Evidence supporting the use of: Lime
For the body system: Gums
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) has a long history of traditional use in supporting oral health, including gum health. In various cultures, lime juice and peels have been used as a home remedy for maintaining oral hygiene, freshening breath, and treating gum problems like gingivitis and bleeding gums. The rationale behind this traditional use likely lies in the fruit’s high vitamin C content, as vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) manifestly causes gum disease and bleeding gums. Historical accounts, especially from the 18th and 19th centuries, document the use of citrus fruits to prevent and treat scurvy among sailors, with notable improvements in gum health.
Scientifically, while vitamin C is indeed essential for collagen synthesis and maintaining gum integrity, there is a lack of direct clinical evidence showing that consuming lime specifically (as opposed to vitamin C from any source) supports gum health in people without deficiency. Most modern studies focus on vitamin C supplementation in general rather than lime as an intervention. Therefore, the use of lime for gum support is best justified by tradition and historical precedent rather than robust contemporary scientific evidence. The traditional rating is scored as 2, reflecting modest support in folk medicine and historical practice, but limited direct scientific validation for the specific use of lime in supporting the gums.
Other ingredients that support Gums
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Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Alchemilla
Alkanna
Allicin
Allspice
Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
Areca
Ascophyllum nodosum
asiaticoside
aucubin
avens
Baccharis dracunculifolia
bai ji
balsam
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
benzoin
berry
betel
betony
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bistort
blackberry
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boswellia
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
Calendula
Calycophyllum
canaigre
capsicum
cardamom
carvacrol
Casearia sylvestris
catechins
catechu
cayenne pepper
cinquefoil
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coca
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
Collinsonia
comfrey
commiphora
cranesbill
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cutch
Cyanthillium cinereum
dragon\'s blood
Drynaria
Echinacea
emblicanin
eugenol
European five-finger grass
fiber
flavanones
flavans
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fleabane
fluoride
fluorine
frankincense
fructoborate
Gambir
garlic
Glechoma hederacea
goldenseal
goldenseal
goldthread
gooseberry
Guava
heal-all
Heliopsis
henna
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperidin
honey
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
Jaboticaba
Kigelia africana
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lady's Mantle
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
leucoanthocyanidins
licorice root
lime
lingonberry
lodhtree
lysozyme
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
mango
manzanita
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Massularia acuminata
Mastic gum
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Menthol oil
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Mucilage
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Nasturtium
Neem tree
New Jersey Tea
Nimbidin
Oak
Oleuropein
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
Orris
Pacific madrone
pagoda tree
Pedra hume
Pellitory
Persimmon
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
pine bark
Plantago
plantain
polyphenols
Potentilla
prickly ash
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
Propolis
Pterocarpus marsupium
Pterospermum
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
raspberry
Rhus coraria
Rhus coriaria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rose hips
Rubus
sage
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Self-Heal
shepherd's purse
Silverweed
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smoketree
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptococcus oralis
Streptococcus salivarius
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terminalia
Thymol
Toothache Plant
Tridax
Triphala
turmeric
Ulmus
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin K
Water Pepper
White oak
White Tea
white willow
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zinc