Limeberry (Triphasia trifolia), also known as Lemon China, Lime Chinese, Limeberry, Trifoliate Limeberry, Lime Orange Berry, Triphasia, Trifoliate Limeberry or Triphasia Limeberry, is a perennial shrub or small tree that produces edible fruit. It is the plant species in the family Rutaceae. It is grown for its edible fruits and medicinal purposes. The tree is erect and glabrous which bears flowers during Late Winter or Early Spring. The fruits of this plant are orange or crimson berry that has a flavor that is reminiscent of sweet lime with an acid sweet taste.

History

It is believed to have originated from China or Southeast Asia. It was anciently introduced to Peninsular Malaysia which has been recently naturalized. It was naturalized and introduced in Thailand and the Philippines or Tropical Asia. Now it is widely introduced in Subtropical to Tropical countries. It is also naturalized on Islands in the Pacific.

Plant

Limeberry is a spiny, erect, glabrous, and evergreen tree up to 1-3 (-7) m in height. The leaves are glossy, trifoliate, dark green; 1.5-2 cm broad, and 2-4 cm long. It has cylindrical buds of size 10-12 X 3-4 mm. The white flowers are fragrant, cup-shaped; 4 mm broad, and 10-13 mm long that turn to dull reddish to orange or crimson fruit. Fruits are ovoid, subglobose berry, fleshy, 1.2-1.5 cm across and 10-15 mm in diameter. The fruit possesses 1 to 3 flattened seeds of 1-3 mm long.

Health benefits of Limeberry

Limeberry is an edible fruit having a sweet taste that could be made as jams and pickled. It possesses a high amount of nutrients that help to maintain good health. The leaves are used to treat colic, diarrhea, and skin ailments. The fruit is useful for cough and sore throat. It assists in weight loss, digestion, skin health, provides relief from constipation, scurvy, eye health, respiratory ailments, peptic ulcer, gout, urinary disorders, etc.

Traditional uses

• In the Philippines, the leaves are used to make aromatic bath salts.
• In Indonesia, the leaves are used to treat the health complaints such as colic, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
• It is also used in cosmetics.
• Limeberry is used in the traditional medicine of South East Asia.
• The plant is believed to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties which help to treat diarrhea, colic, and skin ailments.
• Fruits are useful for sore throats and coughs.
• Fruits should be peeled and soaked in lime water overnight. Then rinse and boil in about 1 cup water along with ½ cup of sugar. It should be rinsed and boiled a second or third time as needed for the sore throat and cough.
• The crushed leaves are applied to treat dandruff.
• Fruit is cooked with sugar and water in Guyana as an aid for coughs which helps to loosen phlegm.

 Precautions                                                                                           

• Some might get allergic reactions to its use.
• It should be consumed in moderate amounts.

How to Eat         

• The ripened fruits are consumed raw, candied or made preserves, marmalade, jams, pickles and beverages.
• Fruits are consumed raw or cooked.

References