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

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Synopsis

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

Lemon has long been used in traditional remedies for colds and fevers. In many cultures, hot lemon drinks—often combined with honey—are a common home treatment for symptoms such as sore throat, congestion, and mild fever. The rationale behind this traditional use is primarily due to lemon’s high vitamin C content, which is believed to support immune function, as well as its refreshing taste and soothing effects when mixed with warm fluids. However, the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of lemon specifically for treating colds or fever is limited. While some studies suggest that vitamin C may slightly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms, the effect is modest and not unique to lemon; it can be obtained from various fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, there is no compelling clinical evidence that lemon itself has a direct antiviral or fever-reducing effect. Its main benefits are likely supportive—providing hydration, a small boost of vitamin C, and some symptomatic relief. In summary, lemon’s use in treating colds (with fever) is justified by tradition, with limited scientific evidence rating about 2 out of 5; it is safe for most people and may offer mild symptomatic comfort, but it should not be considered a primary or standalone treatment for colds or fever.

More about lemon
More about Colds (with fever)

Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)

Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
Yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
Trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
avens
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bur-reed
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
capillary artemisia
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
chrysophanics
dragonhead
Eclipta
fruit
flavoglycosides
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Glechoma hederacea
honey
hemp
Horsemint
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
long pepper
Indian fagonia
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
lodhtree
little ironweed
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
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reed herb
Sesbania
Smartweed
Solanaceae
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Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Shogaol
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Thymus
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