Is Honey Good for Coughs: Best Honey Mixtures to Treat Coughs

Many studies have revealed that honey is very good for cough caused by different reasons. In addition, honey removes throat infections and reduces the severity of the cough. To combat the cough problem more effectively, you can add a few teaspoons of lemon to honey. The important thing here is to use genuine honey. Fake honey has more harm than good for health. Honey is especially useful for coughs in children.

While honey is not recommended for babies under the age of one year, it has been revealed that a spoonful of honey can be fed before bedtime in babies between the ages of 2 and 5, with a throat infection and cough, which provides significant relief. In the research published in Pediatrics Journal, it was stated that honey, which has a high antioxidant level, might be an alternative for cough syrups. In a study of 300 children with throat infections, two-thirds of the children were fed with a spoonful of eucalyptus honey and several different kinds of honey. In others, only a placebo was used. Families were asked to evaluate their child’s sleep status before and after the honey was compared. Families gave 9-10 points out of ten to their children who fed honey, regardless of type.

Honey Is the Best Solution for Children With Cough

One of the biggest complaints of parents, especially the ones having young children, is an unceasing cough in the winter months! Some children have cough attacks that interrupt the whole family’s sleep at night. I was intrigued by the news published in British newspapers The Telegraph. According to research, honey is more effective than many drugs in cough treatment in children! A small dose of honey has been shown to be much more effective at cutting the severity and frequency of nighttime cough than common cough cutters. Honey also helped not only children but also their parents to improve their sleep quality. However, it has been found that using “Dextromethorphan” (DM) in the structure of many cough syrups is almost equivalent to not taking anything.

Honey is a food that has been used for upper respiratory infections and cough for centuries. It works to fight bacteria and has a softening effect. The researcher from Penn State Medical School, Assoc. Dr. Ian Paul says: ‘Our study adds a new question to how well DM is used in children. But it also creates a safe alternative for doctors and mothers. New research should also be done, but we hope that medical professionals will take into account the positive potential of honey in treatment. 105 children aged 2 to 18 years of age who had a cough in one of the research published in the ‘Child and Adolescent Medicine Archive’ were looked after. The children were not treated on the first night of the study. The parents of these children were asked about the cough of children, the quality of sleep, and how they sleep. Half an hour before entering the bed the next night, the children were given honey and sweetened DM. And nothing was given to the third group. The same question was asked to the parents the next day. Parents of children who consumed honey explained that they had a much better night than those who take DM or not take anything.

Two Honey Recipes for Your Kids

Milk with banana

Materials:

1 banana
1 spoonful of honey
1 glass of milk
Cinnamon

Preparation:

Heat the milk.
Mix the banana, milk, and cinnamon through the blender.
Add 1 spoonful of honey and make your kid drink it before going to bed.
1 banana contains 100 mg of calcium. 1 glass of milk is also about 300 mg. With this glass of drink, your child also receives 1/3 of the daily need for calcium.

Turmeric honey

Materials:

1 tablespoon of honey
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

Preparation:

Mix well.
Turmeric powder was found to be effective in fighting bacteria and viruses. Again, giving with honey, which is effective against bacteria, will increase its power. If you have a cough, take 1 spoon of it before bed.

Effects of Honey on Child Health

In order to talk about the health effects of honey, children over the age of one should consume an average of 1 g of honey per kilo every day. For example; A child who is 20 kg should consume 20 g, i.e. approximately 1.5 tablespoons or 3 teaspoons of honey per day.
Honey generally improves the child’s performance and fitness. It plays an important role in meeting the energy it will spend all day long.
As a natural energy source and food that contains many vital factors, it has a very important place in child nutrition.
It supports the immune system and makes it easier for the body to fight infections like flu.
It helps to eliminate some nutritional deficiencies.
Due to its high mineral content, especially dark honey (such as pine honey) makes an important contribution to iron deficiency in children.

