If winter brings you a sore throat and coughing, a spoonful of honey can be quite soothing. And it might even reduce symptoms from an upper respiratory tract infection, suggests a review of studies published online Aug.
Take a glass of warm water, add one teaspoonful of honey. Consume this mixture of honey for cold and flu every morning it will help soothe your throat irritation.
Honey has many natural properties that can help treat colds and coughs. Honey contains antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that fight against the virus and treats the cold and its underlying symptoms.
It can be given by the teaspoon or swirled into a cup of tea or warm lemon water. This article explains if honey for coughs is the right choice for your child, what the research says, and why it must be avoided in children under 1 year of age.
Because honey has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties, it may help reduce pain and itchiness in your throat and also help you get over the virus sooner than you would without taking honey.
Honey appeared to improve symptoms (especially cough frequency and severity), and in some cases shorten the duration of symptoms by a day or two.
Most sore throats tend to get better within a week, but during that time, adults can take a spoonful (about 1 teaspoon) of honey for a cough and sore throat. You can also dilute half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of honey in warm water or tea. This method is also recommended for children older than 1.
There are many health benefits of honey and it works miraculously in treating cold and cough. It has anti-bacterial and soothing properties which help in providing relief during severe cough. It reduces the inflammation and also loses the mucus.
The bottom line. A tsp of honey is an inexpensive home remedy to treat a nagging cough for most people except children under 1. Its thick texture helps coat the throat and limit irritation, which can help lower your urge to cough. Try it by the spoonful or in a cup of tea.
As far as what to avoid when you're sick, steer clear of foods that may fuel inflammation or stress your immune system. Those foods include refined sugar, processed foods (especially those with artificial ingredients), conventional dairy and meat, caffeine, and alcohol.
Honey can calm the nasal passage, irritated throat and clear the excess accumulation of mucus. Two tablespoons of honey with a cup of lukewarm water can clear your clogged nasal passage. You can also add honey in milk or tea to relieve your symptom.
Even better, it's not just youngsters who can get relief from honey, but grownups as well. Many doctors say to start with a half a teaspoon, working your way up to a swallow of two teaspoons for quieting the cough. (A teaspoon of honey, btw, has about 21 calories).
Most colds go away on their own within seven to 10 days and don't turn into anything more serious. Common cold treatment includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help reduce your symptoms and keep you comfortable until you recover.
Benefits of Honey
While it isn't going to cure or prevent the flu, honey does have some useful benefits when you are sick. Drinking hot tea with honey has been shown to help soothe a sore throat and can even reduce irritating coughs.
However, excess intake of honey may cause some unexpected side effects. Overconsumption of honey may lead to weight gain, allergies, infant botulism (a serious gastrointestinal condition that occurs in infants up to age 12 months), high blood sugar levels, diarrhea, food poisoning, bleeding, and tooth decay.
“Raw honey is the least processed and probably has the most antioxidants,” Ilic says. Despite its raw status, it's considered safe to eat except for children younger than 1, who should avoid all honey. Pasteurized: Pasteurized honey has been processed to remove imperfections and improve its shelf life.
So when it's hard to breathe because of mucus in your lungs, you have three things you can do to help move the mucus out: postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing. Use these techniques to help clear your lungs and make breathing easier.
Many strategies may help stop a nighttime cough. They include hydrating the room, removing dust, keeping windows closed to keep out pollution and allergens, salt water nasal irrigation, herbal remedies, and prescription and OTC cough suppressants.
Make a Lemon, Ginger, and Manuka Honey drink.
Mix them in warm water and leave them aside for 20 minutes. It is a great, refreshing drink that is good for the immune system and a great tool against colds and flu during the winter.