Honey for a Sore Throat and Cough

"A 2007 study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative to over-the-counter cough medicine. The study found that a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications." (US National Honey Board).

Honey has been used for centuries in some cultures around the world to treat upper respiratory infection symptoms like cough or sore throat. In Indonesia, honey with lime are used to calming the sore throat.  Honey reputation as a remedy around the world is no doubt.

Honey has well-established antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, which could explain its contributions to wound healing. Honey also soothes on contact, which may help explain its effect on cough as suggested by the World Health Organization. (Penn State College of Medicine research team)

In addition to relieve cough and make sleep more calmly, here are some wonderful benefits of honey.

1. antibiotics
Research shows some skin diseases, such as burns, scratches, surgery's wound, response to the "honey therapy" which applied on the wound. Natural ingredient of honey in the form of hydrogen peroxide produced from the bee enzyme is suspected to work as a natural antibiotic that has the power to heal.

2. reduce itching
The anti-inflammatory in the honey shown to help reduce the itching and irritation from mosquito bites.
 
3. Boost immunity
Honey is rich in polyphenols, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage, which can lead to cancer and heart disease.

4. Relieve digestive disorders
In a 2006 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the researchers concluded that replacing sugar with honey in processed foods will increase in the intestinal microflora.

5. treating acne
According to preliminary studies, Manuka and Kanuka honey types effectively treat acne vulgaris, the skin disorder caused by inflammation and infection of the pilosebaceous follicles on the face, back, or chest.

There is many more about honey, I'll write it in the next post.