Lemons Could Give Relief For Patients Suffering From Asthma

A recent study has shown that for those suffering form asthma, the key to their relief could be found in a lemon. Researchers conducted a study to look at the connection between ozone and asthma and other lung disorders. It was found that the higher incidence of asthma in urban areas is due in large part to the absence of natural “ozone scavengers” produced by plants.

“Ozone in the outer atmosphere is essential for life on earth because it absorbs the destructive ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. But on earth, it is a dangerous component of air pollution. Numerous studies have shown exposure to ozone, even at low levels, induces airway inflammation and lung injury in humans and animals .

Ozone scavengers are substances that devour ozone. Researchers believed these substances could be the key to preventing asthma. They conducted experiments exposing rats with induced asthma-like symptoms to limonene. Limonene is the main component in citrus oil. The lung function of the rats showed that limonene inhalation prevented asthmatic symptoms. However more research in both animals and humans is currently underway to look at citrus oils and their use in treating asthma.