What is the orange trick for coughs?: A Look at the Viral Home Remedy

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to social media and traditional folklore, a steamed or microwaved orange with salt and honey can soothe a persistent cough. This simple, viral home remedy, known as what is the orange trick for coughs, has captivated many seeking natural relief during cold and flu season.

Quick Summary

A viral home remedy for coughs involves heating an orange with salt and honey. The resulting warm juice is believed to soothe the throat, reduce irritation, and aid in symptom relief. The effects come from the ingredients and the warmth, offering a comforting alternative to conventional cough syrups.

Key Points

Remedy Components: The orange trick for coughs typically involves a heated orange, salt, and honey, providing warmth and flavor.
The Soothing Effect of Warmth: The primary benefit comes from the warm liquid, which helps soothe an irritated throat and temporarily reduces coughing.
Honey's Role: Honey is a proven cough suppressant for individuals over one year old, coating the throat to reduce irritation.
Potential for Irritation: The citric acid in oranges could potentially irritate a sore throat, which is why the remedy is sometimes viewed with caution.
Lost Nutrients: Heating an orange destroys much of the vitamin C, so the remedy does not provide a strong immune-boosting effect from this nutrient.
Folklore vs. Science: The remedy's effectiveness is based on the known benefits of warm liquids and honey, not on unique properties of the heated orange itself.
Disclaimer: This remedy offers symptomatic relief for mild coughs and is not a cure; medical advice should be sought for severe or persistent symptoms.

Understanding the Orange Cough Remedy

The orange trick for coughs is a popular, natural remedy that has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The core of the remedy involves combining a citrus fruit—typically an orange—with common household ingredients such as salt and honey, then heating the mixture. The final warm concoction is then consumed to provide relief from cold and flu symptoms.

How the Remedy is Prepared

The preparation methods for the orange cough trick vary slightly, but a common recipe includes these steps:

Prepare the orange: Wash the orange thoroughly. Some recipes recommend rubbing the skin with salt for extra cleaning.
Cut and Season: Slice off the top of the orange to create a cap. Sprinkle a small amount of salt onto the exposed fruit, and for better absorption, poke a few holes into the flesh with a fork or knife. A drizzle of honey can also be added at this stage.
Heat the orange: Place the cap back on the orange and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1–2 minutes, or alternatively, place it in a steamer for about 20 minutes.
Consume the juice: Once warm, squeeze the juice and pulp into a cup. The resulting liquid is then consumed. Some variants suggest drinking the liquid that collects in the bowl during steaming.

The Science Behind the Ingredients

While the orange trick is primarily a folk remedy, its effectiveness is often attributed to the individual properties of its ingredients, though some claims are stronger than others.

Potential Benefits and Properties

Warmth and Hydration: Consuming any warm liquid, including the juice from a heated orange, can help soothe a sore or irritated throat and increase nasal mucus velocity. Staying hydrated is also crucial when sick.
Honey's Soothing Effect: Honey is a well-known cough suppressant for adults and children over one year old. It works by coating the throat, which helps to calm irritation and reduce the urge to cough. It also possesses mild antibacterial properties.
Salt and Mucus: Salt's anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe a sore throat. Inhaling steam with salt, or using it as a gargle, is known to help thin mucus. When heated with the orange, salt may also help in loosening phlegm.
D-Limonene (Orange Peel Oil): Steaming the orange may release D-limonene, a chemical found in the oil of the orange peel, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Vitamin C and Citric Acid Controversy

Many assume the trick's benefit comes from the orange's high vitamin C content, but this is a point of contention. Vitamin C is heat-sensitive and water-soluble, meaning the steaming or microwaving process can destroy a significant portion of the nutrient. Furthermore, some health professionals warn that the citric acid in oranges, which can be an irritant, might worsen a sore throat or induce coughing in some individuals, particularly those sensitive to acid. This is a key reason why some traditional Chinese medicine beliefs suggest avoiding raw oranges when you have a cough.

