Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lemon has been traditionally used as a home remedy to help prevent or treat colds. Its use is rooted in the belief that its high vitamin C content can boost the immune system and reduce the duration or severity of cold symptoms. Historically, lemons and other citrus fruits became popular for their vitamin C after the discovery that they could prevent scurvy among sailors, but their association with colds is more recent and largely based in folk medicine and common practice rather than robust scientific evidence.

While vitamin C is essential for normal immune function, multiple large-scale scientific reviews and meta-analyses have found that routine vitamin C supplementation does not significantly reduce the incidence of colds in the general population, though it may slightly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. The amount of vitamin C in a glass of lemon juice is moderate, but not as high as in some supplements or other fruits. Most studies use higher doses of vitamin C than what is typically found in dietary lemon consumption. Additionally, lemon contains antioxidants and flavonoids, but there is no direct evidence that consuming lemon specifically prevents colds.

In summary, lemon’s role in cold prevention is supported mostly by tradition with limited scientific backing. It can be a soothing addition to drinks for symptom relief, but should not be relied upon as a primary preventive measure.

More about lemon
More about Colds (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

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green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
Waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
beta-glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
Marshmallow
Moringa
mustard seed
Nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic compounds
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
Yeast
Zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
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apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
black seed
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bioflavonoids
black salt
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
borneol
Camellia sinensis
coconut
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
Cinnamomum
coriander
capillary artemisia
citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
capsaicin
Chinese raisintree
Chlorophytum
cowherb
Cistus
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Celosia
currant
Dianthus
dragonhead
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
European five-finger grass
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavoglycosides
goldthread
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
Glechoma hederacea
galactooligosaccharides
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
honey loquat syrup
Herb Robert
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
Ilex
Kokilaksha
lime
Lebbek
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
Ligustrum
lodhtree
labrador tea
Ligusticum
mandarin
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Melia
Monoterpenes
mace
Meadow sage
marigold
Mushroom
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Prunus
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Rubiaceae
Rooibos
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
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Sagebrush
Shogaol
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
White Tea
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zingerone