Key Takeaway
Honey is superior to usual care for improving upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, particularly cough frequency and severity, and represents a widely available alternative to antibiotics.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, evaluated the effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). The authors searched six databases for studies comparing honey to usual care, placebo, or no treatment for URTI symptoms.
The pooled analysis of 14 studies found that honey was significantly superior to usual care for improving composite symptom scores, cough frequency, and cough severity. The effects were consistent across multiple study designs and populations, including both adults and children.
The findings are particularly relevant given the global push to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for URTIs. The authors highlighted that honey is a widely available, low-cost remedy with a favorable safety profile, making it a viable first-line treatment for URTI symptoms. They recommended honey as an alternative to antibiotics when clinicians wish to offer a safe treatment for upper respiratory symptoms.