Honey and Colds

When you’ve got a cold, most of the time there’s nothing you can do but slow down and let it pass. You rest, drink plenty, take whatever medication you need to take — and try to make yourself as comfortable as possible while you’re feeling rubbish.

Honey often comes into that picture. Not because it’s a cure but because it’s simple, familiar, and easy to take when you’re under the weather.

It’s something a lot of people already have in the cupboard, and it’s been used for donkeys’ years as a comfort when you’ve got a sore throat or a cough.

It’s worth saying that honey isn’t a medicine. It doesn’t replace medical treatment, but many people choose to use it alongside rest, fluids, and anything else they’re taking because it can feel soothing.

If symptoms linger, get worse, or you’re worried, it’s always best to get proper medical advice.

When people talk about using honey for a cold, they’re usually talking about comfort rather than treatment. A sore throat, for example, can feel dry, scratchy, and irritated, especially if you’ve been coughing or talking all day. Honey’s thick texture coats the throat, and a lot of people find that helps take the edge off that uncomfortable feeling.

The same goes for coughs, particularly those tickly ones that seem worse at night. Some people take a spoonful of honey before bed, others prefer it stirred into a warm drink. It’s not stopping the cough altogether, but it can help calm things enough to feel more settled.

Honey is suitable for adults and children over one year old. It should never be given to babies under one.

Warm drinks are another reason people reach for honey when they’ve got a cold. A mug of something warm can feel comforting when you’re bunged up and tired, and honey works well instead of sugar. It adds sweetness without being sharp, and it dissolves easily in drinks like hot water with lemon, herbal teas, or warm milk.

It’s worth avoiding boiling water if you can, as very high heat can damage some of honey’s natural qualities.

Alongside our plain honey, we also make a honey with added ginger. A lot of people like this one during the colder months. Ginger has been used in food and drink for a long time, mainly because of its warming flavour. Mixed with honey, it creates a rich, slightly spicy sweetness that works particularly well in hot drinks.

Like plain honey, honey with ginger isn’t a medicine. It doesn’t treat a cold, but if you enjoy ginger, it can be a comforting option to have alongside everything else you’re doing to look after yourself.

When it comes to our honey, we keep things straightforward. It’s raw, gently strained, and bottled by hand. We don’t add anything unnecessary, and we don’t take anything out. It’s the same honey we use ourselves at home — stirred into drinks, taken by the spoon, or used in cooking.

Honey won’t cure a cold. But for many people, it’s a small, simple comfort that helps make the whole thing feel a bit more manageable while it passes.