Cough treatment with lemon

As a home remedy for coughs, lemon is used mainly due to its high content of ascorbic acid (Acidum ascorbinicum), that is, the antioxidant vitamin C (of which 100 g of this citrus fruit contains about 50 mg) and other vitamins A, B1, B2, B3. [ 1 ]

Analysis of macronutrients in C. limon fruits showed the presence of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) in the pulp and peel. [ 2 ]

Indications

Lemon can be used to relieve cough and reduce sore throat caused by flu and acute respiratory viral infections, laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis (angina). It is also used in the complex treatment of cough caused by bronchitis of bacterial or viral etiology.

By reducing oxidative stress of respiratory epithelial cells during their inflammation, lemon vitamin C can act more powerfully, since this citrus fruit also contains vitamin P, a flavonoid compound that increases the absorption of ascorbic acid and, at the same time, supports the immune system in the fight against upper respiratory tract infections.

The biological activity of lemon tree fruits (Citrus limon) is also determined by other flavonoids: eriodictyol, hesperidin, naringin, apigenin, diosmin, quercetin, limocitrin.

However, no less beneficial can be the polyphenolic cyclic terpenes of lemon peel essential oil – citrals (geranial and neral) and d-limonene, which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties; carven, γ-terpinene, sabinene and myrcene. In addition, another terpene compound – α-pinene – helps to expand the airways, acting as a bronchodilator.

So, an essential oil can be considered a cough remedy, which contains not only the above-mentioned terpene compounds, but also acids: phenolic (dihydroferulic, propanoic, sinapic acid) and carboxylic (citric, malic, quinic, galacturonic, glutaric, homocitric). [ 3 ]

In patients with acute respiratory infections such as pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia, plasma vitamin C concentrations are reduced.

Vitamin C supplementation in acute respiratory infections returns plasma vitamin C levels to normal and reduces the severity of respiratory symptoms. [ 4 ]

A meta-analysis found that vitamin C supplementation at doses of 200 mg or more per day was effective in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold, as well as reducing the frequency of colds.[ 5 ]

In laboratory studies, vitamin C has been shown to have an immunomodulatory effect, influencing phagocytes, interferon production, viral replication, T-lymphocyte maturation, etc. [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Benefits

It has anti-inflammatory activity mediated by suppression of cell migration, production of cytokines, inflammation mediators (D-limonene), leukocyte chemotaxis (D-limonene), interaction with 5-lipoxygenase, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor), IL-6 (interleukin-6). [ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Contraindications

Lemon is contraindicated in case of allergy to citrus fruits, hyperacid and atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, inflammation of the pancreas, ulcers of the oral mucosa and/or deep caries.

Use during pregnancy is detailed in the publication - Lemon during pregnancy

Possible risks

Lemon and its juice can cause irritation of the esophagus and stomach, heartburn and acid reflux, and lead to acid demineralization (erosion) of tooth enamel.

Long-term use of lemon juice, which contains photosensitizing compounds – furanocoumarins bergapten and oxypeucedanin, causes increased sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet rays. [ 10 ]

Lemon Cough Remedy Recipes

It should be borne in mind that lemon for cough, as well as various recipes for cough remedies with lemon, will not be prescribed to you by a doctor, and these are exclusively home treatment methods.

It is naive to believe that tea with lemon for cough will help cure acute bronchitis, but there are medical recommendations regarding the drinking regime for acute respiratory infections and inflammatory processes in the bronchi, that is, you need to drink more fluids. The potential benefits of fluids are to compensate for fluid lost due to fever and reduce the viscosity of bronchial secretions. Thus, you can drink tea with lemon. And in this form, it is advisable to give lemon for cough to a child from 1 year old. [ 11 ]

The main thing is not to overdo it, because with bronchial infections (related to the lower respiratory tract), drinking too much liquid can cause a decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood, leading to headaches, convulsions and confusion.

How to use lemon and honey for cough, read in the articles:

• Honey with lemon for cough
• Treating cough with honey

Tea with ginger, lemon and honey is useful for coughs, read more - Ginger with lemon

Aloe, honey and lemon are used as a home remedy for cough; for how to prepare a healing mixture, see the publication - Aloe for cough

You can also use onion, honey and lemon for cough, more details:

• Onion and garlic with honey for cough
• Treatment of dry and wet cough with onions

Here is a method passed down from grandmothers - glycerin, honey and lemon for cough and sore throat during a cold. Mix equal amounts (60-70 ml each) of food (pure) glycerin, liquid honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice and pour into a glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid. This remedy can be given to children over one year old: half a teaspoon is diluted in a small amount of water (take three times a day). Children aged 5-11 take a whole teaspoon; children over 12 and adults - two teaspoons at a time. Possible side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, increased thirst, and allergic reactions (with shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue, face and neck).

Lemon and garlic help strengthen the immune system and speed up recovery from cough. The composition of lemon is described above, and garlic (Allium sativum) contains sulfur compounds (allicin, alliin, allyl sulfides), terpenes (linalool, α-phellandrene, citral, geraniol) and a high level of vitamin C, B1, B2, B6, PP. [ 12 ]

Useful information is also available in the materials:

• Treatment of laryngitis with folk remedies
• Obstructive bronchitis: treatment with folk remedies