Researchers highlight benefits of honey as alternative treatment

Honey may be better than usual care for easing upper respiratory tract symptoms, especially coughs, researchers have said.

The substance is cheap, readily available, and has virtually no side-effects.

Doctors can recommend it as a suitable alternative to antibiotics, which are often prescribed for such infections, even though they are not suitable, scientists from Oxford University said.

Upper respiratory tract infections affect the nose, throat, voice box and the large air passages (bronchi) that lead from the windpipe to the lungs. Symptoms can include sore throat, blocked nose, cough, and congestion.

There is evidence for honey being used in children, and it has long been used as a home remedy to treat coughs and colds. But the evidence for its effectiveness for a range of upper respiratory tract symptoms in adults has not been systematically reviewed.

To address this, the scientists looked at research for relevant studies comparing honey and preparations that included it as an ingredient with usual care – mostly antihistamines, expectorants, cough suppressants, and painkillers.

They found 14 suitable clinical trials, involving 1,761 participants of varying ages.

Data analysis of these studies indicated honey was more effective than usual care for improving symptoms, especially frequency and severity of coughing. Two studies showed symptoms lasted one to two days less treated with honey.

The researchers suggest honey might therefore provide an alternative prescription to safely treat upper respiratory tract symptoms.