Honey for cough and sore throat: what the evidence says
By the Sook ul Zahra team · · 5 min read
A spoonful of honey is the first thing many Pakistani families reach for when a child starts coughing at night. Unlike most home remedies, this one has been tested in clinical trials. The results are more modest than the folklore, and they come with limits worth knowing before you use it.
What the research found
The strongest evidence is a Cochrane review, updated in 2018, that pooled six trials with 899 children aged 12 months to 18 years. Its authors concluded that honey probably reduces cough frequency better than no treatment or a placebo, and rated that evidence moderate. Against diphenhydramine, an antihistamine found in some cough syrups, honey may work better, though that evidence is low certainty. Against dextromethorphan, another common cough ingredient, the review found little or no difference.
Two limits stand out. The benefit was seen with honey given for up to three days, and the review found no advantage beyond that. And the overall quality of the trials was low to moderate, partly because some participants knew what they were taking.
What about adults?
Most of this research is in children. For adults, the NHS lists hot lemon and honey among home remedies and says it can have an effect similar to cough syrup, then adds that there is limited evidence that it helps. That is a fair summary: the remedy is low risk and pleasant, and it may soothe a sore throat, but nobody should expect it to shorten the illness.
How to use honey for a cough
- Take a teaspoon or two on its own, or stir it into a warm drink once the drink has cooled enough to sip.
- Add lemon if you like the taste. The research did not test lemon.
- Keep it to a few days. If the cough is still there, it needs a doctor, not more honey.
- Count it as sugar. The World Health Organization treats the sugars in honey as free sugars, so a few spoonfuls a day belongs inside your overall sugar limit. Our guide to honey in warm water shows how that adds up.
Who should not use honey for a cough
Babies under 12 months. Honey can carry bacteria that produce toxin in a baby’s gut and cause infant botulism, a serious illness. Both the NHS and the Cochrane review say not to give it. Older babies and toddlers who are unwell should see a doctor rather than be treated with home remedies.
People with diabetes should ask their doctor first, because honey raises blood sugar like other sugars. And take care with hot drinks around small children, since the NHS warns about burns.
When a cough needs a doctor
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if a cough lasts more than three weeks, and getting urgent help if it is severe or quickly getting worse, or comes with chest pain, swollen glands in the neck, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or feeling very unwell. Unexplained weight loss is another reason to book an appointment.
Does the type of honey matter?
The evidence is about honey in general. We do not claim that any of our honeys works better for a cough. If you use one, pick the flavour you enjoy: mild clover honey is the easiest for children who dislike strong tastes. Our guide to the benefits of honey covers what else honey can and cannot do.
This article is general information and not medical advice. See a doctor about any persistent or serious symptom.