Evidence supporting the use of: Honey
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Honey has been used traditionally across many cultures as a remedy for colds, often to soothe sore throats and suppress coughs. In recent years, scientific research has provided moderate evidence supporting honey's use, especially for symptom management in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children and adults. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, including a 2018 review published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, have found that honey is more effective than placebo or certain over-the-counter medications (such as dextromethorphan) at reducing the frequency and severity of cough, which often accompanies colds. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics both acknowledge honey as a potential remedy for cough in children over one year of age.

The primary mechanisms suggested include honey's antimicrobial properties, its ability to coat the throat and provide soothing relief, and its antioxidant content. However, there is limited evidence specifically for honey's effect on fever or the underlying viral infection itself; the benefit is primarily in symptomatic relief of cough and throat irritation. Importantly, honey should not be given to children under one year old due to the risk of botulism. Overall, while honey is not a cure for colds or fever, the evidence supports its use as a safe and effective symptomatic treatment for cough related to colds in most populations.

More about Honey
More about Colds (with fever)

Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)

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green chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
Avens
Agastache
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Acacia
Amomum
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Aconite
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Amor seco
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Atractylone
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Baphicacanthus cusia
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
Bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bur-Reed
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bassia scoparia
Capillary Artemisia
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cistus
Common madia
Cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
Chrysophanics
Dragonhead
Eclipta
Fruit
Flavoglycosides
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Glechoma hederacea
Honey
Hemp
Horsemint
Isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
Long Pepper
Indian Fagonia
Laggera pterodonta
Luffa
Lodhtree
Little ironweed
Ligusticum
Linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Piper nigrum
Reed Herb
Sesbania
Smartweed
Solanaceae
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Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Shogaol
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Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
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Products containing Honey

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.