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Lemon & Honey for Colds

May 30, 2011 | By Jessica Blue

The common cold has no cure, and its symptoms can last for one to two weeks. If you catch a cold, you can't do much about it but stay comfortable and hydrated. That's where honey and lemon come in. Prepared with warm water, they make a soothing brew that can ease your discomfort and break up congestion. The scientific proof for this is thin, but generations of cold sufferers agree -- honey and lemon really work.

Claims

According to the Mayo Clinic, lemon water with honey helps to loosen congestion, prevents dehydration and soothes your throat. The National Institutes of Health calls this "a time-tested remedy" for a sore throat. Honey and lemon are not cures for a cold, nor are they the most effective treatment. Still, this remedy is a viable alternative to medicines that can be dangerous, especially to small children, and provides a natural, soothing effect that can ease discomfort without artificial chemicals.

Honey and Coughs

Honey has a proven effect on throat irritation and coughs. A 2007 study published in "Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine" found that a single dose of honey was consistently rated highest by parents whose children suffered from a night cough -- higher than honey-flavored dextromethorphan, a common cough syrup additive. A 2010 review of this study published in "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" found that honey was effective at reducing cough frequency and improving sleep quality, and that it may possibly be equally effective to dextromethorphan. However, there was not enough evidence to prove that honey is effective for children with acute cough. Nonetheless, honey's soothing effect on the throat may have real benefit and is likely safe. Never give honey to an infant younger than 1 year, as it carries a risk of botulism.

Lemon and Health

The connection between lemon and the common cold has not been fully studied. Its acidity may loosen mucous, but the most likely benefit is that lemon contains vitamin C. However, the NIH reports that evidence is conflicting on whether vitamin C truly "cures" colds. A 2007 review of 30 different studies, published in "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews," found that vitamin C "mega-doses" do not appear to prevent or relieve colds for most people. The amount of vitamin C in a single lemon is far less than you'd find in a vitamin C supplement, so it's very unlikely that lemon water will cure your cold in any way.

Conclusions

All scientific evidence aside, there's a reason people have been quaffing warm lemon and honey brews for generations. The flavor and scent are soothing and pleasant, and the effect on a cold-ridden throat is comforting at least. It is safe to treat yourself with lemon and honey, and you are very unlikely to overdose. As with all things, exercise moderation and talk to your doctor if your symptoms get worse.

References

Article reviewed by Paula Martinac Last updated on: May 30, 2011

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