How This Remedy Compares to Others

The orange trick is one of many home remedies available for managing a cough. Here is a comparison of its approach and potential benefits against other common methods.


Feature	Orange Trick (Heated with Salt & Honey)	Honey and Lemon Tea	Steam Inhalation	Over-the-Counter Syrups
Primary Action	Soothes throat via warmth and honey; may aid mucus breakdown.	Soothes throat with warm liquid; honey suppresses cough.	Loosens mucus and moisturizes airways.	Suppresses or loosens cough with medicinal ingredients.
Key Ingredients	Orange, salt, honey, and heat.	Honey, fresh lemon, and warm water.	Hot water, optionally with eucalyptus oil.	Dextromethorphan (for suppression) or guaifenesin (for mucus).
Taste & Comfort	Sweet and salty warm juice; generally palatable.	Classic, soothing, and pleasant.	Can feel stuffy; taste is not a factor.	Can be overly sweet or have a medicinal taste.
Active Compounds	Warmth, honey's compounds, salt, and potential orange oil benefits.	Honey's compounds, Vitamin C from lemon (less effective with heat).	Moist heat and potentially essential oils.	Standardized medication ingredients.
Scientific Backing	Limited, relies on known effects of warmth, honey, and salt. Some citrus effects are counterintuitive.	Strong evidence for honey's cough-suppressing effects.	Proven for clearing congestion and soothing airways.	Extensive clinical testing and regulation.
Considerations	Not for infants under one due to honey; may not be effective for all cough types.	Not for infants under one.	Scalding risk; not suitable for small children.	Potential side effects and drug interactions; not for infants.

Expert Opinion on the Orange Trick

Medical experts often approach social media health trends with a degree of caution. While they acknowledge that warm liquids and honey can provide genuine relief for a cough and sore throat, they are less certain about the unique properties of a heated, salted orange. The key benefits are likely derived from the comforting warmth and the known therapeutic effects of honey, rather than any specific 'magic' from the orange itself. For most viral coughs, symptomatic relief is the primary goal, and if this remedy provides that comfort, it's generally considered harmless. However, it is not a cure and should not replace professional medical advice for persistent or severe symptoms.

Conclusion

What is the orange trick for coughs is a simple, palatable, and soothing home remedy, but its effectiveness lies more in the established properties of warmth and honey than in any unique quality of the heated orange itself. The debate over citric acid and the loss of vitamin C during heating suggest that its benefits are not due to an immune-boosting effect, but rather a comforting, palliative one. As with any home remedy, it should be used for mild, temporary symptoms. For a chronic or severe cough, consulting a healthcare provider is the safest course of action.

Visit Verywell Health for more information on home cough remedies

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but with an important caveat: honey should never be given to infants under one year old due to the risk of botulism. For children over one, the warm, honey-based drink is generally considered safe, but consulting a pediatrician is always recommended.

Yes, vitamin C is heat-sensitive and water-soluble, meaning a significant amount is destroyed during the microwaving or steaming process. Therefore, the remedy's benefits do not come from the vitamin C content.

Some health sources advise caution with consuming raw oranges during a cough, especially with a sore throat, as the high citric acid content could potentially cause further irritation. The benefit of heating the orange is thought to neutralize this effect.

The remedy can be consumed once or twice a day, as needed, when experiencing symptoms of a cough or cold. It can be continued for a few days until symptoms improve.

The orange trick is best suited for soothing mild, temporary coughs and sore throats, particularly those associated with the common cold. It is not intended for chronic, severe, or medically diagnosed coughs.

While honey is the primary active ingredient for cough relief, the salt is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the throat and help thin mucus. It is an optional, but common, component of the remedy.

If your cough persists for more than a few days, worsens, or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, you should consult a healthcare professional. The orange trick is a folk remedy and not a substitute for professional medical care.