The Sukkot holiday brings with it the Four Species, and at their center is the citron — a fragrant, unique, and ancient fruit that has been considered for generations a symbol of beauty, purity, and abundance. But beyond its religious meaning, it turns out that the citron also has quite a bit to offer in terms of health. Like its more familiar relatives — the orange, grapefruit, and lemon — the citron is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help the body fight inflammation and strengthen the immune system. The citron peel contains essential oils with a strong scent that, for hundreds of years, have been used in traditional medicine for calming, cleansing, and flavoring.
Beyond the vitamin C that strengthens the immune system, the citron also contains vitamin B6, which helps the body produce energy and maintain the nervous system. In addition, it provides potassium, which helps balance blood pressure and supports heart health, calcium that is important for bones and teeth, and also magnesium, which helps relax the muscles and maintain a regular heartbeat. In short, a small fruit with a lot of power.
In folk tradition, especially among Jewish communities from North Africa and Yemen, people used to grate citron peel onto the scalp or prepare an infusion from it, believing it helped reduce oiliness and dandruff. The explanation probably lies in the essential oils in the peel, which have a natural antimicrobial effect. Although this has not been tested in clinical studies, it is definitely an intriguing tip that has been passed down from generation to generation.
What can you do with the citron after the holiday?
In addition to its health benefits, the scent of the citron makes it an excellent base for oils and infusions. The pure essential oil is extracted by steam distillation and is somewhat difficult to obtain in Israel, but from the peel one can (even at home) produce a gently scented oil. It’s a simple and fragrant solution that gives the citron “new life” even after the holiday.
Peel the yellow rind (without the white part), place it in a jar with almond oil or mild olive oil, leave it in a dark place for two to three weeks, and strain. You’ll get a delicately scented citron oil that can be used for massage, in the bath, or even as a natural home fragrance.
In addition to its nutritional benefits, tradition also attributes to the citron certain virtues related to fertility — but what does science say?
There is no scientific or medical evidence that citron jam helps women conceive. The belief in this matter comes mainly from folk sources and Jewish Kabbalah, where the citron is considered a fruit with special powers — especially after the Sukkot holiday, when people traditionally make jam or candies from it, and sometimes attribute to eating it blessings for fertility, health, and domestic harmony.
From a scientific and medical standpoint, there is no known component in the citron or its jam that directly affects fertility or chances of conception. Fertility treatments are based on hormonal balance, ovulation tracking, and sometimes medical interventions — not on specific foods. So citron jam can be tasty and traditional, and may even contribute to a sense of hope and spiritual connection, but it has no proven medical validity in promoting fertility.
The writer is a clinical dietitian at Maccabi Healthcare Services, Southern District.