Honey for Cold
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Honey for ColdCold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract i.e. your nose and throat. Colds are not harmful, but have symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, mild fever, sneezing, etc. Colds are usually cured in about 7 – 10 days.
You can easily reduce cold symptoms with the common kitchen ingredient honey. In this article we are going to explain how it helps to treat the cold.

How Honey helps to treat Colds?

Honey has natural properties which help to treat colds.

  • Honey contains antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that fight against the virus, bacteria, and fungus to treat the cold and its underlying symptoms.
  • It helps to soothe a sore or scratchy throat naturally and relieves irritation.
  • It boosts the immune system, which reduces the severity of cold and also prevents future colds and other viruses.

How Honey is used to treat Cold:

1. Honey and Cinnamon

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties that effectively prevent colds.

  • Mix one tablespoon of lukewarm honey and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
  • Consume this twice a day for three days.
  • Note: You can mix honey and cinnamon into fruit salads, hot water, fruit juices, tea etc.

2. Honey

Regularly consuming honey will help treat colds and their symptoms, as well as many other health problems.

  • Consume one tablespoon of honey at the first sign of a cold or cough.
  • Note: You can add honey and lemon juice to tea or warm water if you do not want to consume it raw.

3. Honey Gargle

Honey gargles ease the pain of a sore throat and help the body get rid of colds faster.

  • Mix a tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice with two cups of hot water.
  • Add a teaspoon of honey and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
  • Gargle the solution.

4. Honey and Raw Onions

  • Cut a whole red onion into slices.
  • Coat the onion slices with honey and a little sugar.
  • Allow the honey and onions to soak overnight and consume a teaspoon the following morning.
  • Repeat the process multiple times a day as needed.

5. Honey, Lemon, and Ginger

  • Obtain an 8 ounce canning jar.
  • Quarter a whole lemon and place the slices in the jar.
  • Grate a 1.5” square nob of ginger and add to the jar.
  • Mix and add enough honey to fill the jar while stirring the mixture.Soak for a few hours and then add 1 or 2 teaspoons of the mixture to hot water and drink.
  • Note: Make sure to keep the jar in the refrigerator for further use.

6. Honey and Cinnamon Tea

Honey and cinnamon suppress cough, which allows a person with cold symptoms to get a better night sleep.

  • Steep 0.5 to 3 teaspoons of cinnamon bark in a cup of water for five minutes, then remove the bark.
  • Add 2 teaspoons of honey and mix well.
  • Note: It is best to drink this tea before bed to improve the quality of sleep.

7. Honey and Cold Water

  • Fill a tall glass with cold water.
  • Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of honey and microwave for 10 seconds.
  • Note: If the mixture is too bitter, sweetener may be added.

8. Honey and Brandy

Brandy has antimicrobial properties that thin the mucus built up by the cold.  If this mixture is consumed prior to bed, it will help the cold sufferer breathe freely, limit cough, and ease a sore throat, thus allowing for a better night’s sleep.

  • Boil approximately 3 ounces of water.
  • Pour 1.5 to 2 ounces of brandy into a tea cup.
  • Add the hot water to the brandy and stir in a teaspoon of honey.Squeeze a lemon wedge into the tea.
  • Repeat as needed.

9. Honey and Whiskey Hot Toddy

Whiskey can aid in relieving cold symptoms.  Bourbon helps treat congestion and sore throat, while Irish whiskey is helpful for treating a persistent cough.

  • Combine equal parts whiskey, honey, and fresh lemon into a mug.
  • Microwave until the mixture is hot and slowly sip.
  • Note: If the mixture tastes too strong, add ¼ cup hot water.

10. Honey and Lemon Tea

Regularly drinking honey and lemon tea will help get rid of cold symptoms.

  • Combine 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into a mug.
  • Add enough hot water to fill the mug.
  • Stir and drink.

11. Honey with Lemon and Cinnamon

Regularly drinking honey with lemon and cinnamon will prevent colds and help alleviate cold symptoms.

  • Squeeze half of a lemon into ½ cup of warm water.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 pinch of cinnamon.
  • Stir well and drink.

12. Manuka Honey For Cold

Manuka honey contains antibacterial, antiviral properties, which makes it effective in treating cold and flu symptoms.  It contains more minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants than any other type of honey, which allows it to boost the immune system to prevent colds and provide more energy.  Manuka honey also has a naturally occurring active ingredient, UMF, which does not lose its potency when exposed to heat and light like other types of honey.

  • Consume a teaspoon of manuka honey 3 to 4 times per day.
  • Note: Consuming manuka honey regularly helps to prevent cold and flu symptoms.

13. Little Cold Honey Elixir

This method is a medication free way to help sooth cough and sore throat naturally.  It is safe for toddlers who are at least 12 months old and is free of alcohol, saccharin, and gluten.  Parents should consult with their paediatricians prior to giving their child honey, as it may interact with certain medications or trigger an allergy.

  • Children age 1 to 4 should be given 1 teaspoon of raw, organic, unpasteurized honey.
  • Children over age 4 and adults should consume 2 teaspoons of raw, organic, unpasteurized honey.
  • Note: Honey should not be given to children under 12 months old as it can cause botulism, which may be fatal.

Precautions:

Honey is a very effective way of preventing and treating colds and cold symptoms, but it is important to follow the following precautions.

  • Honey should not be given to children under 12 months old as it can cause botulism, which may be fatal. You may check out our other post on treating baby cold for further information.
  • Honey should be raw, organic, and unpasteurized to yield the best results. Apple Cider Vinegar is one great home remedy for cold too!
  • Parents should consult with their paediatricians prior to giving their child honey, as it may interact with certain medications or trigger an allergy.
  • Few people are allergic to honey and cinnamon. Consult your doctor before following the remedy.
15 comments
    1. Yes, honey contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which deal with bacteria or fungus causing cold. Apart from that it boosts your immune system.

      1. Colds are viral…

        The best honey can do for you is soothe your sore throat, potentially reducing the occurrence of your cough.

  1. Honey is extremely good for both sore throat and common cold. I use honey (not the commercially available one in the retail outlets) but I get from Arya Vaidya Pharmacy or local stores that have access to wild honey. I gargle honey alone for close to 5 min. I do that for 2 – 3 times a day. 90% of sore throat disappears in a day, what over the counter medicines cannot do. With honey gargle, I was able to get rid of cold in 3 days. No waiting for 5 – 7 days.

    1. For sore throat, gargling with warm salt water is super effective, Your throat pain will vanish in 15 minutes. No need of expensive antibiotics.

  2. Can honey help bring up mucus from the chest.? If not what can help loosen up this mucus so that i can bring it up ? .

  3. HONEY ! (You just haven’t got it have you!).
    I – NEVER get it, (the cold I’m talking about). For nearly 18 years of taking honey I’ve been “cold free” – not only that, I’ve been t r y I n g to get it! If you see a tall old guy, waiting till the lift is just about full of beautiful intelligent women, b e f o r e he manages to get into that “mouthwateringly beautiful crowd of lovely young people – it (c o u l d) be me – I still don’t get the cold that at least one of them must have!
    I say N O T H I N G ! ‘Cept, don’t heat the honey, honey; take it straight from the jar, onto the toast, cornflakes etc etc and so forth – preferably cold – (honey he work better when he not heated up).
    FABARM has spoke! X.

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