Got A Cough? Honey Is The Answer

Honey:  “a sweet viscid material elaborated out of the nectar of flowers in the honey sac of various bees.” Merriam-Webster.

Most people, when they think of the word “honey,” they instantly think of two words: “bees” and “sweet.” However, there’s one word that should be added to that list: “wholesome.” After all, that is the best word to describe this thick liquid.

For many people, using honey for the health benefits is not a new thing. For centuries, honey has been one of the most valued natural products. However, it wasn’t until very recently that the amazing health benefits of honey have been gaining more validation and recognition — long overdue, but great nonetheless.

THE BENEFITS OF HONEY

According to Cleveland Clinic, honey can help reduce the risk of heart disease, aid digestion, and even offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits. Furthermore, honey is anti-inflammatory and can help in the process of wound-healing. It also promotes quality sleep by helping the brain release melatonin, also known as the “sleep hormone.”

The list of benefits goes on and on. But there is one benefit in particular that has recently gained more attention and validation from experts. That is the honey’s ability to treat upper respiratory tract infections, especially sore throats and coughs.

AN EFFECTIVE COUGH REMEDY

Nowadays, most people’s first course of action to battle respiratory infections is turning to antibiotics. While they are proven to be effective (most of the time), experts are encountering a growing problem: antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance occurs “when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.”

As a result of this growing concern, experts are trying to find alternatives to antibiotics to battle respiratory infections.

Well, they didn’t have to look hard. It turns out, honey may be the answer to this problem.

According to an evidence synthesis conducted by BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, experts concluded that honey’s antimicrobial properties are actually “superior to usual care for the improvement of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections,” and a cheap and effective alternative to antibiotics.

For some, this information is nothing new. As we mentioned earlier, honey has been used as a natural remedy for sore throats and coughs for several decades. However, the fact that experts are validating its incredible properties and even calling it an alternative to antibiotics is simply amazing.

CHOOSING QUALITY HONEY

As with everything else in life, quality matters when it comes to honey.

There are many brands and types of honey. There’s even “fake” honey out there. With that being said, it can be very hard to know which one will be provide the highest amount of benefits.

When in doubt, opt for raw.

The best way to describe raw honey is: “straight from the beehive.” It has no additives or preservatives, and it has not been filtered or pasteurized. When foods are pasteurized or processed at high heat, they are stripped from their nutrients. At that point, the product doesn’t provide the nutrients that it is meant to provide.

Raw honey comes in different flavors depending on its type: Acacia, Wildflower, Mãnuka, Buckwheat, and Orange Blossom, just to name a few. It doesn’t matter which type is your favorite, just make sure it’s raw. When we eat raw products, we get the maximum amount of nutrients that these foods are meant to provide and therefore, benefit from their amazing properties.

Dr. Mercola provides an easy but effective test that helps people determine the quality of their honey and confirm if it is actually raw and unprocessed.

Thumb Test: “Put a small drop of honey on your thumb. Check to see if the honey spills or spreads around. If it spills or spreads around, this means that the honey isn’t pure. Pure honey stays intact on your thumb.”

Water Test: “Fill a glass with water. Add a tablespoon of honey into the glass, and observe. Adulterated or artificial honey tends to dissolve in water, and you’ll notice it around the glass. However, pure honey will settle right at the bottom of the glass.”

HOW TO USE HONEY

If you are looking to relieve a cough or use honey for medicinal purposes, I suggest taking between 3-4 tbsp. or about 1/4 cup a day until symptoms subside.

As with any other sweetener, it is important to be mindful of the dose. If you have a disease that has a sugar conflict (like diabetes) please consult with your doctor before consuming honey. For those who don’t have a disease or any current respiratory infections, I suggest taking a spoonful of honey a day for maintenance.

Next time you or your loved ones have a cough, just follow the buzz!