Dr. Andrew Weil, an integrative physician, states that while the healing properties of honey "aren't well understood," it's surmised that an enzyme added to the honey by bees creates minute amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a germicide to fend off bacterial infections. Home remedies that include honey aren't in short supply; from the traditional honey-and-lemon tea to more arcane recipes that add horseradish into the mix, this thick, amber syrup may make a sore throat feel better.
Traditional Honey Lemon Remedy
A home remedy with honey for a sore throat mentioned by Mayo Clinic experts is a warm honey-lemon brew. Mix honey and lemon juice into a cup or glass of hot water and stir well, letting your taste buds be your guide when it comes to the ratio of your ingredients. Let cool to room temperature before sipping. "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies" advises mixing honey into herbal tea or decaffeinated tea--caffeinated beverages should be avoided while you have a sore throat, as these can cause dehydration, the Mayo Clinic warns.
Horseradish Honey Remedy
In the "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," Irwin Ziment, Ph.D., chief of medicine at California's Olive View Medical Center, presents a more off-beat honey sore throat remedy with Russian roots. Take a glass of warm water; add 1 tsp. honey, 1 tbsp. horseradish (pure--not a horseradish blend) and 1 tsp. ground cloves. You can either sip it or gargle with it. Horseradish tends to settle at the bottom of the cup, so you'll need to stir frequently.
Dr. Weil's Lemonade
When you have sore throat, emphasis is placed on increasing your liquid intake to replenish the fluids you lose during a fever or mucus production, says the Mayo Clinic, as long as you avoid alcohol and caffeine. Dr. Weil's "The Healthy Kitchen: Recipes for a Better Body, Life, and Spirit," co-written with Rosie Daley, presents a beverage that consists of 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup freshly-peeled ginger slices and mint. Simply mix the honey, lemon juice, ginger and a sprig of mint in a large container and add 2 cups of water. Serve over ice.
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