Yes, honey can help break up and thin mucus in the lungs by acting as an expectorant, reducing inflammation, and soothing airways, making coughs more productive and easing chest congestion, often by adding it to warm drinks like tea or water. It helps thin thick mucus, relieving that heavy feeling, and is a recommended remedy for coughs in adults and children over one year old.
2. What can I drink for mucus in my chest? Warm fluids such as herbal teas (ginger, peppermint, or thyme tea), warm water with honey and lemon, and bone broth can all help clear mucus.
Ways to clear your lungs
In most studies, the dose has ranged from half a teaspoon (2.5 mL) to 2 tsp (10 mL) before bed. But there's no real limit to how much honey to take, and you can use it multiple times throughout the day as needed. Honey can be taken on its own or mixed into warm water or tea.
Since honey is safe for people over age 1 year, it might be worth a try. Children ages 1 and older can be given 0.5 to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 milliliters) of honey to treat a cough. The honey can be given as is or added to other liquids, such as juice, to lessen its strength.
It also has antimicrobial properties to help your immune system fight germs that get you sick. “Honey has been used as a natural cough remedy for centuries — and modern research backs it up,” Dr. Rainbolt reports. “For mild coughs, honey can be a safe and effective alternative to over-the-counter cough medications.”
Timeline of Honey's Effects in Your Body
30-60 minutes: Peak absorption and maximum energy benefits. 60-120 minutes: Sustained energy release as fructose continues metabolizing. 2+ hours: Gradual return to baseline as effects diminish.
Honey given to children younger than 12 months may cause a severe food poisoning called botulism. Do not give your child honey before 12 months. Do not add honey to your baby's food, water, infant formula, or pacifier.
Things you can do to help ease catarrh
The scientists looked at research databases that had relevant and analysed the data which indicated that honey was more effective than the normal treatments for improving symptoms, especially the coughing. Two of the studies showed that symptoms lasted a day or two less among those treated with honey.
Mucus at Work
Bacteria land on the mucus-lined surface of the lungs and get trapped. Then little hairs called cilia go to work. They push the mucus up and out of the lungs with all the trapped bacteria, viruses, and dust. “It comes up at sort of a nice slow rate to the back of the throat,” Boucher says.
To help remove mucus, focus on drinking plenty of fluids like water, herbal teas, and clear broths to thin it, plus try warm drinks with lemon and honey, and gargle with warm salt water; avoid dehydrating drinks like alcohol and excessive caffeine. Warm liquids are especially effective at soothing the throat and loosening congestion.
These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days. The cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks.
Honey is a natural sweetener packed with antioxidants and prebiotics that support overall health. Eating it regularly may boost digestion, improve energy, ease coughs, and help fight infections. While it has a low glycemic index, people with diabetes should still enjoy honey in moderation.
The antimicrobial effect of honey (18.7 ± 2.2 mm) was significantly higher than antibiotics - ciprofloxacin, sulbactam/ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and vancomycin (p1 ≤ 0.05 for each).
Warm (not hot) fluids moving down your throat can help loosen thickened mucus as they pass by your lungs. Being well-hydrated also helps thin mucus, making it easier to cough it up. Green tea is an excellent option, as it has helpful antioxidants and may also help reduce inflammation. Inhale moist air.
Alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate the body and irritate the respiratory system. This can lead to excess mucus production in the nose and throat. Additionally, some people may be allergic to certain types of alcohol, which can trigger mucus production.
Being sick with sinusitis or respiratory infections is the most common cause of excess amounts of thick mucus in your nose or throat. Allergies or irritants. Allergies and other irritants in your respiratory tract can cause excess clear mucus. Lung diseases.
So essentially, yellow mucus just means your immune system has been activated. For signs your cold is getting better, look for: The mucus turning clear again. Your symptoms becoming less severe, like having fever body aches and less nasal congestion.
Raw honey may contain allergens
Symptoms could range from itching in the oral mucosa to anaphylactic shock. People who are allergic to pollen or with severe seasonal allergies (hay fever) should be aware of the potential risk of eating raw honey.
Raw honey is the only unheated, pure, unpasteurised, unprocessed honey. It is the concentrated nectar of flowers that comes straight from the honey comb. The health benefits of honey depend on its quality and quality is mostly affected by the processing involved during extraction and bottling.
Usually the doctors recommend honey to be taken empty stomach early in the morning as it gives an instant kick and energy boost which is enough to counter an entire day.
Manuka honey boasts many natural, beneficial properties that make it healthy, too. Eating it regularly in small amounts (a spoonful a day) is recommended. If you're using it as an alternative to sugar and natural sweeteners, manuka honey is absolutely the best option. Let's draw some inspiration from Oscar Wilde here.
Enjoy honey about 30 minutes before bed. This timing gives your body space to settle after your last meal and helps you ease into calmer nighttime activities.
Beneficial bacteria and harmful heat
Heating honey to high temperatures – generally above 45-50°C – eliminates these benefits by killing the bacteria, enzymes, and antioxidants that make honey so powerful.