Kaffir lime is commonly used as a cooking spice. In addition to making dishes more delicious, kaffir lime turns out to save health benefits. Some of these benefits are obtained from the nutritional content and antioxidants contained in it.
Kaffir lime has a Latin name Citrus hystrix. These round, small, dark green citrus fruits with thick skin are also known as limes or kaffir lime.
In Makassar, kaffir lime is known as parallel. Ambonese call it lemon papeda. While in Ternate, this fruit is known as lemon titigila. Not only the fruit, kaffir lime leaves also have many benefits.
Benefits of Kaffir Orange for Health
In traditional medicine, kaffir lime is used as a medicine for colds, fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, and hypertension. However, scientifically, the benefits of kaffir lime to treat these diseases are still not proven.
On the other hand, kaffir lime contains various nutrients. According to several studies, kaffir lime has various health benefits, such as:
1. Has antibacterial properties
Kaffir lime essential oil has been shown to have antibacterial properties. This kaffir lime extract oil can kill bacteria E. coliand Salmonella typhi, which is the cause of food poisoning and typhoid fever.
2. Contains antioxidants
Kaffir lime contains flavonoids. Flavonoids are similar to antioxidants, which can repair cells damaged by free radicals. Most of these flavonoids are found in the orange peel.
3. Maintain healthy skin
Kaffir lime can also be used for the skin. A study found that kaffir lime essential oil can help prevent acne, support the healing process, and fade acne scars. This is because the content of kaffir lime which is anti-inflammatory.
4. Protects the heart and blood vessels
A study links the benefits of flavonoids contained in kaffir lime to a reduced risk of death from heart and blood vessel disease. This is thought to be related to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of orange stomach which can prevent damage to the heart and blood vessels.
5. Suppress cancer cell growth
Based on research in the laboratory, kaffir lime juice and kaffir lime juice can suppress the growth of cancer cells. However, the effectiveness of kaffir lime for cancer treatment still needs to be studied further.
To get the benefits of kaffir lime, you can consume it as a drink, a complement to cooking, or apply it to the skin.
Keep in mind, some of the benefits of kaffir lime above are still limited to small-scale studies, and there is no reliable medical evidence to support the benefits of kaffir lime as a medicine. If you want to consume kaffir lime as an herbal remedy, you are advised to consult a doctor first.
