Honey: An effective cough remedy?

Coughing is your body’s way of responding to the irritants in the throat and the airways. The diaphragm muscles contract and try to expel the irritation. That is why coughing is considered beneficial to the body as it clears off the mucus from within.

However, in case the mucus has accumulated in large quantities, it leads to incessant coughing making it difficult for the person to sleep at night and get through the day.

Is it true that honey calms coughs better than cough medicine does?

Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too.

In one study, children age 2 and older with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep.

In fact, in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as a common cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, in typical over-the-counter doses. Since honey is low-cost and widely available, it might be worth a try.

However, due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning, never give honey to a child younger than age 1.

And remember: Coughing isn’t all bad. It helps clear mucus from your airway. If you or your child is otherwise healthy, there’s usually no reason to suppress a cough.