What fruit was used for colds?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
February 10, 2003
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Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Meyer Lemon, Navel Orange, Key Lime, Venous Orange—>Click here.
In The Herbal, Or General Historie of Plants, John Gerard (1597) wrote of the four known citrus—the citron, limon, orange, and Assyrian apple (grapefruit). Citrus were known to the ancients—Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Arabs, and Jews, then mostly forgotten after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The poet, Virgil, advised citrus as a treatment for poisoning. He wrote of the citron (Citrus medica Linnaeus) in 29 BCE, "...Media yields the bitter juices and slow-lingering taste of the blest citron-fruit, than which no aid comes timelier, when fierce step-dames drug the cup with simples mixed and spells of baneful power, to drive the deadly poison from the limbs." (The Georgics, Book II, Virgil, 29 BCE)
At the time of Gerard, sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) were relatively new to Europe introduced in the late 1400s or early 1500s. Citrons and lemons were best known and usually reserved for medicinal purposes. Gerard repeated the use of citron for poisons and added, "...it is excellent good also to be given in vehement and burning fevers, and against all pestilent...infectious diseases: it comforteth the heart...Men of old time did not eate Citrons, but were contented with the smell, and to lay them amongst cloathes, to preserve them from Moths."
Lemons (Citrus X limon (L.) Osbeck) were recommended to treat skin problems: "...takes away tetters (crusted, itchy skin) and blemishes...and maketh the face faire and smooth."
Gerard offered this formula for the cold and flu season: "Two ounces of the juice of Limons, mixed with the like quantitie of the spirit of wine, or the best Aqua vitae (brandy) and drunke at the first approach of the fit of an ague (fever and chills), taketh away the shaking presently: the medicine seldome faileth at the second time of the taking thereof perfectly to cure the same..."
The Citrus Clonal Protection Program with the University of California, Riverside has posted two photographs of Buddha’s hand, an old and bizarre form of the citron. To view the photographs, click on the link:
http://ccpp.ucr.edu/variety/369.html
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images.
The Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants, Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida has a photograph of lemons taken by Walter Hodge. To view the photograph, click on the link:
http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/images.asp?plantID=1833
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
What is so tricky about a citrus pip? Weird Plants - February 20, 2003
What is a navel orange? Weird Plants - February 13, 2003
What is the Meyer lemon? Weird Plants - February 6, 2003
What is the most common fruit tree? Plants that Changed History - February 11, 2003
How did arsenic poisoning lead to Key limes? Plants that Changed History - February 18, 2003
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Improved Meyer Lemon
Dwarf Citrus Tree
Springhill Nursery®
A taste of the tropics! Dwarf citrus trees bear fragrant flowers followed by tasty fruit! The Improved Meyer Lemon has fruits year-around.
(Move plants indoors for winter in Northern zones.) Kits includes one plant, 10'' pot with saucer and soil.
Shipped in 4'' pot.
Citrus lemon 'Improved Meyer'
Hardiness Zone: 9-10 (24° F)
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Improved Meyer Lemon Dwarf Citrus Tree Ships In The Spring
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
Unique Characteristics: Fruit is coveted by California chefs for its haunting sweetness. Used to flavor everything from fresh fish to lemon sherbet. Hardier than most lemons, extremely adaptable as a container plant and to northern house conditions. Will flower and bear fruit year round. Can be kept as small as 24 inches in a container. Bears fruit in 1-3 years.
Additional Information: In Northern climates, plants should be grown outdoors during temperate months, then moved inside at the onset of freezing weather. This will encourage more fruit production.
What is the Meyer lemon? Weird Plants - February 6, 2003
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Navel Orange Dwarf Citrus Tree
Springhill Nursery®
Produces seedless, three inch fruit mid-fall to mid-spring, fragrant white flowers in summer. Evergreen foliage.
Kit includes one plant, 10'' planter, saucer and soil.
Shipped in 4'' pot.
Citrus sinensis 'Washington Navel'
Hardiness Zone: 9-10 (24° F)
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Navel Orange Tree Kit Ships In The Spring
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
Unique Characteristics: Valued for its fresh use; ease of peeling. Adaptability as a container plant. Will flower and bear fruit year round. Bears fruit in 1-3 years.
Additional Information: In Northern climates, plants should be grown outdoors during temperate months, then moved inside at the onset of freezing weather. This will encourage more fruit production.
What is a navel orange? Weird Plants - February 13, 2003
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Dwarf Key Lime Fruit Trees
Gurney's Seed and Nursery®
Fun, Flowers and Fragrance, Too!
Glossy evergreen foliage, sweetly scented flowers and edible fruit in one! The Dwarf Key Lime can be moved outdoors in summer, so the bees take care of pollination for you.
Varieties grow from 2-5 feet tall. Pick citrus in 1-3 years, figs and pomegranates in 2-4 years and bananas in 3-5 years.
Potted plants.
Hardiness Zone: 9-10 (30° F)
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Dwarf Key Lime Fruit Trees Ships In Both Spring And Fall
Click here - $20 off any order for $50 or more at Gurneys.com!
Comments: Four hours or more of direct sunlight from a south window. Let plant approach dryness before watering. Average indoor humidity levels. Day temperature 65-70 degrees F; night temperature 50-55 degrees F. Use an acid-balanced fertilizer throughout the year and add trace elements in spring. Leaves will drop if soil is too wet or too dry. High pH or high soluble salts can cause leaf yellowing. Will not bloom if light is too low. May need to hand pollinate for better fruit production.
How did arsenic poisoning lead to Key limes? Plants that Changed History - February 18, 2003
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Dwarf Venous Orange Fruit Trees
Gurney's Seed and Nursery®
Fun, Flowers and Fragrance, Too!
The Dwarf Venous Orange offer evergreen foliage, sweetly scented flowers and edible fruit all in one!
Can be moved outdoors in summer, so the bees take care of pollination for you. Varieties grow from 2-5 feet tall. Pick citrus in 1-3 years.
Potted plants.
Hardiness Zone: 9-10 (30° F)
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Dwarf Venous Orange Fruit Trees Ships In Both Spring And Fall
Click here - $20 off any order for $50 or more at Gurneys.com!
Comments: Four hours or more of direct sunnlight from a south window. Let plant approach dryness before watering. Average indoor humidity levels. Day temperature 65-70 degrees F; night temperature 50-55 degrees F. Use an acid-balanced fertilizer throughout the year and add trace elements in the spring. Leaves will drop if soil is too wet or too dry. High pH or high soluble salts can cause leaf yellowing. Will not bloom if light is too low. May need to hand pollinate for better fruit production.
What is the most common fruit tree? Plants that Changed History - February 11, 2003
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