Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lemon has traditionally been used as a home remedy for constipation in adults. The primary rationale is that the citric acid found in lemon juice acts as a natural stimulant for the digestive system, and the increased water content from consuming lemon water may help soften stools and promote regular bowel movements. In various cultures, starting the day with warm lemon water is a common recommendation for digestive health, including relief from constipation. However, the scientific evidence underlying this practice is limited.
Most of the support for lemon in treating constipation is anecdotal or based on traditional medicine rather than robust clinical studies. The fiber content in whole lemons (particularly the pulp and peel) can contribute to digestive health, but typical lemon water preparations do not contain significant fiber. Some small studies on citrus fruits suggest potential benefits for gut motility, but none specifically isolate lemon or lemon juice as an effective remedy for constipation. The main scientifically plausible mechanism is the increased hydration from drinking more fluids, which is known to help with constipation, rather than any specific property of lemon itself.
In summary, the use of lemon for constipation is primarily based on tradition and anecdotal experience. While drinking lemon water may indirectly support bowel regularity through improved hydration, there is limited direct scientific evidence to validate lemon as an effective treatment for constipation.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)
aloe veraapple
apricot
asparagus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
blackberry
broccoli
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
carrot
cauliflower
celery
chamomile
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
cinnamon
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
dandelion
dog rose
melon
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
green banana
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
cellulose
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
kale
kudzu
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mango
mannitol
moringa
nettle
oat
ophiopogon root
orange
parsley
pear
pectin
perilla
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
redcurrant
rhizome
rhubarb root
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watercress
watermelon
xylooligosaccharides
cascara sagrada
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
swertia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
root tuber
flowering quince
dioscorea
ganoderma
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
polyphenols
caraway
purslane
senna
aster root
peach
noni
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
millet seed
algae
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
sea salt
Agar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Auricularia
Amomum
Avocado
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baliospermum
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Bitter Grass
Bael
Bean
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
banana
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
California chia
Cinnamomum
Cascaroside
Cucurbita
coconut oil
Coriander
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cape Aloe
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cereal grass
Chinese Raisintree
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Curcumen
Chard
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dextrin
Dragonhead
Dianthrone
Dwarf Morning Glory
Date
Dulse
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Emodin
Fig
Fiber
Flavonoids
Galangal
Lotus
Molasses
Phosphate Salt
Prickly Pear Cactus
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Sumac
Vinegar
Wheat
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by lemon
Acid IndigestionAnemia
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Body Odor
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cholesterol (high)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Dehydration
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Edema
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Hangover
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
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PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
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Ultra Preventive
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