It is indispensable for child nutrition as it facilitates digestion, appetite and helps the body recover in developmental disorders.
Using honey to sweeten milk is beneficial because it facilitates both honey and milk consumption of children. In Switzerland, doctors recommend the consumption of milk, especially honey, for children with problems with dystrophy, nervous system, and lungs.
Helps prevent diarrhea.
It contains many vital factors such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids necessary for child development. It supports the body’s cell and tissue production.
It has been determined in the researches that the children who consume honey have a better growth and development rate. It has also been found that honey increases erythrocyte and gamma globulin levels in children, improves intestinal microflora, and facilitates digestion. Honey stimulates the digestion of proteins and fats, reducing stomach swelling and intestinal colic.

Why Honey Is Best for Coughs: A Scientific Approach

Cough is one of the most common findings in upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) in children. In most upper respiratory tract infections, most findings disappear within a week, while cough may take longer and require medication (Paul et al., 2007). Among the most commonly used antitussive drugs against a cough in children are dextromethorphan, codeine, and diphenhydramine. Although dextromethorphan and codeine are known to be effective in reducing the frequency of cough in children with chronic cough, cough, and cold medicines can cause life-threatening side effects when taken together. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in very young children, and other alternatives are required for the prevention or treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (Shadkam, Mozaffari Khosravi, & Mozayan, 2010).

In many cultures, honey is also among the alternative treatments traditionally used to treat symptoms of upper respiratory infection, including cough. Parents give their children honey directly, with milk, with some herbs, or with lemon. Parents in many countries such as Turkey, the USA, Germany, Norway, Spain, Venezuela, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana give honey to their children to treat upper respiratory tract infections (Ahmed, Sutcliffe, & Tipper, 2013; Moussa et al., 2012). As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization recommends honey in cough and cold because of its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and its local mitigating effect. The World Health Organization recommends that the mixture of honey and lemon can be safely used as an antitussive if the patient and family want it (WHO, 2001).

Honey is seen as a safe treatment tool except for the baby population. In particular, recent studies have shown that honey is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of cough in children. Due to the problems with the safety and efficacy of drugs such as dextromethorphan, codeine, and diphenhydramine currently used, honey has begun to be used for cough treatment in pediatric patients. In the study, in which the effects of honey, dextromethorphan and placebo on nocturnal cough and sleep quality of children/parents were evaluated, 105 children in the 2-18 age group were included in the study. Dextromethorphan was applied to one group, honey to the second group and placebo to the other group 30 minutes before sleep. Compared to those who received Dextromethorfan or received no treatment, a faster decrease in the frequency and severity of cough was observed in the group receiving honey and an improvement in the sleep quality of both children and parents (Paul et al., 2007).

Similarly, another study stated that honey has a higher therapeutic effect on cough frequency, severity, and quality of child and parent sleep than dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine. Therefore, honey can be considered a safe and well-tolerated alternative therapy in coughing children (Shadkam et al., 2010). Although honey appears to be an effective antitussive agent, its mechanism of action is not fully known. Honey is thought to have a positive antitussive effect by stimulating the taste sense. The sweet taste of honey can cause reflex watering and the production of mucus in the respiratory tract. The Cochrane review compiling recent studies reveals that due to these effects, honey can be used as an alternative to pharmacological interventions in acute cough. A small amount of 1-2 tablespoons of honey reduces the severity of cough, improving the sleep quality of both the child and parents (Oduwole, Meremikwu, Oyo-Ita, & Udoh, 2014).

Best Honey Mixtures for Coughs

The Definitive Solution to Cough: A Mixture of Honey and Black Pepper

This rich mineral and vitamin store, which is formed by combining honey and black pepper, provides a natural antibiotic effect. The mixture of honey and pepper, which creates a very effective solution for seasonal ailments, creates an armor effect against respiratory diseases and cough. Honey and pepper, which provide very effective results against many diseases, are natural sources of healing against different drug treatments. Thanks to the ascorbic acid, phenolic substances, tocopherol, and flavonoids it contains in honey, it keeps the immune system in balance while black pepper strengthens the body’s metabolism with vitamins A, E, and C.

