Mahlung / महाळुंग / Citron / Citrus medica

  • Local Name: Mahlung / महाळुंग
  • Common Name: Citron
  • Botanical Name: Citrus medica

Status & Habitat

  • Status: LC (Least Concern)

  • Habitat: Tree

  • Occurrence: Moist areas

  • Season of Availability: Year-round

  • Geography: India

  • Method of Propagation: Seeds and vegetative propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds and grafting

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruit

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Fruit may be made into a jam or pickled. Rind is edible too. Leaves are simmered with tea to prepare kahwa. Pieces of fruit are dried and salted.

  • As Medicine: Fresh juice is drank to cure acidity. Fruit is rich in vitamin C which helps with immunity; flowers help with digestion; peel essential oil has antibiotic properties.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes

  • Boiling Before Cooking: No

  • Pickling: Yes

  • Brining: Yes

  • Fermenting: Yes

  • Drying for later Consumption: Yes

  • Overall Method: Can be pickled or juiced; fruit may be eaten raw for its juicy, fleshy pulp; may be candied.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Contains vitamin C and iso-limonene.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Aids in digestion ailments, Piles, Immunity, Fever, Cold and cough, Insect repellant

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Fruit is rich in vitamin C which helps with immunity; flowers help with digestion; peel essential oil has antibiotic properties.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Kimb: Wash, peel, and deseed fruit. Squeeze out juice and add salt. Cut fruit into pieces. Roast sesame seeds and peanuts. Grind peanuts, sesame seeds, coriander leaves, chilli, and sugar. Mix paste with fruit, add chilli powder, and serve.