Thanks to its antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, honey is a natural remedy that relieves oily, dry, nocturnal coughs… with milk, lemon. Here are the best honey remedies.
1. Thyme honey against wet cough
A fatty cough is a productive cough that can be recognized by the sputum that allows the phlegm present in the bronchi to be expelled and thus frees the airways. To relieve this type of cough, Shana Sarfati, naturopath-nutritionist advises:
► thyme honey for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. “It can be combined with spices such as clove or ginger“;
► eucalyptus honey because it is an antiviral, a pulmonary antiseptic, an anti-inflammatory and an antispasmodic. “It can be consumed pure, with a spoon, or mixed with a hot drink”;
► THE Honey of fir for its energizing, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract. “Rich in trace elements, it combines very well with all fruits and vegetables.
“It is possible to make a recipe by mixing a teaspoon of honey with two drops of eucalyptus essential oil in herbal tea. Be careful though, eucalyptus essential oil is contraindicated for children under 6 and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
2. Lavender honey for dry cough
A dry cough, unlike a wet cough, is an inflammation of the trachea. It is recognized by the fact that there is no sputum and is therefore very irritating. The naturopath therefore advises to use mainly lavender honey. “This one is antiseptic, anti-inflammatoryit calms coughs, treats burns and is healing. It coats the irritated walls of the throat and therefore has antitussive effects. Two spoons of lavender honey with 2 drops of cypress essential oil is an ideal mixture to relieve dry cough. Cypress essential oil is contraindicated for children under 6, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with hormone-dependent disease.
3. A honey infusion against night cough
There is no specific honey to ingest to calm a nocturnal cough. It is especially important to take a honey adapted to the type of cough whether oily or dry (see above). “Before to sleep, however, an infusion with honey can be effective in soothing phlegmrespiratory tract and relieve throat irritation because honey decreases cough intensity and limits nocturnal fits. Raising your head and checking that the room is at a good temperature are reflexes that can also help“, explains Shana Sarfati.
4. Lavender honey against bronchitis
lavender honey is ideal in case of bronchitis, angina or to treat infected wounds.
5. Does warm honey milk really calm coughs?
“The heat soothes the bronchi and airways. Assembled with honey, this heals and soothes, regardless of the type of cough. To limit intestinal discomfort, it is better to opt for vegetable or sheep’s milk rather than cow’s milk.”
6. Lemon and honey: does it work against cough?
“Lemon is also a natural healing and antiseptic. Lemon and honey mixture is more recommended for dry cough. The ideal is to assemble lemon, thyme, ginger and honey and drink it in infusion 3 to 4 times a day to soothe the airways overall. But when you suffer from reflux it is better to avoid lemon.
Contraindications
Honey is contraindicated for diabetics and children under one year old.
Thanks to Shana Sarfati, naturopath-nutritionist in the 9th arrondissement of Paris and in Charenton-le-Pont (Val-de-Marne).