Honey for Sore Throat - Does Honey Help?

A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down – or so Mary Poppins sang. Why not make it go down in an even more delightful way? Try Jarrah honey…it coats the throat and triggers the swallowing mechanism (therefore making it easier to swallow). As honey is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory it may also reduce the symptoms of acute coughs due to upper respiratory tract infections.

Benefits of Honey

• Antimicrobial powers  
• Anti-inflammatory  
• Antioxidant rich 
• Great prebiotic  
• Low GI 
• Antidiabetic properties 

Honey for sore throat 

It’s common to get a sore throat every now and then. You may have a sore throat due to the following: 

• Bacterial or viral infections, like step throat and sinus infections 
• Allergies 
• Tonsillitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 
• Irritants like smoking or spicy foods 

In addition to having other symptoms like nasal congestion, fatigue and fever, you may develop a cough. 

So, does honey help a sore throat? Yes, honey has a long history of being used as a natural remedy. It is one of the best natural remedies for cold and flu season.  

Studies have shown that honey can be as effective as a common cough suppressant typically bought over the counter. In fact, NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) who oversees UK healthcare and PHE (Public Health England) have recommended Active healing honeys could be an effective first line of treatment for coughs in children over 5 and adults *.  

An ongoing clinical study at the Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) in partnership with the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Telethon Kids Institute, is also studying the effectiveness of West Australian Active healing honeys as a natural pain relief option for children following a tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils). Early feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive. 

How to use for a sore throat

Why not try this simple yet soothing drink with the extra addition of some vitamin C? 

Slowly dissolve 1 teaspoon of Active honey in some warm water (do not add hot water as this will dilute some of the Activity in the honey). Add lemon juice to taste. Drink slowly and enjoy. 

So yes, if you are looking for a natural way to sooth a sore throat, or natural remedies for cold and flu season, it is definitely time to stock up some Active Western Australian honey.   

*Please note that if you have an underlying medical condition you should consult your physician first. Do not feed honey to infants 12 months or under.