The combination of honey and pepper mix prevents many diseases in the body, creating a miraculous cold medicine effect on the body. Ascorbic acid, tocopherol, flavonoids, and phenolic substances found in the structure of honey and anti-microbial bacteria are very beneficial to health. Black pepper spice, on the other hand, increases body resistance with rich vitamins and helps to remove diseases quickly from the body. Thus, a mixture of honey and pepper is natural cold medicine.

The honey and pepper mixture, which has an extravagant effect by preventing sputum and coughs occurring in children and adult individuals, has an antibiotic effect against infectious diseases occurring in the throat. Honey and pepper mixture, which has a suppressive and breaking effect against cancer tumors, which is one of the leading diseases, destroys malignant cells in the body and destroys the formation of cancer tumors.

It balances the digestive system against stomach and intestinal problems, and it combines with honey and prevents the formation of acid and bacteria in the stomach and facilitates digestion. A mixture of honey and black pepper also dries inflammation against stomach infections. With the vitamins that it contains, black pepper, which is good for skin health, provides a restorative and healing effect on the skin against acne, wounds, and stains in its consumption.

How to Prepare the Mixture of Honey and Black Pepper

You can follow 2 different ways to consume honey and pepper mixture. The method suitable for tea consumption is prepared by adding honey and black pepper into boiled water and mixing. The second way to create a weapon effect against cough and sputum will be to consume hot mixture with the addition of black pepper on the honey heated in the pan.

Ingredients for 1st recipe:

2 tablespoons of honey
2 teaspoons of black pepper
Half a liter of boiled water

Preparation of 1st recipe:

The preparation of honey and pepper tea is quite easy and practical. After boiling approximately 0.5 liters of water, you need to mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of black pepper in it. After mixing your tea, it is ready for consumption and you can add lemons or lemon juice to facilitate its drinking and strengthen its effect.

Ingredients for 2nd recipe:

A glass of honey
4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Preparation of 2nd recipe:

In the preparation of the honey and pepper mixture, mix a glass of honey on a pan over low heat for 1 minute. Add 4 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper with the increase in the temperature of your mixture. With the combination of honey and pepper, mix the mixture well. When it reaches the desired temperature, turn off the heat and swallow the teaspoon directly to consume without chewing.

Important Notes

Using black pepper and honey may not be suitable for babies.
If the mixture of honey and pepper is not mixed well, black pepper powders may escape into the lungs and pose a danger.
It is considered appropriate for patients with gastritis and stomach problems to use the dose specified by the doctor.
In the hot summer months, excessive consumption can cause nosebleeds and dizziness.
Physician control is required for the use of mixture by the patients who have undergone gastric surgery due to dumping syndrome.

Research: Honey and Lemon Mixture Is Good for Cough

The research revealed that syrups used to treat cough do not contribute to the healing of the disease. A study conducted by the American Chemical Society (ACS), which published academic studies on science in the USA, revealed that the syrups used in the treatment of cough did not contribute to the healing of the disease. Stating that Americans spend $ 4 billion on cough medicine every year, experts emphasized that it is much more beneficial to drink by boiling honey and lemon instead of cough syrups.

Experts explained that the belief that cough syrups treat the disease is purely psychological. According to clinical studies, it has a placebo effect. However, they help you sleep better than cure the disease. Experts noted that instead of syrup, you should boil honey and lemon and consume it, but not give it to children under 1 year old. In this period, they pointed out that it is necessary to consume plenty of fluids, take a steam shower, or use a moisturizer and use hard candy to prevent throat irritation.

