Honey for Cough

There are many benefits of honey for cough. Honey is a natural home remedy that has been used for centuries to help soothe a sore throat and calm a cough. It’s also safe for kids and adults. Learn more about the benefits of honey for cough and how you can use it to get relief from your symptoms.

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Honey for Coughs – More Effective than Over-the-Counter Medications?

A cough is a common symptom of many different illnesses, from the common cold to bronchitis. While most people reach for over-the-counter medications like cough syrup to soothe their cough, there may be a more natural option – honey! Let’s take a look at the benefits of honey for coughs and see if it’s more effective than medication.

Honey is Antimocrobial

The benefits of honey have been known for centuries. It’s been used as both a food and a medicine, and it’s no surprise that it can also be effective in treating coughs. Honey has antimicrobial properties, which means it can help to kill the bacteria that are causing your cough.

Honey is a Natural Expectorant

Honey is also a natural expectorant, which helps to loosen mucus and make coughing up phlegm easier. Expectorants lubricate your airway. This helps loosen up the mucus and make the secretions in your airway thinner. By loosening up the mucus, expectorants make your cough more productive. Coughing up phlegm reduces coughing.

Honey has Ant Inflammatory Properties

Honey is a natural ready-to-eat product rich in flavonoids, which is known for the wound healing properties due to both antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Flavonoids reduce inflammatory processes in the body.

Honey is a Natural Soothing Agent

Finally, honey is a natural soothing agent, which can help to calm irritated throats. When swallowed, especially with a warm liquid such as herbal tea, the honey will coat a sore throat and and prevent that tickling sensation that often leads to coughing and thus, provide some additional relief from cough associated with an irritated throat.

How does honey compare to over-the-counter medications?

Cough syrup typically contains dextromethorphan, an expectorant that works by increasing the amount of water in your lungs and thinning out mucus. However, dextromethorphan can cause side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. In contrast, honey is a natural expectorant with few side effects. Additionally, honey has been shown to be more effective than dextromethorphan in treating children’s coughs.

How long has honey been used as a cough remedy?

Honey has been used as a medicinal remedy for centuries. Modern science is just now beginning to catch up and validate what many cultures have known all along – honey can be a powerful tool in the fight against illness. One area where honey may be particularly effective is in the treatment of coughs. You will notice there are many cough and cold products in drug stores now with honey.

How to Use Honey for Cough Relief

There are several ways you can use honey to help relieve your cough.

add a spoonful of honey to a cup of herbal tea for cough or warm water with lemon
drizzle honey on top of toast or oatmeal
add honey to yogurt or peanut butter
taking one tablespoon of honey directly every few hours

Note: It is not recommended to give honey to children under one year old because their immune systems are not yet developed enough to fight off a bacteria known as botulism sometimes found in honey.

How much honey do I take for a cough?

There is no exact amount of honey to take for a cough. You can use as much or as little as you like. Since honey is not a drug, you cannot take too much and there are no side effects. Do remember that honey is no recommended for children under the age of 1 year.

How Effective is Honey for Cough

In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep, which significantly expedited the healing process.

In fact, according to the mayo clinic in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as a common cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, in typical over-the-counter doses. Since honey is low-cost and widely available, it might be worth a try.

If you’re looking for a natural way to relieve your cough, look no further than the humble bottle of honey in your pantry. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as its ability to coat and soothe the throat, honey can be an effective cough suppressant for both adults and children over one year old. So next time you’re feeling under the weather, reach for the honey!