Evidence supporting the use of: Lime
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) has been used in various traditional medicine systems to address digestive complaints, including gas and bloating. In Ayurvedic and traditional folk medicine, lime juice is sometimes consumed after meals to aid digestion and reduce discomfort caused by gas formation. The rationale, historically, has been that the acidic nature of lime juice can stimulate digestive secretions, potentially supporting the breakdown of food and reducing fermentation that leads to gas.
However, scientific research specifically evaluating lime’s efficacy for gas and bloating is quite limited. While citrus fruits like lime contain compounds such as flavonoids and vitamin C, which may have general digestive benefits, there are no robust clinical trials or systematic reviews directly supporting its use for these symptoms. The available evidence is largely anecdotal or extrapolated from broader research on citrus fruits’ impact on digestion. Some studies suggest certain citrus components may affect gastric motility or microbial balance, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to lime or to gas and bloating as isolated conditions.
In summary, the use of lime for gas and bloating is primarily justified by tradition, with minimal scientific evidence to support its efficacy. The evidence rating is low due to the lack of targeted research and reliance on historical or anecdotal use.
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Activated charcoalAllspice
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
apple
artichoke
bacillus coagulans
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black pepper
bасора
chamomile
chen pi
cinnamon
coating
coconut milk
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
gentian root
ginger
Greek mountain tea
green banana
cellulase
horseradish
isomalto-oligosaccharide
quassia
Lactobacillus gasseri
lemon
licorice root
lipase
lovage
Mastic gum
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Mint
okra
oregano
pancreatin
parsley
pear
Peppermint
pineapple
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
raspberry
rhubarb root
sage
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
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Xylanase
bentonite
cascara sagrada
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
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capsicum
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alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
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inula racemosa
anise
commiphora
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Fumaria parviflora
goldenrod
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bile salt
prickly ash
elecampane
flowering quince
dogwood
fern
sweet flag
Morinda
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zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
caraway
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Menthol oil
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Wood betony
paw paw
horehound
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Alginic acid
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cayenne pepper
geranium
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buttermilk
blue flag
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bicarbonate
bayleaf
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bael
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borassus palm
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bacteria
banana
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borneol
cumin
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carqueja
chervil
coconut oil
coriander
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cajuput
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capers
chanca piedra
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Chenopodium
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Centipeda
cubeb
carob
chirata
cha de bugre
Carlina
calamus
cosmos
costus
castor oil
colocynth
cola nut
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Dianthus
dimethylpolysiloxane
dragonhead
dill
Dolichos
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
English horsemint
enzyme blend
Eupatorium
Embelia
fiber
Fomes fomentarius
Frangula
fernbush
fleabane
false calumba
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genipap
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Hemicellulase
Horsemint
Jicama
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Kefir
lemon balm
Lactobacillus plantarum
lime
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Lilium polyphyllum
Litsea
Laggera pterodonta
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
lodhtree
Lycopodium
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Phragmites
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Psacalium peltatum
prepared aconite tuber
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probiotics
Peucedanum
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Pimpinella
potash
Palo Azul
quince
rue
rockweed
rose
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rhubarb
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Snakeroot
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Sagebrush
Semiaquilegia
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Sida cordifolia
Scirpus
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
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Other health conditions supported by lime
BelchingBites and Stings
Body Odor
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Cough (general)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Hangover
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Nausea and Vomiting
Poison Ivy or Oak
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores