Rutaceae (Citrus Family) – Rutaceae, or the citrus, or rue, family, consists of shrubs, trees, and a few herbs. All of the citrus fruits are from the family Rutaceae.
This family is also known as the rue family and contains flowering plants that generally have a strong scent. The genus Citrus includes oranges, grapefruits, limes and lemons. These fruits have been cultivated since ancient times.
All of the citrus fruits are noted for their fragrance. This is due to limonoids and flavonoids (both of which have strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties). They can help prevent kidney stones, as they contain high levels of citrate. Lemons are the highest, drinking diluted lemon juice daily has been shown to decrease kidney stone formation.
The vitamin C content of citrus fruits is legendary, and regular consumption has been found to decrease your cardiovascular and heart disease risks, whilst increasing life expectancy. Vitamin C is also a natural antihistamine, preventing histamine release and aiding in its detoxification. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress.