Honey for Cough: Is Honey a Good Home Remedy for Coughs?

If you’re looking for a home remedy for coughs and colds, which doesn’t break the bank, then you should consider raw honey. Over-the-counter medicines are not only expensive, they often come with lots of added sugar or unwanted side effects. And, when it comes to dealing with a cough, many people these days prefer to reach for a natural solution.

Raw honey’s unique properties don’t just make it a great home remedy for coughs, it will give your immune system a much needed boost at the same time. 

What’s more — it tastes delicious! 

The age-old home remedy for cough is now backed up by Science.

Historically, cultures all over the world have used honey for coughs and colds. And now the wisdom of the ages is backed up by Science. 

Research into the effect of raw honey for coughs in children showed that a small dose (2 teaspoons at bedtime) helped reduce a cough’s frequency and severity. Parents and children both reported getting a better night’s sleep when compared to those who did not use honey. 

It is important to note that raw honey should never be given to children under 1 year of age. This is because a baby’s immune system is not fully developed, so they don’t have protection against infant botulism.

Honey for cough: What makes it so effective? 

We now know that raw honey is packed full of compounds that are beneficial for human health. Honey is a highly complex substance containing around 200 compounds and is the subject of many exciting research projects. 

But there are a couple of great reasons why honey works well to treat a cough. Thanks to its high levels of hydrogen peroxide, raw honey is antibacterial. That means it is able to kill germs at the source. But the anti-inflammatory effects of honey also play a role in soothing a cough. Honey acts to reduce swelling and relax the throat muscles. It also reduces mucus. Because honey is a naturally viscous liquid, it creates a coating on the throat tissues. 

All of these properties combine to make honey a gentle and natural home remedy for cough. 

Home remedy for cough: The added benefits of choosing honey

Because raw honey contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, it has additional benefits for our health. Research into antioxidants, bee pollen and bee propolis, suggests that these natural substances are able to boost the immune system. All of these are found in raw honey — it never hurts to give your immunity a little help, especially if you’re feeling run down. 

Raw honey vs cough medicine.

Raw honey is a safe and completely natural option. If, like many people, you are concerned about our over-reliance on antibiotics, or wish to avoid medication, you should try some raw honey instead. It’s been used for thousands of years. It’s a much cheaper alternative, and it tastes great.

How to use raw honey for cough relief

Always make sure to buy raw unpasteurized honey from an ethical producer. That way you know that the bees are being cared for and the important nutrients are retained. Raw honey loses its beneficial properties when it is heated, and that includes pasteurization. Look for producers that do as little processing as possible.

If you’re making a soothing honey drink, always let it cool before stirring in the honey. That way the natural ingredients will not be damaged by too much heat.

You can also take honey for a cough straight off the spoon. 

Just remember — honey is a sugar. Although there are good reasons for choosing honey vs sugar, you should never consume too much of either. When it comes to raw honey, a little goes a long way. 

As a home remedy for coughing, you really can’t go past raw honey. It’s a safe, cheap solution that is backed by scientific research.