Evidence supporting the use of: Bee products
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bee products, such as honey and propolis, have been traditionally used in various cultures to support respiratory health and relieve congestion. Historical remedies often called for honey in hot water or herbal teas to soothe the throat and help clear blocked nasal passages. Propolis, a resinous compound produced by bees, has also been included in folk medicine for its purported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which may indirectly assist in alleviating symptoms of respiratory infections that cause congestion.
Scientifically, evidence for bee products directly treating or relieving congestion is limited. Some studies suggest that honey can soothe the throat and reduce cough frequency, which may provide subjective relief for upper respiratory symptoms. Propolis has demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and limited clinical settings, but data specifically addressing nasal or chest congestion are sparse. No large, high-quality clinical trials have conclusively shown that bee products are effective for congestion relief. Thus, while the traditional use is well documented, scientific validation remains modest and mostly indirect.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
AconiteAgastache
Akebia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allspice
alpha-terpineol
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
atractylodes
atractylone
balsam
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee products
berry
beta-pinene
betel
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
cardamom
cayenne pepper
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
cineole
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coltsfoot
cowherb
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
ferula assafoetida
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
heal-all
honey
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Isatis
Ivy
joe-pye
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
long pepper
malabar nut
mallow
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Nardostachys
Orris
Osha
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Sambucus nigra
Sassafras
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
Sichuan pepper
spearmint leaf
squawvine
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tayuya
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
vitamin C
Wasabi
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by bee products
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Dandruff
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
