Traditional therapies for skin wound healing (ethnobotanical review)
Journal of Ethnopharmacology / PMC · 2016
"Honey has been used historically across cultures for wounds, coughs and skin conditions"
Reviewed guidance
Honey for sore throat
Evidence identified here concerns acute cough in children, not sore throat itself, so it does not directly establish benefit for acute pharyngitis. Honey may be used as an ordinary food ingredient for comfort, but the evidence is indirect.
What this means
Supportive soothing use in an uncomplicated sore throat; not a treatment for the underlying cause.
How to use it: Use only in ordinary food quantities, such as in a warm drink, if comfortable. Do not use it to delay assessment of severe or persistent symptoms.
Safety & cautions
Never give honey to a child under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. Consider sugar content and dental health; follow product and clinical advice for people with diabetes.
Get medical care for symptoms that are severe, last longer than expected, get worse, or otherwise concern you.
Household preparations
Practical ways to use the ingredient may not provide the same form or amount discussed in the evidence.
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Ginger–honey fruit smoothie
A simple fruit smoothie with fresh ginger and optional honey.
Ginger–lemon–honey concentrate
A make-ahead refrigerator concentrate for stirring into warm water.
Honey Food recipe
Use in ordinary food quantities, for example in an existing warm honey drink. This is supportive self-care and does not inherit honey's separate acute-cough evidence rating.
Honey–ginger baked pears
Warm baked pears flavored with ginger and a small amount of honey.
Honey–ginger overnight oats
A make-ahead breakfast with fresh ginger and a touch of honey.
Honey–ginger warm drink
A familiar warm drink combining honey with fresh ginger.
Honey–thyme infusion
A warm thyme infusion sweetened with honey.
Hot lemon & honey drink
A classic warm drink using honey and lemon for simple short-term self-care.
Evidence transparency
Evidence & sources
Honey for acute cough in children
Cochrane Collaboration · 2018
Honey has been traditionally used orally as a home remedy for cough and sore throat in folk and paediatric home-care practices.