What Makes Honey And Lemon An Effective Cough Remedy?
Let’s begin with an essential question—Why do we cough? Coughing is the protective reflex to irritants in the throat and the airways (1). Pathogenic foreign bodies are mainly expelled by diaphragmatic contraction through a combination of cough and mucilaginous substances. The irritants stimulate the brain to send a signal to the muscles of the chest wall, which expands to take forceful breath to expel irritants (2). That is why coughing is considered beneficial to the body as it clears off the mucus from within (3). However, in case the mucus has accumulated in large quantities, it leads to incessant coughing making it difficult for the person to sleep at night and get through the day.
Benefits Of Honey And Lemon For Cough
Honey and lemon combination is a traditional cure for treating cough and has gained a fair credibility in the medical community. Individually, each ingredient has its own power to treat a cough, and when used in combination, the benefits double giving guaranteed results. Just what we need for a stubborn cough. Let’s look at the individual prowess of each ingredient of this wonderful combination first:
Properties Of Honey
The WHO recommends honey as the most effective demulcent in the treatment of cough due to its chemical and nutritional composition (4). Honey contains antibacterial properties that help in getting rid of the harmful cough-causing bacteria (5). It is loaded with vital nutrients such as potassium – 100 g of honey provides 52 mg of potassium (6). It also contains calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper (7). The body needs these minerals for normal and healthy functioning. The presence of such nutrients in honey helps repair and stimulate tissue growth. These nutrients also serve as antioxidants and eliminate the harmful free radicals from the body. High-quality honey contains very low water content, and hence easily attracts the surrounding tissues to use water.
Properties Of Lemon
Lemon needs no introduction and is known to be one of the citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C (8). It contains 53 mg of vitamin C per 100 g (6). A glass of lemon juice provides one-third of the daily recommended allowance of this vitamin. Vitamin C is known to help the body build up the immune system. The antioxidants assist in repairing and preventing cell damage (9). Lemons have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Why is the combination of honey and lemon effective against a cough? Honey’s antibacterial properties kill harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses (5). This clears up congestion and relieves coughing bouts. Honey is also effective at providing relief in respiratory tract infections (10). Lemon juice boosts the immune system, fights off viruses, and reduces inflammation (9). Its antiseptic properties kill off germs and bacteria. This is why lemon juice is often recommended to people with allergies, sinus issues, and colds. The sweetness of honey also stimulates the salivary glands and induces the release of the mucus through the airways. Moreover, the antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of honey restricts the further formation of the mucus, thereby providing complete relief from coughing. Drinking a concoction of hot water, lemon, and honey loosens mucus, calms the throat, and clears the irritating airways.
Who Can Consume Honey And Lemon For Cough?
Beautiful and cozy winters. The time of the year is synonymous with not only hot cocoa, silver snow, wardrobe experimentation, beanies but also cough, stuffy nose and a sore throat. Thankfully, we have a 3-in-1 solution in our hand—honey and lemon. But who all can make use of this sure-shot remedy exactly? Let’s find out.
1. Babies
Babies are delicate. A simple slip in medication and it can lead to a disaster. So we need to think a million times (the easiest way is to consult a doctor, by the way) before using any home remedy on your angels. They are also the ones who are most susceptible to weather changes and cough and cold, unfortunately. However, honey and lemon concoction, when used in moderation, is considered to be particularly safe for babies.
2. Teenagers And Adults
Teenagers and adults often fall prey to cold and cough, especially with changing weather. Antibiotics are an option but they are neither feasible nor completely safe when taken in larger doses for a longer period. This leaves us with mother nature and her gifts — like ginger, licorice, pepper, honey and lemon. Are they safe to use? Yes, completely. Give the concoction a try and see for yourself.
3. Pregnant Women
Pregnancy is a time when our body goes through numerous physical, hormonal, and psychological changes. That makes them vulnerable to harmful germs loitering around in the air, including cold and flu germs. Say hello to honey and lemon—our superheroes in disguise! Get experimental—sip through, gargle, make a lemonade, have it in a popsicle form, top it off with different other ingredients and you will see yourself getting better in days! And it is safe to use too!
4. Older Adults
Honey and lemon, however, is a safe and cheap alternative to over-the-counter medicines even for the elderly. Now that you have a fair idea of the relief these two can provide for a stubborn cough, it’s only fair that we give you certain easy recipes to combat this condition. Check them out in the section below!
