Honey has a long history of traditional use as a remedy for respiratory symptoms, including cough and congestion associated with bronchial conditions. Scientifically, several clinical studies and reviews have investigated honey’s efficacy, particularly for cough in children and adults. Some randomized controlled trials indicate that honey may be more effective than placebo or some over-the-counter cough medicines in relieving cough frequency and severity, which can indirectly ease sensations of congestion by soothing irritated airways. The likely mechanisms include honey’s demulcent (soothing) properties, mild anti-inflammatory effects, and possible antimicrobial action against certain pathogens.

However, while honey may help alleviate cough and throat irritation, direct evidence supporting its efficacy specifically for bronchial congestion (i.e., the loosening or clearance of mucus from the lower airways) is limited. Most studies focus on symptom relief (like cough suppression) rather than objective measures of bronchial clearance or decongestion. Systematic reviews (e.g., Cochrane reviews on honey for acute cough) conclude that honey can be considered a safe and effective symptomatic treatment for cough, but do not provide strong support for its use in directly treating bronchial congestion.

In summary, while honey is supported by both traditional use and some scientific studies for relieving cough related to bronchial irritation, solid scientific evidence for its direct effect on bronchial congestion is limited, resulting in a moderate-low evidence rating.