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Cough treatment with lemon
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
As a home remedy for coughs, lemon is used mainly due to its high content of ascorbic acid (Acidum ascorbinicum), that is, the antioxidant vitamin C (of which 100 g of this citrus fruit contains about 50 mg) and other vitamins A, B1, B2, B3. [ 1 ]
Analysis of macronutrients in C. limon fruits showed the presence of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) in the pulp and peel. [ 2 ]
Indications
Lemon can be used to relieve cough and reduce sore throat caused by flu and acute respiratory viral infections, laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis (angina). It is also used in the complex treatment of cough caused by bronchitis of bacterial or viral etiology.
By reducing oxidative stress of respiratory epithelial cells during their inflammation, lemon vitamin C can act more powerfully, since this citrus fruit also contains vitamin P, a flavonoid compound that increases the absorption of ascorbic acid and, at the same time, supports the immune system in the fight against upper respiratory tract infections.
The biological activity of lemon tree fruits (Citrus limon) is also determined by other flavonoids: eriodictyol, hesperidin, naringin, apigenin, diosmin, quercetin, limocitrin.
However, no less beneficial can be the polyphenolic cyclic terpenes of lemon peel essential oil – citrals (geranial and neral) and d-limonene, which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties; carven, γ-terpinene, sabinene and myrcene. In addition, another terpene compound – α-pinene – helps to expand the airways, acting as a bronchodilator.
So, an essential oil can be considered a cough remedy, which contains not only the above-mentioned terpene compounds, but also acids: phenolic (dihydroferulic, propanoic, sinapic acid) and carboxylic (citric, malic, quinic, galacturonic, glutaric, homocitric). [ 3 ]
In patients with acute respiratory infections such as pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia, plasma vitamin C concentrations are reduced.
Vitamin C supplementation in acute respiratory infections returns plasma vitamin C levels to normal and reduces the severity of respiratory symptoms. [ 4 ]
A meta-analysis found that vitamin C supplementation at doses of 200 mg or more per day was effective in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold, as well as reducing the frequency of colds.[ 5 ]
In laboratory studies, vitamin C has been shown to have an immunomodulatory effect, influencing phagocytes, interferon production, viral replication, T-lymphocyte maturation, etc. [ 6 ], [ 7 ]
Contraindications
Lemon is contraindicated in case of 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 during 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 ]