Effective Honey And Lemon Remedies For Cough
Lemon and honey can be used in combination with a number of never-thought-before ingredients that will help fight a cough effectively. We have compiled all the best ones at one place to reduce your workload. Trust me, all the recipes given below are very easy to follow and can be prepared using readily available ingredients in a matter of a few minutes. So, they are not only effective but also cheaper and less time-consuming. Check them out:
1. The Basic Honey And Lemon Tonic For Cough
This is a very simple recipe with honey and lemon juice for cough treatment. Let’s learn how to make it, shall we?
1 cup organic honey 3 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 cup warm water
Note: Whenever you are using honey and lemon for a cough, make sure that you use local, organic honey and fresh lemons. Do not add honey to boiling water, maintain lukewarm temperature. Avoid using bottled lemon juice for the treatment, as you will not get the desired results.
2. Honey, Lemon Juice, And Glycerin For Cough
Glycerin is known for its excellent moisturizing properties. So it is generally used in combination with honey and lemon to ease a raw and itchy throat.
One whole lemon 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons glycerin
3. Honey, Lemon Juice, And Garlic For Cough
The combination of lemon juice and honey with garlic works best if you also have congestion in the chest. Garlic breaks down the phlegm that causes congestion and helps to clear the chest (11).
1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic 1 cup water
Note: You can also double or triple the garlic and lemon juice portion and adjust the honey accordingly if you are busy often. Store this solution in the refrigerator. Add one or two tablespoons of this tincture in a cup of warm water just before using it.
4. Honey, Lemon, And Ginger For Cough
Using ginger in combination with honey and lemon to get rid of a chronic cough is highly recommended. It contains antioxidants and many essential oils and a special cough suppressant, oleoresin (12).
2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon ginger root 2 cups water
5. Honey, Lemon Juice, And Coconut Oil For Cough
Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, antiviral and antibacterial substances, and provides immunity to the body (13). It decreases the length and severity of illness.
3 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 cup honey 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Note: Coconut oil is used in many cuisines and can be found easily at any grocery store. But since you are using it for treatment, make sure that you purchase essential coconut oil in its purest form for quick results.
6. Honey, Lemon Juice, And Olive Oil For Cough
This natural cough syrup is perfect for taming even the most stubborn bout of a cough.
¾ cup raw, organic buckwheat honey or local honey ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2-4 tablespoons of organic lemon juice 2 tablespoons chopped garlic or 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger 1/2 cup sliced Onion
Note: If you do not want to add any of the extra ingredients, then, you can simply blend natural lemon juice, honey, and extra virgin oil together by stirring well. Drink this mixture either warm or at room temperature.
7. Honey, Lemon, And Bourbon Whiskey For Cough
This syrup is perfect for those adults who enjoy the strong taste of whiskey.
1 tablespoon honey 4 tablespoons lemon juice 4 tablespoons bourbon whiskey 1/2 cup water
8. Honey, Lemon, And Cinnamon For Cough
Cinnamon is a solution for everything—from adding a distinct flavor to your Christmas cuisine to curing a stubborn cough. Have a look:
1 cup organic or local honey 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder 1/4 cup water
9. Honey, Lemon Juice, And Apple Cider Vinegar For Cough
Apple cider vinegar needs no introduction. It is popular for all the right reasons. When added to a solution of lemon and honey, its health benefits multiply several fold.
2 teaspoons raw honey 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons organic Apple Cider Vinegar 1 cup boiling water
A Word Of Caution
Here are a few factors you should keep in mind before opting for a full-fledged lemon and honey treatment:
According to experts, honey contains Clostridium botulinum, a type of botulism that can cause fatal food poisoning in children. That is why the Centers for Disease Control has advised that honey should not be given to infants or babies under one year of age. In case you are running a temperature and coughing up green mucus, you must immediately consult your health care expert. These symptoms are severe and can lead to other grave consequences. If you are having trouble swallowing or finding it difficult to breathe, honey and lemon in hot water, although may serve as a cough suppressant, will not cure the root cause of the illness. Hence, in such circumstances, you must seek a doctor’s advice. You must avoid honey and lemon juice treatment if you are allergic to these ingredients or suffer from a gallbladder problem.
