Is honey effective in treating cough?

Treatment of bronchitis with folk remedies can only be carried out with the approval of the attending physician and under his supervision. As a rule, such treatment complements the main therapy and does not replace it. Folk remedies can also be used to prevent bronchitis in acute respiratory infections.

Folk remedies, if used correctly, serve as an effective complement to the main treatment of bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. The disease is quite common since this part of the respiratory system is constantly in contact with air from the environment along with all the dust and pathogenic microorganisms contained in it. Complex mechanisms of immunity, both local and systemic, counteract the disease, but sometimes fail - individual patients, in particular smokers or children with reduced immunity, can get bronchitis up to three times a year, so the problem of effective treatment of the disease is extremely urgent. In addition, the disease can have far-reaching consequences, leading to dangerous complications.

Approach to treating bronchitis

Opinions differ about the effectiveness of traditional methods of treating bronchitis. You can often hear that if you have bronchitis, it is better to immediately switch to antibiotics. However, this approach is not the right solution. First of all, it is necessary to abandon the practice of prescribing medications yourself. The same antibiotics can harm the body and are not always effective, for example, for inflammation of viral origin, so they should be prescribed by a doctor strictly for medical reasons. Unlike prescription drugs with a long list of side effects, folk medicine can be used at any stage of the disease, the main thing is to do it correctly. The most important rule in the treatment of bronchitis is the use of a traditional method as an auxiliary one that complements the main treatment.

The essence of compresses is an irritating effect on skin receptors, which causes expansion of the subcutaneous vessels of the capillary bed, improved circulation, and a local increase in temperature. This effect leads to an increase in the concentration of immune cells at the site of inflammation.

Useful properties of honey

The rich composition of the main beekeeping product makes it indispensable in the fight against colds in adults and children. Honey contains:

1. Vitamins.
2. Minerals.
3. Enzymes.
4. Valuable acids.
5. Lipids.
6. Squirrels.
7. Phytoncides.
8. Simple carbohydrates.

Thanks to this set of beneficial substances, honey has a beneficial effect on the functioning of all organs and systems, strengthens the immune system, activates the body’s protective properties, forcing it to intensively fight the effects of pathogens.

Honey for bronchitis has a pronounced analgesic and antiseptic effect. Regular use can reduce pain and clear the respiratory tract of pathogens. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of the product, it is possible to quickly stop the development of inflammation and soothe the bronchial mucosa.

Treatment of bronchitis with folk remedies at home

How to treat bronchitis at home? You can prepare home remedies yourself; no special skills are required. However, it should be borne in mind that they are not absolutely safe either, and just like medications, they can cause allergies, especially for herbal preparations.

One of the popular recipes is a preparation whose components are honey, lemon and glycerin. This remedy is suitable for the treatment of bronchitis in both adults and children (the result is a tasty paste that the child will be happy to eat), and the components provide a wide range of beneficial properties:

• lemon – contains citric acid, which has a bactericidal effect, as well as a huge amount of vitamin C, which increases the body’s overall resistance and counteracts harmful free radicals;
• honey is one of the most useful natural products, contains a large number of microelements, and has an antibacterial effect;
• glycerin softens the mucous membrane, moisturizes it, changes the structure of mucus, improves its removal from the body, which makes the drug effective for dry cough.

The preparation is prepared as follows: take a lemon, in which through holes are made, but it is necessary to keep the pulp and juice intact, after which a pan of boiling water is filled, where the lemon is boiled for 5 minutes. After this, the citrus is removed, cooled, and its juice is squeezed into a glass - as much as possible (you can do this using an electric or manual juicer). Two tablespoons of glycerin are added to the resulting juice, which can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. After mixing thoroughly, honey is added in an amount equal to the volume of juice with glycerin. After this, the mixture is stirred again and infused for about 3 hours in a cool place (or in the refrigerator), cooling down. The drug is ready for use - adults should take one tablespoon before each meal, children - one teaspoon. If the cough is very severe, then you can take two spoons. It is better not to immediately swallow the mixture, but to dissolve it in your mouth for a while.

One of the richest medicinal properties of natural products is propolis. Based on it, many drugs have been created that are effective due to their antibacterial effect, as well as the ability to strengthen the overall resistance of the body.

One of the most effective folk remedies for treating bronchitis is onion decoction. A properly prepared drink helps with acute bronchitis, relieving symptoms and promoting the removal of phlegm as soon as possible. Also, thanks to the rich composition of onions (vitamins, microelements, phytoncides), the immune system is significantly stimulated.

