Back in the day, you could be forgiven for not having some sort of tea bush (nu-nu balsam, mint, sage, etc) in your back or front yard.  But, it was a rule (unwritten, of course) that you absolutely had to have at least one lime tree somewhere on your property.  And, if I remember correctly, other unwritten rules included you having to fuss about your lime tree, guard it from blight and dote on it as it began presenting its green, then yellow-green bounty each season.

Some adult was forever presenting some child or another adult with a halved lime and insisting they suck on one or both halves if the child or adult whined about feeling the beginnings of a cold-related sore throat. A full-blown cold or fever, on the other hand, had to be dealt with lime tea. Then, an adult would get to squeezing the juice from one lime into a cup of water and bringing that to a gentle boil. Some parents were kind enough to add honey to this tea, after letting it cool for a bit. Others didn’t think the honey was necessary.  Some even made the tea by steeping lime leaves in hot water for some minutes.

Whether the tea was made from the fruit or the leaves, you were sure to be subjected to much talk about the awesomeness of lime’s Vitamin C content. There would also be much conjecture that had you been a regular drinker of lime-juice, instead of all that Kool-Aid/Tang/soft drinks, you wouldn’t be having any cold in the first place.

I also remember adults scoffing at headaches as they headed for their lime leaves to make a tea they were sure would teach aches of the head some manners. Gas, got the same treatment with tea made from the fruit's juice. And, even more scoffing was served up to  indigestion/heart burn. For this, a quick remedy of licking a halved lime was considered sufficient. Or more commonly, a teaspoonful or more of lime juice would be mixed with a bit of water and  the tiniest pinch of soda bicarb or baking soda added to the mix. Drink up!

Yet another ailment which received much scoffing, thanks to lime, was tonsillitis. In this case, contempt was shown by halving, then squeezing the lime into a glass/cup of warm water.  Honey, about two to three teaspoonfuls, was then dropped into the lime-water. Some people added a pinch of salt as well- others didn’t.  This concoction would be sipped, quite smugly and slowly, with the patient, after two sips, reporting that he or she was already feeling the effects.

I have also a faint memory of lime being used to brighten the skin. I remember women rubbing a halved lime/ lime juice directly onto their face and on dark spots on the body.  And, I have a less faint memory of some women who thought themselves too much on the “thick” side drinking a daily concoction of lime juice, water and a teaspoon of honey to help them “cleanse” and shed those extra pounds.

Disclaimer:

The contents of this page are meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. Statements published here ought not to be taken as expert medical advice designed to treat/cure any diseases or health related conditions. Please talk to your doctor or any qualified healthcare professional if you need medical advice (Believe me, WE at RE:BELLE WOULD!)

Lime & Honey Cleansing Tea