Coughing is one of the most common symptoms when someone has a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection. It’s an annoying symptom that can disrupt sleep and daily activities. With coughs being so prevalent, especially during cold and flu season, many people look for home remedies to help soothe an irritating cough. One popular remedy is warm lemonade.
What causes coughs?
Coughs are caused by irritation in the throat or airways. Colds and flus are among the most common causes of coughs. When you get a viral infection like a cold, your respiratory tract becomes irritated and inflamed. Your body reacts by trying to expel viruses and mucus through coughing. Other causes of coughs include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Environmental irritants like smoke or dust
- Side effect of medications
- Acid reflux
Postnasal drip from allergies or a cold can cause mucus to drip down the throat and trigger coughing as well. Bacteria and viruses aren’t the only potential causes either. Coughs can also be caused by conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or laryngitis.
Why do coughs happen more often at night?
Have you ever noticed coughs tend to worsen at night? There are a few reasons why nighttime coughs are common:
- Irritants build up during the day – Irritants you’re exposed to during the day can accumulate and trigger coughing at night.
- Your position – Lying down can cause mucus from your nasal passages to drip down your throat and trigger coughs.
- Your blood pressure – Your blood pressure naturally dips at night, which can make some people more prone to coughing.
- Less environmental distraction – There’s less noise, talking, music, etc at night so coughs become more noticeable.
Does warm lemonade actually help coughs?
With nighttime coughs being so disruptive for sleep, you might be tempted to reach for anything to help suppress them. This leads many people to try home remedies like warm lemonade. But does warm lemonade actually help relieve coughing?
There are a few proposed ways that warm lemonade could potentially help coughs:
- Soothes irritation – The lemon juice contains vitamin C and antioxidants which could help soothe inflammation and irritation in your throat that triggers coughing.
- Loosens mucus – The warm liquid and lemon juice may help thin out and loosen up thick mucus that can clog airways and stimulate coughs.
- Coats the throat – Warm liquids can provide a coating over inflamed tissues in your throat, which may suppress urge to cough.
There is no definitive scientific research yet on how effective warm lemonade is for coughs. But there are some studies on individual ingredients that provide insight.
Studies on lemon and honey
One study had participants drink warm water with honey and citrus juice three times a day when they had cold symptoms. The citrus juice was a mixture of lemon, lime and orange juice. The researchers found this resulted in significantly improved cough symptoms compared to just routine care.
Another study found that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C (amount found in about 2 lemons) three times a day shortened how long participants had cold symptoms but didn’t affect symptom severity. The high dose of vitamin C may have helped protect cells against damage and reduce inflammation.
The evidence is stronger when it comes to honey for coughs. Multiple studies have found honey, especially buckwheat honey, is effective at relieving nighttime coughs and improving sleep quality compared to no treatment or dextromethorphan, a common cough suppressant.
Potential benefits of ingredients in warm lemonade
Based on its ingredients, warm lemonade contains compounds that could help explain why it may be beneficial for coughs:
| Ingredient | Potential benefits |
|---|---|
| Warm liquid | Soothes irritated throat; loosens mucus |
| Lemon juice | Vitamin C reduces inflammation; Antioxidants protect cells |
| Honey | Coats and soothes sore throat; Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects |
Other evidence-based remedies for coughs
While the evidence for warm lemonade’s effectiveness is lacking, there are some natural remedies that have been better researched for coughs:
Honey
As mentioned earlier, studies have found honey, especially buckwheat honey, to be a safe and effective remedy for relieving cough symptoms. The honey coats and soothes the throat, while also having antioxidant and antimicrobial effects that may promote healing.
Probiotics
Taking probiotic supplements may help reduce how long you have cold symptoms, including coughs. In one study, probiotic users had coughs that lasted 2 days less than those who didn’t take probiotics. Probiotics support immune function and restore balance to your microbiome.
Salt water gargle
Gargling with warm salt water can help ease coughs caused by irritated throat tissue. The salt water reduces swelling in your throat while the warmth temporarily soothes cough receptors in your throat.
Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root contains mucilage, which is a gelatinous substance that coats and soothes sore throats and coughs. The mucilage forms a protective layer over your throat. Sipping marshmallow root tea may help suppress coughs.
Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help soothe sore, irritated throats. Sipping on ginger tea or taking ginger supplements may reduce coughing caused by inflammation.
Licorice root
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which is thought to help reduce irritation in the throat. Licorice root supplements may reduce sore throat pain and coughing. But ask your doctor before trying it, as it can interact with medications.
Tips to help manage coughs
In addition to remedies, there are some other tips that can help manage your coughing:
- Use a humidifier – Keeping air moist with a humidifier can loosen congestion and reduce coughing.
- Avoid irritants – Stay away from irritants like smoke and strong scents that can trigger coughing.
- Gargle salt water – Gargling 1-2 times per day can ease a sore throat and suppress the urge to cough.
- Suck on lozenges – Cough drops and throat lozenges with anesthetic ingredients can temporarily stop cough reflex.
- Use cough suppressants cautiously – Talk to your doctor first before using OTC cough medicine, especially if you have high blood pressure.
- Stay hydrated – Getting enough fluids keeps mucus thin so it’s easier to expel.
Is warm lemonade safe?
For most people, drinking warm lemonade is likely safe and may help suppress coughing. However, there are some potential downsides to consider:
- The acidity could worsen symptoms for some – For those prone to acid reflux, the acidic lemon juice may irritate the throat and worsen coughs.
- May interact with medications – The vitamin C could potentially interact with some medicines like chemotherapy drugs.
- Not recommended for infants – Lemon should be avoided for babies under 1 year due to risk of an allergic reaction.
- High sugar intake if added – Adding a lot of sugar to sweeten the lemonade boosts calorie and carbohydrate intake.
So be cautious about regularly drinking large amounts of lemonade, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. Moderation and proper preparation is key.
How to make warm lemonade
Here is a simple recipe to make warm lemonade at home:
Ingredients
- 2 lemons
- 1 cup warm water
- 1-2 tbsp honey or sweetener of choice
- Optional: cinnamon, grated ginger, tea bag
Instructions
- Juice the lemons into a mug or heatproof cup.
- Add 1 cup warm water, about 120°F, not boiling.
- Stir in 1-2 tbsp honey or sweetener until dissolved.
- Add any other flavorings like grated ginger, cinnamon or chamomile tea bag.
- Slowly sip the lemonade while it’s still warm. Can reheat if needed.
For extra soothing benefits, use manuka honey in the recipe. Also consider adding spices like ginger or turmeric which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Conclusion
Coughs caused by colds, allergies and respiratory infections can disrupt sleep and daily life. While the evidence is limited, warm lemonade is a popular home remedy thought to help soothe coughs.
The vitamin C, antioxidants, and warmth may help reduce throat inflammation and loosen mucus. Honey is also soothing and antimicrobial. However, more research is still needed on lemonade’s effectiveness.
Other proven natural cough remedies include honey, probiotics, salt water gargles, marshmallow root, ginger, and licorice root. But be cautious about regularly consuming large amounts of lemonade and talk to your doctor first before trying new remedies, especially if you have any medical conditions.