Researchers at the University of Oxford find honey is better treatment to antibiotics or over-the-counter medications for relieving viral infections such as coughs, colds, sore throats and the symptoms of upper respiratory tract symptoms (URTI). According to Dr Joseph Lee, researcher, beekeeper and General Practitioner, Oxford University's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, “Honey has long been known as a traditional treatment for URTI symptoms, such as coughs and sore throat... Honey is cheap and widely available, many people will probably have some sitting in the cupboard anyway, so it’s worth giving it a try before visiting your GP.”
Reporting on the findings, The Guardian noted "doctors can recommend it as a suitable alternative to antibiotics, which are often prescribed for such infections [coughs, blocked noses and sore throats, upper respiratory tract infections], even though they are not effective".
The study concludes that "honey was superior to usual care for the improvement of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It provides a widely available and cheap alternative to antibiotics."
Articles cited here appeared on August 19, 2020, in the following websites: Oxford University's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine and The Guardian (UK).