Honey and Lemon Mixture for Cough

The mixture of honey that cleanses bacteria and lemon with a high vitamin C content, which strengthens the immune system, is an effective solution against cough caused by diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract. If you have insomnia due to cough, you can mix and drink 1 cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Honey, a natural antibacterial, accelerates the process of getting rid of bacteria that cause throat irritation. In addition, by taking the throat dryness with its water-holding feature, it softens the throat and cuts dry cough. Since B6 is rich in niacin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, it provides the support needed by the body to fight disease. With its antioxidant effect, it fights against free radicals in the body.

Lemon contains high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C, which is essential for a strong immune system, is also an auxiliary force in the body’s fight against infection. Lemon juice, which is antibacterial like honey, speeds the process of removing the disease from the system with its antioxidant effect like honey.

Best Honey and Lemon Recipes Against Cough

Honey, Lemon, and Garlic:

The mixture prepared with these three may not sound like appetizing, but it is a very effective mixture in the treatment of severe colds. For the mixture, which is one of the most effective methods of relaxing the filled lungs, mix the juice of 1 lemon with 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic and 1 tablespoon of honey. If the mixture is too dense, you can add some more lemon juice. As your cough increases, you can drink 1-2 teaspoons of this mixture like syrup. It keeps its freshness in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Ginger, Honey, and Lemon Juice:

Cut 4-5 thin slices of fresh ginger, throw in 1 cup of boiled water and leave for 10-15 minutes. After the tea is brewed, add 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 lemon juice and mix. This tea cuts the cough in a very short time and relaxes your throat.

Cough Treatment With Onion and Honey

Coughing is a protection mechanism that the body applies to release air from the lungs. The aim is to remove foreign and harmful items from the respiratory tract. Cough syrup or other types of medicines are frequently used to relieve cough. However, excess drug use has several side effects. Therefore, you can try various natural cough treatment methods that you can do at home. Cough can be dry or phlegmatic. A dry cough does not occur by expelling phlegm from the throat, but rather is an indication of irritation and infection. If it is not treated quickly, it can become chronic.

By using natural ingredients for cough treatment, you can reduce cough and remove sputum. It is also good for the irritation sensation in your throat. By using natural substances that act as antibiotics, you can help your body fight microorganisms that attack the respiratory tract. In the following paragraphs, I will present you the natural syrup that you can make from honey and onions.

Honey and Onion Syrup for Cough Treatment

A mixture of honey and onions has been used since ancient times as a natural treatment for cough. Both materials are both antibiotic and expectorant and prevent cough from causing larger problems. Moreover, they strengthen the immune system against viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that are harmful to the respiratory tract.

The benefits of honey: The World Health Organization stated that honey is a suitable treatment method for colds and coughs. Honey reduces cough and relieves irritated areas of the throat. Moreover, it is an antioxidant and increases the production of antimicrobial agents such as cytokines.

Benefits of onion: Onion is known worldwide as an expectorant. It helps to destroy bacteria and clean the respiratory tract. Onions are highly antioxidant, have detox properties, are good for irritation in the throat, and control cough.

This syrup combines the cough-fighting and immune-boosting properties of honey and onions. These materials do not have any side effects and children can also use them.

1st Recipe

Ingredients

1 medium onion
2 glasses of water
Juice of a lemon
2 teaspoons of honey

Preparation

Peel the onion and cut it into large pieces and boil in two glasses of water for 15 minutes.
When it boils, remove it from the fire, leave for 5 minutes. Then add two teaspoons of honey and lemon juice.
It is best to drink 2-3 times a day.

2nd Recipe

Ingredients

1 onion
2-3 tablespoons of honey

Preparation

Peel the onion and chop it in small pieces and put it in a bowl. Then add honey and leave overnight.
Next morning, strain the mixture with a cloth and use this dose throughout the day.
You can drink this recipe in its natural form or by mixing it with a glass of water.
Every two hours, take a tablespoon of syrup.
Whichever recipe you choose, the drug may not be effective immediately. You should take it regularly so that you can fully feel the effects of the treatment. This way you can cope with coughing.

