Is Honey Good for Cough?

Yes, honey may ease a short-term cough caused by a cold in adults and children at least 1 year old, possibly by soothing an irritated throat.

Is honey a good option for a cough?

Honey is a reasonable comfort measure for an otherwise well adult or older child with a cold-related cough. It may make coughing less frequent or bothersome, including at night, although it does not help everyone.

Honey does not cure the underlying illness, and a cough can have causes other than a cold. For more food options, see the guide to the best foods for cough. If a cough is worsening, persistent or accompanied by warning signs, get medical advice rather than relying on honey alone.

How might honey help a cough?

Honey is thick and sweet, and it may temporarily soothe an irritated throat. That soothing effect could reduce the urge to cough, but the precise mechanism has not been established.

A warm drink can also feel comforting when your throat is dry or sore. You can take honey on its own or mix it into water; the guide to best drinks for cough has more information about fluids for comfort.

Honey has antimicrobial properties in some settings, but that does not establish that eating it clears a respiratory infection. It should not replace an examination or prescribed treatment when those are needed.

What does the evidence say about honey and cough?

A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis included 14 studies of honey for upper respiratory tract infections. Compared with usual care, honey was associated with improvements in cough frequency and severity. The studies had a moderate overall risk of bias, and the limited placebo-controlled evidence did not clearly establish a benefit over placebo.

Research in children is encouraging but uncertain. A 2023 systematic review of 10 studies found that honey seemed to reduce cough frequency and improve sleep in some comparisons. The evidence was rated low to very low quality, and the researchers called for better placebo-controlled trials.

An earlier Cochrane review included six randomized trials involving 899 children with acute cough. Individual studies used different comparisons, so their results should not be taken to mean that honey is the best choice for every child.

In one randomized trial of 105 children with cold symptoms, parents rated nighttime cough improvement more favorably after honey than after no treatment. The study did not find a significant difference between honey and dextromethorphan, a cough medicine; that does not prove the two are equally effective.

How can you use honey for a cough?

An adult can take a small amount of honey from a spoon or stir it into warm water. If coughing is disrupting sleep, taking honey before bed is one practical option; the nighttime trial studied a single pre-bedtime use.

For a child who is at least 1 year old, offer a small amount from a spoon or mixed into warm water, and supervise them as they swallow. Make sure the drink is not hot enough to burn. Studies have used different amounts and preparations, so there is no established single best dose for every person.

For a simple drink, see the honey water guide. Whether taken alone or in water, honey is for temporary symptom relief; pay attention to whether the cough is improving and whether other symptoms develop.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Infants under 1 year: Do not give any honey, including raw or pasteurized honey mixed into water or food. It can cause infant botulism. If an infant has had honey, contact their pediatrician promptly; seek urgent medical care for symptoms such as poor feeding, a weak cry, constipation or unusual floppiness.

Diabetes and allergies: Honey contains sugar and can raise blood glucose. If you have diabetes, account for it in your eating plan and ask your diabetes care team if you are unsure how to do that. Avoid honey if you have had an allergic reaction to it.

Pregnancy, medication and health conditions: Honey is generally considered safe as a food during pregnancy, but discuss a persistent cough or concerns about gestational diabetes with a clinician. If you have asthma, another lung condition, or take medication for a health condition, ask your clinician about a new or worsening cough. Do not stop prescribed medication in favor of honey.

When to get help: Seek emergency care for serious trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, severe drowsiness or coughing up blood. Contact a clinician if the cough is getting worse, is not improving, or lasts more than 3 weeks, or if you are concerned about a child's breathing, hydration or general condition.