton ball to apply thismixture to your acne-prone areas. Leave it on for afew minutes before rinsing off.
(Published 01 October 2023, 00:43 IST)