Coughs and colds commonly affect children and adults alike. Although there is available and prescribed modern medicine to treat it, people these days have understood their side effects and harmful nature. It is for this reason; they are going back to those age-old Ayurvedic remedies, where natural ingredients are used for treating different types of ailments and diseases.
Honey to control and prevent cough and cold
The truth is that the health benefits of honey for colds and coughs are many. At the same time, being prepared by honey bees in nature, it is undoubtedly completely safe for everyone and all ages. It contains anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties to boost the body’s immune system. There are different ways by which honey can help to soothe and provide comfort to common cold and cough.
Changing weather patterns like sudden rain, cold, or heat can cause cold and cough among all ages. Children are unfortunately the most vulnerable of them all to catch such common ailments very quickly, due to their developing immune system not offering much and adequate protection. This age-old practice is safe since grandmothers right for a long time have been prescribing their children and grandchildren as well as the neighbors to take honey to cure a cold and cough.
Honey does come with numerous medicinal properties and is very beneficial for human health. It boosts the immune system, thereby helping the body to combat and prevent further extension of suffering from cold and cough, which may occur at any season and without showing any prior intimation or symptom. So, if you are unwell, then using honey is the best and safe choice to follow.
Can honey offer a better remedy to coughs and colds when compared to modern medicines?
Drinking warm lemon water combined with honey or tea is considered to be an age-old practice to soothe a cold and sore throat. However, honey alone is regarded to be an amazing and highly effective cough suppressant.
For children over the world, honey is found to be a much safer, better, and cost-effective treatment and does offer instant results. According to studies conducted globally, it is found to be better than over the counter cough syrup.
As per researchers, buckwheat honey if given to children before bedtime in a small dosage can offer much-needed relief especially during night time, when quality sleep is not available due to cough. Over the counter, cold medications are said to have a cough suppressant in them termed as DM (dextromethorphan). On the other hand, honey does a wonderful job to reduce annoyance, frequency, and severity of the issue at night time, which generally is caused by an upper respiratory infection. On taking honey, the child enjoys great comfort and can sleep soundly along with his/her parents or guardian sleeping beside. DM is found to not offer any significant effect to alleviate the symptoms faced and was not better than giving any treatment. The FDA advisory board recently recommended not giving over the counter cold and cough medicines to children who are under six years of age. This is because such medications lacked effectiveness and come with potential side effects.
It was also noticed in a study that neither diphenhydramine, stated to be a common component found in cold medications or DM are found to perform better when compared to that of a placebo to improve quality sleep or reduce night time cough. For centuries, some cultures across the globe were found to have used honey as a remedy to treat and cure infection symptoms arising in the upper respiratory area. Honey is also equally considered to be extremely safe to be given to children over 12 years of age.
It does come with proven antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, an essential element that has proved to heal wounds. As per World Health Organization statements, it also soothes on contact, thus having an amazing effect on cough.
Children under the age of 1 should not be given honey to treat cough or cold, because of the risk of contracting infant botulism. It is a serious, but rare type of food poisoning. Coughing is not bad as it helps to clear away the accumulated mucus from the airway. In case, your child or you are in good health, then there is no reason for you to suppress the incoming cough. Studies have also revealed that a good percentage of outpatient visits are made by people of all ages to treat common cough and cold when compared to getting treatment for other symptoms. Billions of dollars are being spent annually on buying cold and cough OTC medications, although very little evidence is found that such drugs do not provide much relief.
How natural honey is used to soothe and treat cough and cold and the ways to use it
- Dry ginger and honey: Take ginger powder of half a teaspoon and mix it with the honey of one teaspoon, which can be beneficial to treat cold and cough. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Honey and ginger, when mixed and consumed, can help cure cough much faster.
- Raw honey: Suction and anti-bacterial properties are present in honey. Hence, it will be wise to consume a spoonful of honey before going to sleep at night. Mucus will create a coating upon the membrane, thus offering immense relief from cold, cough, and sore throat.
- Honey and lemon: Take some hot water and mix in its honey and lemon juice to derive quick relief from cold and cough. Lemon has Vitamin C, while antibacterial properties are present in honey, which when consumed can help cure a cough quickly.
- Garlic and honey: Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are present in garlic. Honey is to be mixed with garlic paste (1 spoon), which can help cure a cold and cough.
- Honey and black pepper: Mix some black pepper powder with honey (one spoonful) and consume it to reduce problems faced with cold and cough. Chest infection problems will also soothe.
Torex Syrup can offer numerous honey benefits for cough and ensure that you or any member of your family do not suffer from the common cold or cough for a prolonged time.
