Utrudzhzh - citron

Essence.
Citron is well known. The oil extracted from its rind is stronger, and that extracted from its flowers is weaker in every respect.

Nature.
The citron rind is hot in the first degree, dry at the limit of the second; its fleshy part is hot and moist to the first degree. However, some doctors believe that it is cold and damp in the first degree and that the coldness in it exceeds the humidity. Citron acid is cold and dry in the third degree, the seeds are hot in the second and they dry in the third.

Actions and properties.
The pulp of the citron swells, but its leaves soothe the swelling, and the color of the citron is softer. Its acid binds and breaks up yellow bile, and its seeds and crust act as a solvent. Putting citron peel in a dress will prevent worms from appearing; its smell improves the spoiled air and prevents pestilence.

Cosmetics.
Citron acid clears the complexion and reduces freckles. Citron peel is good to lubricate during bahak, and its decoction gives a pleasant smell to the breath. Citron makes you fat; its peels also give a pleasant smell to your breath if you hold them in your mouth.

Tumors and acne.
Citron acid in the form of an ointment is useful for lichen.

Tools with joints.
Citron oil provides relaxation benefits; such oil is extracted only from the rind, and it also helps against paralysis; acid is harmful to the nerves.

Organs of the head.
Citron helps with facial paralysis; its decoction gives the breath a very pleasant smell.

Organs of the eye.
Citronic acid is used to lubricate the eyes and it reduces “ocular jaundice”.

Respiratory and chest organs.
Citron acid soothes hot heartbeats, and its jam has a good effect on the throat and lungs; however, the acid in citron is harmful to the breasts. If the pulp of the citron is boiled in vinegar and given to drink in a quantity of half a scurraj, it kills the swallowed leech and removes it.

Nutritional organs.
The fleshy part of the citron is harmful to the stomach; it bloats it and is slowly digested; therefore it should be eaten with citron jam; the honey jam itself is healthier and is better digested if you don’t eat too much of it, while citron leaves strengthen the stomach and entrails.

After jam in terms of usefulness comes its color and crust. If they are added to dishes as a spice, they facilitate digestion; the crust itself, due to its hardness, is not digestible. A decoction of citron soothes vomiting, and its sour juice, boiled until thick, acts on the stomach as a tannin; sour citron juice helps against jaundice, soothes bilious vomiting and stimulates appetite. Citron should be eaten alone, without mixing it with any other food, either before or after.

Eruption organs.
The pulp of citron causes kulanj, and the acid locks the stomach and helps against bilious diarrhea.

Citron seeds help with kidney problems and have a laxative effect; its acid calms lust in women.

Poisons.
Citron seeds in the amount of two dirhams in the form of a drink or ointment with wine, boiled wine or hot water resist all poisons, but in drink or ointment, especially scorpion poison. Citron rind works in much the same way. Squeezing the juice out of it and drinking it helps against poisonous snake bites, and the peel itself is used as a medicinal bandage.