Source: Healthline
Monday 13 November 2023 13:44:19
Honey may help relieve symptoms of a sore throat. It has multiple therapeutic properties, including as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory.
The short answer is yes, honey can bring relief for your sore throat. Simply mix two tablespoons of honey with a warm glass of water or tea, and drink as needed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source also recommends using honey if your sore throat is accompanied by a cough.
However, honey should not be given to infants under 1 year old. Honey can carry bacteria, such as Clostridium botulinum, which can be especially dangerous for babies.
Honey has been celebrated since ancient times for its health and therapeutic abilities. It has been the focus of much medical research, including a 2018 reviewTrusted Source in the scientific journal Molecules recognizing honey’s:
Honey is also used to dress wounds. According to a 2013 journal articleTrusted Source, when compared with conventional treatments, it has almost equal or slightly superior effects for superficial partial thickness burns and acute wounds.
Be aware that honey can cause an allergic reaction, according to a 2017 case reportTrusted Source. But an allergic reaction to honey is very rare.
When reading labels, you will find that most of the honey available in the supermarket has been pasteurized. The high heat of pasteurization can:
The pasteurization process can also destroy many of the beneficial nutrients. Raw honey is typically only strained prior to packaging, retaining most of the beneficial nutrients.
A variety of other home remedies can help relieve your sore throat, including:
A variety of teas can also ease your sore throat by relieving pain, reducing inflammation, or fighting bacteria. This includes:
Honey can also be mixed in the warm tea to add additional soothing effect.
If home remedies like honey do not seem to be helping, see your doctor for a diagnosis.
You could be experiencing a serious illness if your sore throat is accompanied by:
With its long history as a multi-use medication proved in clinical trials, it stands to reason that honey can also be effectively used as a remedy for sore throat.
Although a honey allergy is quite rare, check with your doctor before treating your sore throat with honey.
If honey or other home remedies aren’t offering the relief you need or if you’re experiencing other symptoms like fever along with your sore throat, make an appointment with your doctor.