A decoction of onions in milk with honey is one of the popular folk remedies for bronchitis.

To prepare the decoction in the traditional way, you will need 3 medium-sized onions, 3 glasses of milk and honey. The onion is peeled and chopped, then added to a saucepan with milk and cooked until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Then the mixture should cool, after which three teaspoons of honey should be added (the number of spoons corresponds to the number of glasses of milk) and mixed thoroughly. Use a tablespoon of decoction 6-8 times a day, regardless of meals. This is a folk remedy for bronchitis and cough in adults, since not all children will drink it - the taste, although rather mild, sweet, is still oniony.

Another recipe is onion caramel. Add one and a half cups of sugar to a liter of water and boil, adding two whole onion halves. The mixture is boiled until its quantity is visually reduced by half, after which the bulbs are removed from the solution, and the solution itself is cooled. The resulting caramel can be eaten without additives, added to tea and drunk. Divide the entire mass into two equal parts, consume each of them throughout the day.

Treatment of bronchitis with folk remedies at home is often carried out using black radish juice. This juice has a mucolytic effect, which means the ability to dilute sputum and remove it - this is especially important in the treatment of sluggish chronic bronchitis or in the presence of a tearing dry cough. The radish fruit is thoroughly washed, the top is cut off, and the core is removed (a kind of bowl of pulp is formed). A spoonful of honey is added to the inside of the “bowl”, after which it is covered with the top and left to brew overnight. By morning, the radish will release juice, which is an effective medicine. The dosage for adults is 4 tablespoons per day, for children – 4 teaspoons.

Folk remedies are not absolutely safe, and just like medications, they can cause allergies, especially for herbal preparations.

Aloe juice is highly effective. You can buy it at the pharmacy or squeeze it yourself. Fresh juice is mixed with honey in a 1:1 ratio, after which butter is added to the mixture until thickened. Sometimes cocoa powder is added here. The mass is placed in the refrigerator, where it thickens. The mixture is consumed before meals 4-5 times a day, a teaspoon.

Honey for bronchitis in the form of compresses

Recipe 1

For long-term bronchitis, a remedy based on natural honey and goat fat helps a lot. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions and mixed until a homogeneous consistency is achieved. The mixture is used for external use: it is rubbed into the chest area, covered with compress paper, and wrapped on top with a warm woolen or down scarf. The compress should be left for 3 hours.

Recipe 2

Another remedy used as a compress to treat bronchitis is prepared using honey and butter in a 1:1 ratio. The components are placed in an enamel bowl and put on fire. For optimal mixing and at the same time maintaining the quality of the original products, it is better to melt the mixture in a water bath: with strong heating, a number of useful qualities of honey are lost. After cooling, the finished medicine is used in the form of an ointment. It needs to be rubbed into the chest and back. For greater effectiveness, it is better to leave the compress overnight.

Prevention of bronchitis

Obviously, preventing the disease is much better than long-term treatment, even with folk recipes. It should be understood that, first of all, the body’s resistance should be constantly maintained at the proper level. Several methods are used for this, the most effective of which is hardening in combination with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. The hardening technique is designed for adults, but children can also be involved in hardening, only the water temperature should be adjusted. Classic hardening begins with daily dousing with water at room temperature (on average 23°C) with a further gradual decrease in temperature by 1°C every 2-3 days. After dousing, rubbing with a towel should follow, which improves microcirculation. After this, you can perform a set of physical exercises.

You can also wipe yourself with a towel soaked in cold water; in this case, the water temperature may be lower (about 18-19 °C).

Contrast shower is one of the best means of preventing many diseases, including bronchitis

Another effective method of stimulating the immune system is a contrast shower. The warm water is turned on, after which the temperature drops sharply or gradually to cold. This is followed by a warm stream of water again. Such cycles will be repeated up to 10 times, ending with cold water and then vigorously rubbing the skin with a towel.

Hardening serves only to prevent the disease, but in no case is it carried out directly during bronchitis - this will only aggravate the course of the disease.

Breathing exercises perfectly complement hardening - they improve the condition of the upper respiratory tract. They can be used in the convalescence stage, i.e. recovery after bronchitis; breathing exercises speed up recovery.

Contraindications

Treatment of cough using honey is preferable to antibiotics obtained by chemical compounds.

The natural dosage form makes it possible to get a person back on his feet quickly, without disturbing natural processes. But it is worth remembering the contraindications, which are not as few as we would like:

• diabetes;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• allergy to honey

Do not forget about the possible negative reaction of the body to additional components. Also during therapy, when the patient is a child, minimal doses are started. So the maximum dose of honey for a baby is a quarter of a teaspoon. For an adult up to 1 tbsp. l.

