Is Honey Good For A Sore Throat?

Honey is one of the best natural products for treating a sore throat, either on its own or in combination with other ingredients. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection like a common cold or influenza but they can be sometimes caused by smoking and allergies also.

Sore throats are especially common as we head into winter and thankfully most of the time it is nothing to be overly concerned about. A sore throat can be extremely painful and uncomfortable though, especially if it makes it sore and difficult to swallow.

Can Honey Really Provide Relief from Sore Throat?

Honey has many medicinal benefits that can be very effective in tackling a sore throat. It's full of antioxidants and antibacterial qualities that help with fighting infections that are caused by viruses like the common cold, while also being perfect for soothing a sore and scratchy throat.

Many health professionals including Public Health England suggest that honey should be the first line of treatment for a cough or sore throat. Scientists at Oxford University have shown that honey is likely to be just as good for sore throats as any prescribed or off the shelf medicine.

There are several reasons for why this is the case. Honey contains an enzyme called glucose-oxidase which has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. They combat the bacteria and can help to prevent a viral infection from spreading. Honey also tends to act as a hypertonic osmotic which means it can remove water from the sore inflamed tissue in our throat that can help reduce the swelling.

Honey also adds a coating of protection to your dry throat which works to soothe the irritation of a sore throat and cough as well. Manuka honey in particular is known to be especially helpful in treating sore throats and even tonsillitis caused by streptococcus bacterium.

Which honey or honey product should I use?

We would recommend the following honey products for being particularly effective for treating a sore throat.

Just Bee Honey with Lemon & Ginger

One of the simplest and effective ways we've found to use honey to treat a cough or sore throat is by using two teaspoons of our Honey with Lemon and Ginger stirred directly into a cup of hot water. Not only will you enjoy the soothing and healing properties of the honey, but also a boost of vitamin C to help combat respiratory infections. This also comes with the added benefits of ginger root that can help calm down any inflammation, it's a quick and easy treatment that also tastes great!

Drink twice a day at the first signs of a sore throat and you might find that it actually prevents the sore throat from developing into anything worse.

Just Bee Turmeric+ Honey with Turmeric Extract.

Turmeric contains curcuminoids, which are powerful antiseptics, antibiotics and antibacterial compounds. They can reduce the inflammation caused by sore throat and help fight off any infection present. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and shares many of its properties, so our Turmeric Honey makes a great alternative to lemon and ginger if you prefer the taste.

Add two teaspoons of turmeric+ Honey to a mug of hot water and stir, you can also add a little lemon juice if you like.

Just Bee Manuka 263 MGO - Vitamin Honey

Manuka honey is fantastic as a sore throat treatment. Just Bee Manuka honey is very rich in anti-oxidants and antibacterial properties that are particularly effective against viruses that cause sore throats and coughs.

While Manuka honey is relatively expensive, we've found that just a single teaspoon taken directly off the spoon can be highly effective in treating a sore throat. When taken first thing in the morning, it can provide soothing relief for a large part of the day.

Just Bee Propolis & Vitamin Throat Spray

Our Propolis & Vitamin Throat Spray contains pure honey and bee propolis, which combine to effectively soothe a sore throat. This product is extremely handy for when you are on the go and need some quick relief.

Just Bee Natural Throat & Cough Syrup

Bee propolis is special resin like material gathered by bees from the buds of trees. It also helps soothe your sore throat and contains flavonoids which have an antioxidant effect. Anti-inflammatory means to reduce the swelling and inflammation in your throat. We add botanicals and herbal extracts known to have anti-inflammatory effects. Our Natural Throat & Cough Syrup is highly recommended if you have a nasty cough as well as a sore throat.

Just Bee Wellness & Immunity Bundle

New on the shelves of the Just Bee hive is our Just Bee Wellness & Immunity Bundle that includes our lemon and ginger honey, throat syrup and throat spray for just £19.99, saving you 25% off the individual prices!

Additionally...

As well as providing relief with the products above Just Bee Vitamin Honey can also play an important role in helping you to look after your natural immune system. This can not only reduce the severity of a cold but can also prevent you catching future colds and other viruses. The usual reason for a sore throat are common viral infections like these and honey can provide a key part of your daily defence against them.

Dry throat, difficulty while swallowing, and scratchiness are some the common symptoms of a typical sore throat. If you notice any other symptoms that are concerning you or your symptoms drag on for longer than a week without any signs of improvement then we always recommend seeking medical advice from a doctor. A more serious infection or illness may not be able to be treated with any of the products we sell.

All types of honey are generally safe to use for treating a sore throat, but honey must not be given to babies and infants under 1 year old due to the risk of infant botulism. This is a rare but serious form of poisoning, which comes from ingesting spores in honey products.