How to Take Honey for a Sore Throat

A sore throat can be super annoying, so you likely want it to go away fast. Fortunately, honey is an effective sore throat reliever because it reduces inflammation, has antibacterial properties, and may help fight viral infections. Additionally, honey coats your throat, so its benefits can last for a while. [1] Although you can typically treat a sore throat at home, go to the doctor if you have symptoms of strep throat or you develop severe symptoms.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Coating Your Throat

  1. You’ve probably seen raw honey advertised as a natural treatment. While some of these claims could be true, raw honey may contain bacteria and other impurities. When you’re using honey as a treatment, stick to pasteurized honey to be on the safe side. [2]
    • You can buy pasteurized honey at a grocery store, farmers market, or online.
  2. If you’re in a hurry, take honey by itself for a sore throat. [3] Scoop out a spoonful of honey and pour the honey into your mouth. Then, lick the spoon to remove the remaining honey. As you swallow the honey, it will coat your throat and soothe it. [4]
    • If you want to use honey before bed, taking it by spoon may be the best option since you likely don’t want to drink a glass or water or tea right before bed. However, take the honey before you brush your teeth, as honey contains sugar.
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  3. Throat lozenges are a common treatment for sore throat and usually provide temporary relief. [5] To get the benefits of honey, choose a throat lozenge that has honey as one of it’s ingredients. Let the lozenge dissolve in your mouth, which should temporarily coat your throat. [6]
    • You can consume a throat lozenge as often as every 2 hours to help your sore throat.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Mixing Honey into Water or Tea

  1. Heat your water until it’s comfortably warm but not too hot. Then, scoop out a spoonful of honey and add it to your water. Stir the honey into the water to combine it. Drink your tea while it’s still warm. [7]
    • If your honey comes in a squirt bottle, you can add it directly to the water if you prefer. You don’t need to worry about exact measurements.

    Warning: Never give honey to a baby under the age of 1. Though it’s rare, honey can cause infant botulism in babies. [8]

  2. Brew a cup of your favorite tea. Then, add your honey to your tea as both a sweetener and a sore throat treatment. Stir the honey to dissolve it in the tea. Sip on your tea while it’s still comfortably hot. [9]
    • You might try a tea that also soothes your throat. For instance, raspberry tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, green tea, and clove tea are all great options if you’re treating a sore throat. Since green tea has caffeine, don't choose it if you’re trying to rest. [10]
  3. A squeeze of lemon juice added to water or tea also helps soothe a sore throat. Luckily, it’s easy (and tasty) to combine honey and lemon juice. After you stir your honey into warm water or tea, add the juice from half a lemon. Stir your drink to combine the ingredients, then sip on it while it’s still warm. [11]
    • You don’t need to worry about measuring the lemon juice.
  4. A hot toddy contains several ingredients that soothe a sore throat, including honey. Fill a mug with hot water, then add a spoonful of honey, a squeeze of lemon, and a splash of whiskey. If you like, sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger on top. Stir the ingredients together to combine them, then drink your hot toddy while it’s still comfortably hot. [12]
    • Don’t use too much whiskey because it can be dehydrating. All you need is a little splash.
  5. Don’t worry about drinking too much honey, water, or tea. Staying hydrated is important when you’re recovering from being sick, so use honey as often as you need. [13]
    • For instance, you might drink a cup of tea with honey every 4-6 hours.
    • If you’re drinking a lot of tea, stick to caffeine-free options as much as possible. Otherwise, you might accidentally ingest a lot of caffeine, which can dehydrate you and make it hard to rest.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

When to Seek Medical Care

  1. Since strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, it’s typically treated with an antibiotic. While you likely don’t need to worry, it’s important to see your doctor immediately if you think you have strep throat so you get the right type of care. Get treatment from your doctor if you have the following symptoms: [14]
    • Sore throat that develops quickly
    • Pain when you swallow
    • Red, swollen tonsils, possibly with white patches or streaks
    • Red spots on the roof of your mouth
    • Fever
    • Swollen lymph nodes in your neck

    Did You Know? Strep throat is very contagious, so you need to stay home until your fever goes away and you’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. [15]

  2. You probably don’t need to worry because sore throats are very common and usually mild. However, sometimes a sore throat is a symptom of a more serious illness, so you may need additional treatment. Visit your doctor or an urgent care clinic if you develop the following symptoms: [16]
    • Fever (especially in children)
    • Trouble breathing or swallowing
    • Blood in your saliva or phlegm
    • Dehydration
    • Pain or swelling in your joints
    • Earache
    • Rash
    • Excessive drooling in children
    • Worsening or recurring sore throat
  3. Your doctor may want to test your throat to see if you have strep throat. Open your mouth and try to relax as the doctor swabs the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. Then, wait a few minutes for the doctor’s office to test your swab for strep throat. This usually takes a few minutes. [17]
    • In most cases, your doctor’s office will test your sample in the office. However, they may send a swab off to another lab for more extensive testing to confirm your diagnosis.
  4. Typically, strep throat is treated with an antibiotic since it’s caused by bacteria. Take your antibiotic exactly as directed so you can feel better. Don’t stop taking your antibiotic until it’s gone, even if you start to feel better. Otherwise, your infection may come back. [18]
    • Unless your sore throat is caused by strep throat, your doctor likely won’t prescribe an antibiotic. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, which won’t respond to an antibiotic.
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      Tips

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      Warnings

      • See your doctor if you may have sore throat or have serious symptoms along with a sore throat. You may need additional treatment. [20]
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      • Never give honey to a baby who is younger than 1-year-old. In babies, honey can cause a condition called infant botulism. [21]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549483/
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/
      3. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
      6. ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=3c55009c-4b3e-135e-e054-00144ff8d46c&version=3
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
      9. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
      1. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
      2. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs/honey-not-antibiotics-recommended-coughs/
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sore-throat-remedies-that-actually-work/
      4. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
      5. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html
      6. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
      9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html
      10. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs/honey-not-antibiotics-recommended-coughs/
      11. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html
      12. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031

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