Itchy Throat and Cough? Heal It with Honey

Is honey good for cough? Honey has many benefits for cough. Manuka honey has antibacterial properties. Using manuka honey for cough can help get rid of the disease that is causing excessive cough.

The antibacterial effects are linked to Methylglyoxal in Manuka honey. Moreover, it also has antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits that help cure cough. Manuka honey can soothe a sore throat, which reduces cough.

Bizarre Facts

Raw honey has anti-microbial properties that reduce cures throat diseases. The viscous nature of honey also coats the inner, outer layer of the throat, lessening the irritation. This irritation can be responsible for coughing.

Mixing honey with lemon juice can relax the throat and clear congestion. Honey is rich in hydrogen peroxide, which is a robust antibacterial compound. It is more effective than placebo and salbutamol in reducing cough symptoms(1).

• • Other Ways to Include Honey
  • Consume Honey to Improve Cough
  • FAQs

Using Honey for Cough Treatment

There are various ways to use honey for cough treatment. You may add some honey to the tea. An effective combination can be ginger and honey for cough treatment.

1. Take two to three tablespoons of fresh ginger slices.
2. Warm water in a pan
3. Once the water reaches the boiling point, add the ginger slices, and cover the pan.
4. Keep it covered for almost 10 minutes.
5. Strain the tea into your cup
6. Add one to 2 teaspoons of honey.
7. You may add lemon juice to enhance the taste and treatment’s effectiveness.
8. You may use another herbal tea if ginger is not available.

Moreover, you may orally intake honey directly for cough treatment. Manuka honey can be consumed usually one to two tablespoons, twice a day. On the other hand, you can also use raw honey for cough treatment in a similar way.

[ Read: How to Get Rid of Cough Using Natural Remedies ]

Other Ways to Include Honey for Cough

1. Honey and Cinnamon for Cough

Another option is using honey and cinnamon for cough treatment. You may use the following recipe.

1. Take one cup and fill it with honey.
2. Add one tablespoon of cinnamon to the cup.
3. Add a little amount of lemon juice to it.
4. Add a quarter cup of lukewarm water.
5. Use this honey water for cough treatment twice a day. Take no more than one to two teaspoons at a time. Prefer taking it before going to sleep to ensure that your throat is coated with the mixture. This coating shall prevent coughing during sleep.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey  For Cough

Some people prefer to mix apple cider vinegar and honey for cough treatment.

A simple recipe that may be followed for this purpose is as follows.

1. Take 200 ml of water and heat it in a pan.
2. Once the water is lukewarm, pour it into a cup.
3. Add one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water. It is preferable to use extra-virgin apple cider vinegar. It has the most amount of naturally beneficial compounds.
4. Add one teaspoon of honey to the mixture and stir it well. Apple cider vinegar has a sour taste. Honey allows the dilution to taste better. At the same time, it also boosts the antibacterial properties of the mixture.
5. You may add lemon juice to the mixture to improve taste and effectiveness.
6. The mixture can be consumed to times per day to improve cough.

[ Read: 11 Best Herbal Remedies for Cough ]

Other Ways You May Consume Honey to Improve Cough May Include

1. Spreading honey on bread for a snack.
2. You may use honey as a seasoning for salad.
3. You may use honey instead of white or brown sugar for sweetness in foods.
4. You may eat a cocktail or fruit salad with honey in it.
5. You may eat dishes like honey flans or honey-roasted carrots. Honey cake is also an option if it does not have cream. The cream is greasy and can aggravate your cough.

[Read: Buckwheat Honey]

Although there are several benefits of using honey for cough treatment, there are potential dangers too. It is strongly suggested not to give honey to infants who are under the age of 1 year. Honey can not help improve their symptoms of cough. Instead, honey can cause a potentially fatal illness called infant botulism(2).

It can also cause food poisoning in infants. Honey can be given to children over a year old for cough relief. Similarly, manuka honey has high sugar content, which can cause complications for diabetic patients. People who are allergic to honey or bees may suffer from an adverse reaction after consuming the honey.

Honey remedies can have adverse effects on you if you are suffering from certain medical conditions. It is recommended to check in with your medical practitioner or physician before starting any routine treatment involving honey.

There are many honey-based, homemade remedies that cough patients can use to manage the condition. Furthermore, honey is readily available and is usually quite affordable.

Added to this is the fact that all the remedies involve natural ingredients. As a result, the adverse effects of artificial compounds can be avoided. Honey consumption can also provide additional health benefits. Thus, honey offers patients with a variety of practical ways to manage their cough.

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FAQs

1. How Much Honey for Cough Treatment Is Ideally Recommended?

You may use one to two teaspoons per intake. This intake can be done twice a day.

2. What Is the Best Honey for Cough Treatment?

Manuka honey is most effective in treating coughs.

3. Children of What Age Can Be Given Honey for Cough Treatment?

Children older than one year of age can be given honey to improve cough.