Cough treatment with lemon

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

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

Indications

Lemon can be used to relieve coughs and reduce sore throats that occur with influenza and SARS, laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis (tonsillitis). It is also used in the complex  treatment of cough in bronchitis of  bacterial or viral etiology.

By reducing the oxidative stress of the cells of the epithelium of the respiratory organs during their inflammation,  vitamin C of  lemon may act more strongly, since this citrus also contains  vitamin P  , a flavonoid compound that increases the absorption of ascorbic acid and, at the same time, supports immunity in the fight against upper respiratory tract infection.

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

However, the polyphenolic cyclic terpenes of lemon peel essential oil, citral (geranial and neral) and d-limonene, which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, can bring no less benefit; carvene, γ-terpinene, sabinene and myrcene. In addition, another terpene compound, α-pinene, helps widen the airways by acting as a bronchodilator.

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

In patients with acute respiratory infections such as pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia, the plasma concentration of vitamin C is reduced.

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

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

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

Benefits

It has anti-inflammatory activity due to the suppression of cell migration, the production of cytokines, an inflammatory mediator (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 the presence of an 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 in 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 Recipes

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

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

The main thing is not to overdo it, because with infections of the bronchi (related to the lower respiratory tract), an excess of fluid you drink can cause a decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood, leading to headaches, convulsions and confusion.

How to use lemon with cough honey, read the articles:

• Honey with lemon for cough
• Cough treatment with honey

Useful  tea with ginger , lemon and cough honey, read more -  Ginger with lemon

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

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

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

But the way that came down from grandmothers is glycerin, honey and lemon for coughs and sore throats with colds. It is necessary to mix in equal quantities (60-70 ml each) 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 (taken three times a day). Children 5-11 years old take a whole teaspoon; children over 12 years old and adults - two teaspoons per dose. Possible side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, increased thirst, and allergic reactions (with shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue, face, and neck).

They help strengthen the immune system and speed up the recovery of lemon and garlic from a 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 high levels of vitamin C, B1, B2, B6, PP. [12]

Useful information is also in the materials:

• Treatment of laryngitis with alternative means
• Obstructive bronchitis: treatment with alternative means