From the Guidelines
Honey is a recommended treatment for persistent coughing, especially in children, as it may offer more relief for cough symptoms than no treatment, diphenhydramine, or placebo. For children with acute cough, honey can be an effective alternative to other over-the-counter medications, as suggested by the Chest guideline and expert panel report 1. The report states that honey may offer more relief for cough symptoms than no treatment, diphenhydramine, or placebo, although it is not better than dextromethorphan.
When using honey to treat persistent coughing, it is essential to consider the age of the patient. For adults and children over age 1, taking 1-2 teaspoons of honey as needed can help soothe the throat and reduce cough frequency. Honey creates a protective coating on the throat, reducing irritation that triggers coughing. It also has natural antimicrobial properties that may help fight infections. The thick consistency helps coat the throat longer than other remedies, and its sweetness may trigger nerve fibers that suppress cough reflexes.
Some key points to consider when using honey for persistent coughing include:
- Take honey straight from a spoon or mix it into warm (not hot) tea
- Use it several times daily as needed
- Never give honey to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism
- If the cough persists beyond 2-3 weeks, is accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, or produces colored phlegm, seek medical attention as these may indicate a more serious condition requiring medical treatment. Although an older study recommends a home remedy, such as honey and lemon if you feel the need for treatment 1, the most recent and highest quality study should be prioritized, which is the Chest guideline and expert panel report 1.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Honey for Cough Relief
- Honey has been studied as a potential remedy for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections, including cough [ 2 ].
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that honey improved combined symptom score, cough frequency, and cough severity compared to usual care [ 2 ].
- The study suggested that honey could be a widely available and cheap alternative to antibiotics for relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections [ 2 ].
Causes of Chronic Cough
- Chronic cough can be caused by various conditions, including upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and laryngopharyngeal reflux [ 3, 4, 5 ].
- A study found that asthma, postnasal drip syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, alone or in combination, were responsible for 93.6% of cases of chronic cough [ 6 ].
Evaluation and Management of Chronic Cough
- The initial assessment of chronic cough should include cost-effective diagnostic tests, such as chest radiography and spirometry, and empiric and targeted treatment for the most common etiologies [ 3, 5 ].
- For chronic refractory cough, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy combined with a trial of gabapentin or amitriptyline can be considered [ 5 ].