What do lemon and honey do when you have a cold?

December 26, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a systematic review published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, honey is superior to usual care for relieving upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Combining this ancient remedy with lemon, a source of vitamin C and mucus-thinning properties, creates a powerful and comforting drink widely used to combat cold symptoms.

Quick Summary

The combination of lemon and honey provides a soothing remedy for cold symptoms by coating the throat to suppress coughs and utilizing honey's antimicrobial properties. Lemon's vitamin C and mucolytic action help boost the immune system and break up congestion. Mixed with warm water, this beverage offers hydration and comfort to ease discomfort during a cold.

Key Points

Soothes Coughs: Honey's thick texture coats the throat, calming irritation and acting as an effective cough suppressant.
Relieves Sore Throats: Honey reduces throat inflammation, while lemon provides a mild numbing effect, offering comfort.
Boosts Immunity: Lemon's high vitamin C content supports the immune system, potentially shortening the duration of cold symptoms.
Fights Infection: Honey's natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties may help fight off the underlying infection.
Aids Hydration: A warm lemon and honey beverage encourages fluid intake, which is crucial for loosening congestion and preventing dehydration during a cold.
Thins Mucus: Lemon juice acts as a mucolytic, helping to break down and clear excessive mucus and congestion.
Safe and Accessible: This remedy is a safe and accessible alternative to many over-the-counter medications for adults and children over one year old.

The Power of Honey for Cold Symptoms

Honey's thick, viscous texture and natural properties make it an excellent choice for alleviating specific cold symptoms. It acts as a demulcent, creating a protective barrier or film on the irritated lining of the throat. This can provide significant and lasting relief for a sore throat and help suppress a cough by calming irritation in the throat's nerve endings. Beyond its soothing effect, honey also possesses antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which may help fight off infection. This is particularly relevant for upper respiratory tract infections, where honey can offer a less harmful and cost-effective alternative to antibiotics. Several studies, including meta-analyses, have supported honey's efficacy in treating coughs, especially in children over one year old, outperforming some over-the-counter medications. It's crucial to remember that honey should never be given to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism.

The Role of Lemon in Cold Recovery

Lemon brings its own unique benefits to this classic cold remedy. The fruit is famously rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that plays a crucial role in immune system function. While regular intake of vitamin C won't necessarily prevent a cold, some evidence suggests it can slightly shorten the duration of symptoms once you are sick. The citric acid in lemon also serves a purpose by acting as a mucolytic, helping to break down and loosen the excess mucus that often accompanies a cough and sore throat. This aids in clearing congestion and provides a mild anesthetic effect that can help numb a painful, scratchy throat. When added to a warm beverage, lemon and honey work together in a synergistic way to not only fight infection but also provide comfort and relief.

The Importance of Hydration

Staying hydrated is one of the most fundamental aspects of recovering from a cold, and a warm lemon and honey drink is an excellent way to achieve this. Warm fluids, in general, help to increase mucus flow, which can ease congestion and sinus pressure. Dehydration can exacerbate cold symptoms, making it harder for the body to fight off the virus. The pleasant taste of a hot lemon and honey mixture can encourage consistent fluid intake, which is essential for flushing out the system and keeping the throat moist.

Combining Lemon and Honey: Methods and Benefits

There are several popular methods for creating this home remedy, from a simple tea to more concentrated syrups.

Classic Hot Tea: Squeeze half a lemon and stir one to two teaspoons of honey into a mug of warm, not boiling, water. The warmth is soothing, and using non-boiling water preserves the beneficial enzymes in raw honey.
Added Ginger: For an extra anti-inflammatory and sinus-clearing boost, add a few slices of fresh ginger to the hot water along with the lemon and honey.
Concentrated Syrup: Create a potent syrup by combining sliced lemons and honey in a jar and letting it infuse in the refrigerator. Use a spoonful as needed or mix into hot water.

Comparison of Cold Remedies


Remedy	Mechanism of Action	Main Benefits	Best For	Considerations
Honey & Lemon	Demulcent effect, antimicrobial, high vitamin C, hydration	Soothes sore throat, suppresses cough, helps clear congestion	Sore throat, cough, mild congestion	Not for infants under 1 year. High sugar content if overused.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Meds	Active ingredients like dextromethorphan (cough), antihistamines (drying), decongestants	Symptom management, targeted relief	Specific symptoms like severe cough or congestion	Potential side effects (drowsiness, etc.), not always effective in children.
Saline Nasal Irrigation	Flushes out mucus and irritants	Clears nasal congestion effectively	Sinus pressure, stuffy nose	Requires proper technique and sterile water to avoid infection.
Rest & Hydration	Allows the immune system to focus on healing	Speeds up recovery, prevents dehydration	All cold symptoms, overall health	No direct symptom relief, must be paired with other remedies for comfort.

Conclusion

While it is not a cure for the common cold, the simple combination of lemon and honey is a well-regarded and scientifically-supported home remedy that offers significant symptomatic relief. The synergistic effects of honey's soothing, antimicrobial properties and lemon's immune-boosting vitamin C and mucus-thinning action make it a highly effective and comforting drink. For relief from a scratchy throat and persistent cough, a warm mug of honey and lemon tea is a time-tested remedy that can be a valuable part of your recovery plan. For additional health information, consult reputable sources like the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

For soothing a cough and sore throat, a hot lemon and honey drink can be as effective as or even superior to some over-the-counter medicines, particularly for children. However, it does not treat other symptoms like fever or pain in the same way as medicated options, so it is often best used in conjunction with other treatments if needed.

No, honey should never be given to infants younger than 12 months due to the risk of a serious type of food poisoning called infant botulism. The spores that cause botulism are harmless to older children and adults but can be dangerous for infants whose immune systems are not fully developed.

For symptomatic relief, you can sip on a warm lemon and honey drink several times a day, particularly when your throat feels irritated. A healthcare professional at the Cleveland Clinic suggests using honey no more than four to five times a day, partly due to its sugar content.

Yes, adding fresh ginger can enhance the benefits. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can further soothe a sore throat and contains compounds that may help clear congested airways and reduce nausea.

Warm water is ideal because it is soothing and helps thin mucus. Using boiling hot water can destroy some of the beneficial enzymes in raw honey. Cold water will not provide the same soothing effect for a sore throat.

While most types of honey can provide a soothing effect, raw, unfiltered honey retains more of its beneficial compounds and nutrients, which can be more effective. Darker honeys, such as buckwheat honey, have higher antioxidant levels.

No, the common cold is caused by a virus and has no cure. The lemon and honey mixture helps manage the symptoms, such as soothing a sore throat and suppressing a cough, but it is not a cure. Your body's immune system needs rest and hydration to fight off the virus.