Honey against sore throat

Its antibacterial and antioxidant properties are now also confirmed by scientific studies.

Much more than a grandmother’s remedy, honey is a nutrient-rich food that lends itself to various uses, and that due to its characteristics represents an ingredient of natural preparations to be used in the presence of cold diseases of the upper airways, or as an adjuvant to relieve fever and flu symptoms.

What is it

Honey is the product of the processing of bees on nectar: harvested from flower to flower and brought into the honeycomb, it is processed by foraging bees. The honey remains in the cells of the hive until the beekeeper extracts the supers to release the honey. The product thus obtained then passes to the honey extractor, an instrument that works like a centrifuge and is able to extract honey. At this point the product is filtered and after being left to decant it is ready for consumption.

Since it is a cold process, the vitamins contained in honey are not damaged. They can be lost in case of pasteurization.

Nutritional values and properties

Honey is an excellent source of energy: 100 grams contain 304 calories, with 80 grams of carbohydrates available, mainly given by fructose and glucose.

But honey is also rich in:

• mineral salts (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, iron, copper, manganese)
• vitamins (A, C and B vitamins)
• antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins
• organic acids that counteract the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.

There are many types of honey and its properties vary depending on the type of plant from which it comes. Here are some examples:

Properties and benefits of honey

Honey is antibacterial and antioxidant. Its properties are now also confirmed by scientific studies. Honey has been used for hundreds of years as a natural antibiotic by many different cultures.

Today, thanks to various scientific researches, such as that conducted by Shona Blair at the University of Sydney school, it has been possible to better understand the mechanisms through which honey exerts its high ability to kill pathogenic bacteria. Blair even pointed out that honey is also effective against many germs resistant to different drugs.

Counteracts the action of bacteria

This wonderful natural substance is able to “attack” germs through many routes and make them unable to develop resistance. But honey does not only have antibacterial activity.

In fact, it has been shown that it actively and directly promotes healing, stimulating the body’s immune defenses.

A group of scientists from Pennsylvania State University tried to “measure” the actual effectiveness of honey through numerous tests.

The results of the analysis confirmed that some components of honey are able to “kill” pathogens and perform an antioxidant action on tissues, including those of the throat and other respiratory tract, such as the pharynx.

Honey is therefore effective in preventing damage in the intimate structure of the cell caused by inflammation triggered by the attack of viruses or bacteria. Hence the use to relieve the symptoms of colds, as well as discomfort and burning due to irritation of the pharynx.

In laboratory tests, honey is effective against many bacteria, including Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastritis and ulcers; Antiviral and antiparasitic properties have also been shown.

The antibacterial and antibiotic activity of honey is due to the fact that it often contains, in addition to polyphenols and flavonoids, enzymes such as glucose-oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide (the same that is usually used to disinfect wounds).

Honey and sore throat

Honey cannot replace specific drugs, but it is a positive ingredient of daily nutrition and an ally to combat seasonal ailments.

A typical discomfort of the colder seasons is a sore throat, with burning, irritation and difficulty swallowing. In most cases, a sore throat is caused by viral attacks, but it can also be facilitated by environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke, too dry air.

Precisely in mild forms, when antibiotic therapies are not necessary to eradicate specific bacteria, it is useful to treat it locally by resorting to self-medication with sprays, mouthwashes and “home” remedies, useful to relieve irritation of the mucous membranes.

Honey can serve to lubricate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and thin stagnant mucus faster. Honeys from aromatic plants, such as eucalyptus or thyme, also have the specific properties of essential oils that make them useful for giving relief in cases of seasonal illnesses.

Honey against cough

Some studies have shown that honey is effective against cough: it is able to reduce the frequency of attacks and has the same effectiveness as some pharmacological substances.

In case of persistent coughing, swallowing a teaspoon of honey has a sedative action. Grandma’s classic remedy was to drink warm milk and honey, but honey can also be taken alone, or dissolved in a glass of warm water with a few drops of lemon, or simply used to sweeten hot drinks, such as tea or chamomile.

Another precious substance is propolis, also produced by bees and rich in resins, fatty acids, essential oils, pollen and minerals, (including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron) and vitamins (B1, B2, B6, C, E, P). Propolis for its antibiotic properties helps in disorders of the oral cavity such as gingivitis and stomatitis.

There are various forms in which it can be used: from balsamic candies to sprays, up to the hydroalcoholic solution used to make rinses and gargles. But it is also possible to consume it raw, without having undergone treatments other than the elimination of impurities, such as wood residues. This should be dissolved in the mouth without chewing and should be taken in small doses, up to a maximum of three grams per day for a week.

Recipes for the winter

According to the indications of natural medicine, taking hot drinks based on ginger, rose honey, apple cider vinegar and lemon, is useful to induce the body to react to the imbalance that led to inflammation of the throat.

Used as an addition to an infusion or decoction, along with some spices, honey is in fact the protagonist of numerous recipes of natural remedies. Let’s see some of them.

– Lemon.

It is good and serves to keep sore throats at bay. Vigorously mix 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice for each tablespoon of honey.

It should be taken whenever the pain increases.

– To “dissolve” the cough quickly.

Put about 500 ml of honey in a saucepan and heat it at very low heat (do not boil it, it will lose most of its properties).

Bring water to a boil in another saucepan with a whole lemon, and let boil for 2-3 minutes.

Allow to cool, cut the lemon into slices and add it to the honey. Cook over very low heat for about an hour. Remove the lemon from the honey and the syrup is ready. It can be stored for two months in the refrigerator.

You can take a tablespoon of syrup four or more times a day to soothe the cough.

– With anise, traditional antitussive.

Anise is traditionally recognized as an activity against cough, bronchitis and asthma.

Today, these properties are also confirmed by scientific studies that have identified in the plant the presence of creosol and alfapinene, substances that can improve bronchial secretions and make expectoration easier.

Gently crush a tablespoon of anise seeds and pour into one and a half cups of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Strain and slowly boil the remaining liquid to concentrate it in a cup. Add two cups of honey, let cool.

Pour into a jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator, where it keeps for two months. Take 1 tablespoon/1 tablespoon to soothe the cough.

– With “analgesics” cloves.

Cloves seem to have a high pain-relieving power. Added to honey, therefore, they emphasize its activity against sore throat.

Just add five cloves in a small jar previously filled with honey (preferably eucalyptus) and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 10-12 hours. Then remove the cloves. It is really an excellent remedy against sore throat, to be kept in the fridge and taken “as needed” during the day.

Cloves, cinnamon and honey can also be used to prepare an herbal tea to soothe sore throat: place 4 cloves, half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a heaped tablespoon of honey in infusion for 10 minutes in a cup of 200 ml of boiling water. Strain and drink a couple of cups a day.

Recall that the best honey against respiratory tract diseases is eucalyptus, which adds to the properties of honey in general those antiseptic, expectorant and calming eucalyptus cough. Eucalyptus oil or mint oil can also be added to boiling water and baking soda to make fumigations, useful to clear the respiratory tract.