Black Radish – Honey Cure That Naturally Heals Cough

For those looking for a way to cure cough naturally, we have a simple suggestion: Radish-honey cure. This cure, consisting of black radish and honey duo, is useful for cough, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases. With the cooling of the weather and the sudden change of temperatures, respiratory diseases such as colds, flu, sinusitis and voice reduction, and dry cough began to appear more frequently. It is also possible to produce solutions to such health problems through traditional approaches, herbal solutions, and searches for natural healing. One of the most common methods is radish and honey duo. If you want to cut the chronic cough in a snap, you can take advantage of the miraculous benefit of black radish and honey. So, how is the black radish honey cure prepared?

First, wash the medium black radish.
Cut the top of the black radish and carve the inside part of it, be careful not to pierce the bottom part while doing this.
Place the radish on glass (the liquid to be drunk will flow into the glass) and add a tablespoon of honey into the cavity.
Cover the cavity with the head of the radish you cut before and leave it for 12 hours. At the end of the period, you can start to consume the liquid flowing into the glass.

Note: It may have negative consequences for nursing mothers and pregnant women, so those who enter this class should not use it.

Black radish is a natural remedy against calculi that can form in the kidney and gall bladder thanks to the sulfuric compounds it contains. Thanks to the black radish, you can easily get rid of kidney and gall bladder calculus. Black radish simplifies the digestion process with its rich fiber source. On the other hand, it improves the overall digestive system speed of the body by improving bile function leading to improved digestion. It is suitable for those who are on a diet because it is low calorie.

Which Honey Is Best for Coughs: Buckwheat Honey

There are many studies with honey used in coughs seen in children. In these studies, it was seen that honey is more effective than cough syrups in the treatment of cough. Honey is also more effective than antihistamines. However, there are studies reporting that it is not more effective and has an equivalent effect than dextromethorphan. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey may benefit the cough reflex. It reduces phlegm formation as well and thus reduces cough.

Buckwheat honey is the most effective honey type for cough treatment. It honey has strong bactericidal properties. In particular, honey may heal coughs associated with infections. Buckwheat honey is especially useful for dry cough. It is also stated that buckwheat is very effective for cough, cold, and flu. It has been claimed to be beneficial for respiratory infections and problems such as insomnia.

The antioxidant power of honey is a result of a wide range of compounds, including phenolics, enzymes, peptides, organic acids, and Maillard reaction products. According to these results, the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat honey is higher as in other dark-colored honey. Besides, it is richer in vitamin C than other honey as well.

The Health Benefits of Buckwheat Honey

When looking at the composition of buckwheat honey, it can be concluded that this beekeeping product is rich in various vitamins and microelements, that is, it is very useful for our body. Honey can be called “natural preservative” because this product does not spoil, it also kills all bacteria. This feature can be used not only in cooking or preservation but also in the treatment of various bacterial diseases. Honey can fight viruses, so it is successfully used in the treatment of colds and infectious diseases.

Buckwheat honey is successfully used in cosmetology, so its benefits for women cannot be overestimated. Thanks to bee products, it cleanses the skin, gives elasticity, and relieves inflammation. It is also worth noting that honey is very useful for pregnant women, because its composition is similar to blood plasma, it is not rejected. The product helps strengthen the immune system, saturate the body with all the necessary vitamins and trace elements. An interesting feature of honey is that when taking a product before birth, it stimulates blood circulation in the uterus and helps the mother withstand painful sensations.

In winter and spring, honey helps fight avitaminosis and mineral deficiency. The product is enough to be consumed in small quantities daily to get rid of overwork and apathy and give the body additional energy for full-fledged work. It helps people suffering from anemia, hypertension, stomach ulcer, blood vessel problems, and stomach over-acidity. The bee product removes radionuclides from the body, that is, it is an indispensable product for people who work in nuclear power plants or near radioactive objects. Therefore, it is difficult to overlook the medicinal properties of buckwheat honey. The product can also be used as a food additive to replenish the supply of vitamins, therefore it is necessary for the treatment of various diseases.