It is a small tree with a smooth, greyishbrown bark and branches that spread into a fairly regular hemisphere. The oval, alternate, evergreen leaves, 3 to 4 inches long, have sometimes a spine in the axil. They are glossy, dark green on the upper side, paler beneath. The calyx is cup-shaped and the thick, fleshy petals, five in number, are intensely white, and curl back. The fruit is earth-shaped, a little rougher and darker than the common, sweet orange: the flowers are more strongly scented and the glands in the rind are concave instead of convex.

Antirheumatic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antiviral, aperitif, bactericidal, febrifuge, restorative, tonic, diuretic and stimulates the central nervous system (aerial part); anthelmintic and antibilious (fruit juice), antiemetic, antitussive, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive and expectorant (fruit). An oil obtained from the seeds contains linolenic acid, which has the ability to reduce cholesterol level in the blood.

Lime
Citrus aurantifolia

Octanal (aldehyde), neryl and geranyl acetates (oil), citral, limonene, β-pinene and fenchone (pericarp).

In indigestion and as an anthelmintic (fruit juice). Both the leaves and the flowers are antispasmodic, digestive and sedative, in the treatment of stomach problems, sluggish digestion, dyspepsia, constipation, abdominal distension, stuffy sensation in the chest, prolapse of the uterus, rectum and stomach. The seed and the pericarp are used in the treatment of anorexia, chest pains, colds, coughs etc.

The cold expressed oil made from the peel is phototoxic.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.