Honey : An Effective Sore Throat Remedies

Updated on December 3rd, 2019
Honey for Sore Throat

With honey as a potential remedy to a sore throat,  soreness of the throat almost feels like fun because it is an excellent excuse for indulgence in raw and golden honey. On an important note, sore throat triggers discomfort and annoyance but is easily curable with honey.

It is a common health issue, and almost 70% of children between the ages of 5-15 years in the US suffer from a sore throat, of whom 70% take antibiotics. However, you can resort to honey for sore throat.

Read on to find out more about how does honey help a sore throat, common cold, and other respiratory issues.

Methods of Using Honey for Sore Throat

1. Honey and Water

Honey and Water
Image:ShutterStock

Honey helps to heal the soreness of the throat by curing the inflammation. The warmth of honey and water solution soothes the throat and destroys the germs that cause the infection.

  • Add two tablespoons of raw honey to a glass of lukewarm water and stir to prepare a solution.

Drink the warm solution in every couple of hours throughout the day to cure the soreness of the throat.

2. Honey, Lemon, and Ginger Gargle

Honey, Lemon, and Ginger
Image:ShutterStock

Gargling is an excellent way to use honey for a sore throat(1) to get rid of the harmful bacteria and germs in the throat. Honey helps to coat the throat with a protective layer to soothe the pain and inflammation. The warmth of the solution provides relief from the soreness while the lemon inhibits microbial action.

  1. Add one teaspoon each of honey and crushed ginger to half a cup of hot water.
  2. Stir in the freshly extracted juice of a lemon.

Gargle with the solution for about 5 minutes in every 2-3 hours to cure the symptoms of sore throat in no time.

[Also Read: Herbal Remedies for Sore Throat]

3. Honey and Lemon

Honey and Lemon
Image:ShutterStock

The astringent nature of lemon helps in reducing throat pain and swelling. It soothes the throat and aids with the cure of inflammation as well. The mixture of lemon and honey for a sore throat acts by the inhibition of microbial action and helps to heal the inflammation and infection as well. Here’s a recipe of lemon tea with honey for sore throat.

  1. Add freshly extracted lemon juice to a mug of herbal tea.
  2. Add a few tablespoons of honey to the tea and stir well.

Drink the honey and lemon tea twice or thrice a day to soothe the pain and heal the throat irritation.

4. Garlic and Honey

Garlic and Honey
Image:ShutterStock

The combination of garlic(2) and honey is one of the most effective ways of using honey for a sore throat. Honey contains anti-inflammatory compounds which cure inflammation and inhibit bacterial action. The properties of garlic and honey combine to fight against throat irritation, swelling, and soreness. Honey contains glucose-oxidase compounds, which is also suitable for the natural treatment of strep infection.

  • Crush 2-4 raw garlic cloves to make a smooth and thick paste.
  • Add a tablespoon of raw honey to the paste and mix.

Take the syrup thrice a day before every meal to soothe the pain and irritation. This syrup also acts as an expectorant and aids in the expulsion of excessive mucus.

[Also Read: Benefits Garlic for Sore Throat]

Why Use Honey for Sore Throat?

The Centers for Disease Control And Prevention recommends honey for treating sore throat. Honey has the following properties which make it an incredible cure for sore throat and other respiratory issues.

  • Antioxidant properties
  • Antimicrobial properties
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Antifungal properties
  • Antiviral properties
  • Anti-cancer properties
  • Anti-diabetic properties

Which Honey to Use: Raw or Pasteurized?

There are two types of honey: Raw and Pasteurized. The type of honey that is readily available in the supermarket is pasteurized honey. The process of pasteurization involves a high amount of heat that improves the texture and color, destroys the unhealthy yeast, eliminates crystallization, and extends the shelf life.

However, the process of pasteurization tends to destroy the healthy nutrients of honey, which makes it less beneficial for the body than raw honey. Therefore, owing to its composition of nutrients, raw honey is more useful for the body.

A sore throat usually occurs with a runny nose, nasal congestion, and headache, make you raise a ruckus. But now, you can drive out the pain and cure the different symptoms of the common cold with the administration of raw honey. You can lay off harsh chemicals for easing the soreness as these pills and tablets only cause potential threats. Stick to natural substances like honey to cure a cold and make the pain go away.


FAQs

1. How to Use Honey Gargle for a Sore Throat?

You can blend raw honey with lemon juice and ginger and add the mixture to a cup of hot water to prepare the solution for gargle. Gargle with the solution twice or thrice a day to clear the throat of congestion and heal the pain.

2. What Other Home Remedies Should You Use for Treating a Sore Throat?

A handful of other remedies for a sore throat include salt water gargle, lemon water, taking cayenne pepper, and more.

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