The main recipe and beneficial properties of milk with honey for bronchitis

The main advantage of the drink is its nutritional value and good absorption by the body. It can be given even to babies.

To prepare the medicine, you need to combine:

• 1 glass of whole or “store-bought” milk with the highest fat content;
• 1 tsp. honey

The milk should be boiled and cooled to a pleasantly warm or room temperature.

For treatment, it is better to choose linden, buckwheat honey, or meadow herbs, as they better promote expectoration.

The entire volume should be consumed in one go. Number of doses: 3 times a day after meals. It is customary for children to be given drinks twice a day. Only regular consumption of the drink gives positive effects. Among them:

• vasodilator;
• expectorant;
• anesthetic;
• antitussive;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antispasmodic.

This is an incomplete list of the advantages of combining two unique products. The tandem can eliminate irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and lower body temperature, which necessarily affects the general condition of a person.

Other homemade recipes

All folk recipes that are recommended for bronchitis have some commonality:

• use of ready-made formulations half an hour after meals;
• After drinking, it is advisable to wrap yourself up well to sweat;
• The usual pediatric dosage, in the absence of special instructions, is 2/3 of the adult dosage.

With butter

For 1 serving you need:

• 200 ml milk;
• 40 g butter with a fat content of at least 72%;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey

The butter is placed in hot milk, so there is no need to take it out of the refrigerator in advance, it will melt well.

Honey can be added when the temperature of the milk and butter is no higher than 40 degrees.

In this composition, the oil is “responsible” for facilitating swallowing, since the drink turns out to be greasy, enveloping the irritated mucous membrane. Take three times a day before recovery.

With onion

The finished medicine from onions added to milk is suitable for frequent use at intervals of no more than three hours.

Recipe:

• 1/3 liter of milk;
• 1 medium onion;
• 1 tsp. honey

Preparation:

Cut the onion into small pieces, pour in milk and put on the stove, wait until it boils, then reduce the heat and cook for another 40 minutes. Afterwards, cool the broth, strain, add honey.

For a single dose, children are given 1 small spoon, adults – 1 large spoon.

With garlic

It is recommended not only to cleanse the bronchi of phlegm, but also to relieve nervous tension and improve blood circulation.

Compound:

• 1 medium head of garlic;
• liter of milk;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey

Pour unboiled milk over pre-chopped garlic and put on fire. The drink is considered ready when the garlic becomes soft. The broth should be removed from the heat, cooled at room temperature, strained, and combined with honey.

Take 1 tbsp. l. at two-hour intervals.

Cinnamon

The medicine turns out to be very aromatic, it warms up the bronchi well, makes breathing easier with a stuffy nose and helps to cope with a runny nose.

Ingredients:

• Milk – 250 ml.
• Cinnamon powder – 1/3 tsp.
• Honey – 1 tbsp. l.

Mix milk with cinnamon powder, place in a water bath, heat for 7 minutes, make sure the mixture does not boil. Remove from heat, cool naturally to 40 degrees, add honey and stir thoroughly.

Dosage: 1 glass three times a day.

Cinnamon is known for its good warming properties, so this medicine for bronchitis can be drunk only at normal body temperature.

With banana

This milk drink recipe is a real find for mothers of capricious children. The medicine is very similar to a treat, so children like it. At the same time, the mixture turns out to be quite thick and nutritious, which helps provide the body with energy and essential vitamins.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana;
• 3 tsp. cocoa powder;
• 300 ml milk;
• ½ tsp. honey

Pour boiled milk and cooled to 40 degrees into a blender bowl, place a peeled banana cut into pieces there, add honey. Beat until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

Take 1 tablespoon before bedtime.

With raw egg and soda

A raw egg is the first assistant for sore throats and sore throats. It is not for nothing that artists use this product as an “ambulance” for a sore throat. Raw eggs help eliminate pain and hyperemia of the mucous membrane.

Baking soda has a disinfecting effect and helps cleanse the body of toxins. All together it copes well with the “barking cough” and relieves coughing attacks at night.

Components:

• 1 fresh raw chicken egg;
• 1 tsp. liquid honey;
• 300 ml milk;
• 1 tsp. butter;
• ½ tsp. baking soda.

Beat the egg with honey and butter with a whisk, pour in cooled boiled milk, stir. Add soda last. Take 1 tbsp. l. adults, and children – 1 tsp. for the night. This time is due to the fact that after consuming the drug it is not recommended to drink or eat for an hour.