Honey has emerged as a highly effective natural remedy for coughs and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), often outperforming over-the-counter (OTC)
Effectiveness Against Cough Symptoms
Research indicates that honey is superior to usual care and some OTC medications in relieving cough symptoms:
- Honey significantly reduced cough frequency in eight studies.
- Five studies showed honey decreased cough severity.
- Three studies found honey improved overall symptom scores.
Compared to dextromethorphan, a common OTC cough suppressant, honey was found to be equally effective or superior in multiple studies
Superiority to Other Treatments
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies revealed that honey was more effective than usual care for improving URTI symptoms, particularly cough Specifically:
- Honey reduced combined symptom scores more than usual care.
- It was superior in decreasing cough frequency and severity.
In a study involving 300 children, honey outperformed a placebo in relieving nighttime coughs and improving sleep quality
Mechanism and Additional Benefits
Honey's effectiveness is attributed to its:
- Antimicrobial properties
- Antioxidant effects
- Ability to increase cytokine release, potentially enhancing immune response
Furthermore, honey is widely available, cost-effective, and carries a lower risk of side effects compared to many OTC medications.
Considerations
While honey shows promising results, it's important to note that:
- The quality of evidence varies across studies.
- Different types of honey may have varying levels of effectiveness.
- Honey should not be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism
Given its effectiveness and safety profile, honey is increasingly recommended as a first-line treatment for coughs and URTIs, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and combating antimicrobial resistance.
Citations:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/
https://patient.info/news-and-features/coughs-colds-and-sore-throats-is-honey-better-than-over-the-counter-treatments
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200820/Honey-a-better-cough-remedy-than-over-the-counter-medicines.aspx