From the Guidelines
For a cough, raw honey is generally considered the best option, particularly darker varieties like buckwheat, manuka, or eucalyptus honey, as it may offer more relief for cough symptoms than no treatment, diphenhydramine, or placebo, although it is not better than dextromethorphan 1. When choosing a honey for a cough, consider the following factors:
- Darker honeys typically contain more antioxidants and beneficial compounds than lighter varieties
- The thicker consistency of raw honey allows it to stay in contact with irritated throat tissues longer, providing more sustained relief
- Honey works by coating the throat to soothe irritation, reducing inflammation, and providing antimicrobial properties that may help fight infections Take 1-2 teaspoons of honey as needed, either straight or mixed in warm (not hot) water or tea. For children over age one, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon can be given as needed 1. It is essential to note that honey should not be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism. While honey can help manage cough symptoms, persistent coughs lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. In terms of other treatment options, over-the-counter cough medications have little, if any, benefit in the symptomatic control of acute cough in children and are associated with adverse events, including reported death from toxicity in young children 1. Therefore, the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be prescribed until they have been shown to make cough less severe or resolve sooner 1.
From the Research
Types of Honey for Cough Relief
- There are various types of honey that can be used for cough relief, but the most effective one is not specified in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Buckwheat honey was used in some studies and showed positive results in relieving nocturnal cough and improving sleep quality in children 4, 5.
Comparison with Other Cough Medications
- Honey was compared with dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine in some studies, and the results showed that honey was more effective in relieving cough symptoms and improving sleep quality 4, 5.
- Another study compared the effectiveness of three cough syrups, including guaifenesin, guaifenesin plus codeine, and guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan, and found that they were equally effective in relieving cough symptoms 6.
Efficacy of Honey in Relieving Cough Symptoms
- Studies have shown that honey can be an effective alternative to antibiotics in relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, including cough 2, 3.
- Honey has antimicrobial properties and can help improve combined symptom scores, cough frequency, and cough severity 2.
- The evidence suggests that honey may be more effective than cough medication or placebo/no treatment in relieving symptoms and improving sleep in children with acute cough 3, 4, 5.