Kaffir Lime
Kaffir Lime · มะกรูด（マックルー）
Citrus hystrix
“The knobbly citrus”
| Thai name | มะกรูด |
|---|---|
| Species | Citrus hystrix |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Part used | Fruit (peel) |
| Aroma | Rich citrus, with a faint bitterness |
What is the kaffir lime?
The kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) is a citrus in the rue family, called "makrut (มะกรูด)" in Thailand. With its knobbly skin, the fruit — together with its leaves — has been used in traditional medicine and cooking. In Thailand it is recorded as having long been used as a herbal shampoo for the hair and scalp, and as a herb turned to in fever, headache, bad breath and digestive upsets. PROSEA records it as being used to wash the head and to keep land leeches off the feet. The peel's aroma is led by β-pinene, limonene and sabinene.
Steaming the kaffir lime peel in op samun phrai fills the room with a fresh citrus aroma. The local style of scent rising with the steam has long been enjoyed. In the Thai luk prakop compress, a formulation recorded in the peer-reviewed literature includes the peel at about 5%.
Its peel is grated to flavor cooking, or used in tea and skincare. A fruit rare in Japan, with a deep citrus aroma.
Note: this page introduces the traditions and culture around the plant. It does not guarantee any effect.
📖 Read the Journal article on this herb →