We wish you a healthy new year; but just in case those pesky cold viruses wish you a sore throat, here are two palliatives from the National Honey Board.

For centuries (if not millenia), people have used honey as a natural cough suppressant. Research conducted by Penn State College of Medicine research shows that honey is an effective and natural alternative to over-the-counter cough medicines. As little as one to two teaspoons—from the spoon or in a cup of tea—can help ease and soothe the irritation caused by a cough.

The National Honey Board turned to Nurse Practitioner Barbara Dehn, RN, MS, NP to develop honey cough and cold remedies. Soothing liquids both coat the throat and prevent dehydration. Nurse Barb has long supported using honey as a natural cough suppressant. Both kids and adults like the sweet taste of her homemade remedies much better than drugstore products.
 
RECIPE: NURSE BARB’S HOMEMADE HONEY COUGH SYRUP

Ingredients

This ice pop soothes a sore throat and helps to suppress a cough. Photo courtesy National Honey Board.

Preparation

1. COMBINE lemon zest, sliced ginger and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes and then strain into a heat-proof measuring cup.

2. RINSE the saucepan and add 1 cup of honey. On low heat, warm the honey, but do not allow it to boil. Add the strained lemon/ginger water and the lemon juice. Stir the mixture until it forms a thick syrup. Pour into a clean jar and seal with a lid.

This cough syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 months.

Children younger than 1 should not be given honey.

Serving Suggestions

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. MIX together 1/2 cup of Nurse Barb’s Honey Cough Syrup and 1½ cups of water. Pour into your favorite Popsicle molds, paper cups with wood sticks or other containers to freeze.
 
ALL ABOUT HONEY

Find everything you want to know about honey—the history of honey, different types of honey, food and honey pairings and more—in our Honey Section.