Synopsis

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

Citrus fruits, especially lemons and oranges, have been traditionally used in various cultures to help soothe coughs, including spastic (or dry, irritating) coughs. Folk remedies often include warm water with lemon and honey as a common home treatment for coughs, believed to provide relief by soothing throat irritation and providing vitamin C. The rationale is partly based on citrus fruits’ vitamin C content, which is thought to support immune function, and their acidic nature, which may help break down mucus. However, when it comes to spastic cough specifically, strong scientific validation is lacking. Most clinical studies on vitamin C and citrus fruits focus on cold prevention or immune support rather than direct cough relief. While some laboratory studies suggest that vitamin C may have a minor role in reducing the duration or severity of respiratory symptoms, these effects are modest and not specific to spastic cough. Overall, while citrus-based remedies for cough are widely popular in traditional medicine, rigorous scientific evidence to support their efficacy for spastic cough is limited. As such, their use is primarily justified by tradition rather than robust clinical research.

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