How to Use Honey and Lemon To Clear a Sore Throat

Viral infections are usually the reason behind a sore throat, and a sore throat can often present alongside other symptoms like nasal congestion. Of course, certain bacteria can also cause sore throats, but bacterial infections tend to be less common than viral ones.

A sore throat can usually be managed at home, and it will often resolve on its own over time. So, if you are experiencing symptoms that worry you, please reach out to your doctor for further advice.

If it is still within control, here are some more commonly known home remedies that use honey and lemon for sore throat, complete with a guide on how they can be taken at home.

Why Does Honey, Lemon, Relief Sore Throat?

Honey has been used for thousands of years to help with various ailments. Ancient people believed it to have special properties that could help with ailments like digestion, gum health, insomnia, wound healing, coughs as well as sore throat.

Thanks to modern science, we now know that honey has around 200 substances within it. Due to various properties like high viscosity (thickness) and low water content, honey can have antimicrobial effects on a range of germs that are known to cause a sore throat.

Lemon has a similar reputation, It has also been used by different cultures over time to treat various symptoms such as fever, coughs, and even blood pressure. Research efforts have shown lemon also possesses antimicrobial effects on certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

As things stand, there isn’t direct evidence showing honey and lemon will soothe a sore throat. Still, they do offer many benefits for our bodies with a range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other substances.

They have also been reported as something to help relieve a cough, so you may want to give them a go while recovering from a sore throat.

How to take Honey & Lemon

Taking these will depend on taste and preference, and remember, avoid giving honey to children who are less than 12 months old.

1.Take them as they are

Honey and lemon are both generally safe to be consumed as-is. But know that if you prefer taking them in the undiluted form (i.e., straight from the honey container or lemon squeezed directly), they might be too much for some taste buds. Honey might be too sweet for some people, so if you don’t want to take the whole amount at once, it can be gently and slowly sucked from a spoon. In the same vein, lemon might be too sour or acidic, but you can try slowly sipping it from a spoon.

2.Use Warm Water or Tea

Warm water or tea can also be taken when one has a sore throat. Warm water helps with staying hydrated, and tea can also help with keeping fluids up while possibly providing temporary relief. You can add a teaspoon of lemon, honey, or both to water or tea. If a cold causes a sore throat, these drinks might also help relieve a runny nose too.

Conclusion

Overall, the best way to tackle a sore throat is to treat its symptoms quickly as they appear. Whether that be by using lemon and honey as described above or taking prescribed medications.