Evidence supporting the use of: Citrus (unspecified)
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, have a long history of traditional use in the management of coughs, including spastic (irritative or dry) cough. Traditional medicine systems across various cultures have recommended citrus juices or infusions as remedies for coughs, often due to their vitamin C content, soothing effects when mixed with honey, and perceived ability to thin mucus. However, scientific validation for the specific use of generic "citrus" for spastic cough is limited. While vitamin C has some support for immune support and may marginally reduce the duration or severity of respiratory infections, direct clinical evidence for citrus fruits alleviating spastic cough is lacking.
Some laboratory studies suggest that certain flavonoids and essential oils found in citrus peels may have anti-inflammatory or antitussive (cough-suppressant) effects, but these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical practice or validated by large-scale human trials. Most of the therapeutic benefit attributed to citrus for cough is likely due to the soothing effect of warm fluids, hydration, and possibly the placebo effect. In summary, the use of citrus for spastic cough is primarily rooted in traditional practices, with limited scientific evidence to definitively support its efficacy for this specific condition.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Citrus (unspecified)
AnemiaAppetite (deficient)
Asthma
Belching
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema