Can honey help to reduce sore throat?

The short answer is yes, honey can bring relief for your sore throat. Simply mix two tablespoons of honey with a warm glass of water or tea, and drink as needed.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends using honey if your sore throat is accompanied by a cough.  

However, honey should not be given to infants under 1 year old. Honey can carry bacteria, such as Clostridium botulinum, which can be especially dangerous for babies. 

Honey as medication  
Honey has been celebrated since ancient times for its health and therapeutic abilities. It has been the focus of much medical research, including a 2018 review in the scientific journal Molecules 
recognizing honey’s:  

- antioxidant properties  
- anti-inflammatory properties  
- antimicrobial capacity  
- anticancer activity  
- antiviral properties  
- antifungal properties  
- antidiabetic properties  

Honey is also used to dress wounds. According to a 2013 journal article, when compared with conventional treatments, it has almost equal or slightly superior effects for superficial partial thickness burns and acute wounds.  

Be aware that honey can cause an allergic reaction, according to a 2017 case report. But an allergic reaction to honey is very rare. 

Takeaway  
With its long history as a multi-use medication proved in clinical trials, it stands to reason that honey can also be effectively used as a remedy for sore throat.  

Although a honey allergy is quite rare, check with your doctor before treating your sore throat with honey.  

If honey or other home remedies aren’t offering the relief you need or if you’re experiencing other symptoms like fever along with your sore throat, make an appointment with your doctor.