Does honey help sore throat

Matti Daniels
Family and Consumer Sciences

There are many over-the-counter products that help with coughs that typically occur during this time of year.  It is not uncommon to hear the suggestion of drinking warm tea or warm water with lemon and honey when a person has a sore throat.  A study has found that the honey may act as cough relief as well.  For children in the study, 2 teaspoons of honey seemed to help reduce night coughing. The use of honey was compared to a common cough medicine ingredient.  Because honey is so easily available it may be a good alternative for some people.

Pleased remember however, that honey should never be given to a child under the age of one.  Children at this age risk very serious food poisoning from honey.

Remember that coughing is sometimes good for you.  Your body needs to cough sometime to move any mucus that may be in the airway.  For most people, there is usually no need to be concerned with coughing.  The next time you have a cough and are considering what type of cough medicine to buy, perhaps you will consider trying a spoonful of honey.

For additional information, contact the Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service at 549-1430; visit the office located at 4275 N. Highway 25W in Goldbug; or email DL_CES_WHITLEY@EMAIL.UKY.EDU.