Is honey and lemon for cough really useful? Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a traditional remedy to soothe a sore throat in the Sub Continent. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too.
In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 millilitres) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep.
However, due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning, it is recommended to never give honey to a child younger than age of 1 years.
Is honey and lemon for cough really better treatment than over-the-counter medications and antibiotics? A new review of research says yes — though with the caveat that over-the-counter medications don’t actually offer much relief for sore throats, hacking coughs and sniffling noses.
Researchers aren’t sure why honey and lemon for sough might help treat cold symptoms, but it could have to do with its antioxidants or the fact that it’s viscous and thus coats an irritated throat. Nevertheless, treating respiratory symptoms with honey is low-risk.
