Manuka honey for flus and colds
Like many of us I’m assuming, every time I now cough or have a wee tickle in my throat, I immediately panic about Coronavirus. However, the symptoms of the flu or a bad cold usually include a fever, cough, aching muscles, sneezing, headaches, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, tiredness and loss of appetite, while the hallmark symptoms associated with COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Sneezing is not a common symptom of COVID-19 and a sore throat is only seen as a ‘sometimes’ symptom.
Relieve a sore throat
If you are suffering from a sore throat, manuka honey may help provide some relief. Manuka honey has traditionally been used for wound healing, soothing sore throats, preventing tooth decay and improving digestive issues.
Methylglyoxal is the active ingredient that gives manuka honey the antibacterial properties that set it apart from other honeys. The antiviral and antibacterial properties reduce inflammation and can attack the bacteria that cause pain.
Researchers observing the effects of consuming manuka honey on Streptococcus mutans, a type of bacteria responsible for sore throats, found a significant decrease in the bacteria after participants had consumed manuka honey.
It is also incredibly soothing. Manuka honey can coat the inner lining of the throat for a soothing effect.
How to use manuka honey to treat a sore throat
Manuka honey is perfect for treating a sore throat. It fights bacteria and viruses while also boosting the immune system, shortening the length of time you feel unwell, and reducing the severity of the infection.
Sore throat manuka honey tea
Make sure the water you add to your tea is not too hot, or it will kill off some of the benefits of the honey.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water warm water – not boiling
- 5 cm piece of freshly grated ginger – or to taste
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon – or to taste
- 1-2 tsp 20+ Manuka honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Mix these ingredients together in a small teacup and then add hot water, not boiling. Enjoy the soothing, sippable remedy.
Manuka honey sore throat lozenges
These lozenges are like having a mug of honey lemon brew you can suck. They include honey and you can add tea of your choice such as ginger, lemon, lemon grass or echinacea tea. They soothe throats and coughs wonderfully.
As the honey lozenges are not cooked at high temperatures and forced to crystallise, the wonderful antioxidants and enzymes in the manuka honey are preserved.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 lemon / ginger / lemongrass / echinacea tea bag
- 2 tablespoons 15+ or 20+ manuka honey
- 2 tablespoons gelatin powder
- Brew your tea in a pot or saucepan, using less water than usual. Steep for at least 5 minutes; make it nice and strong
- Gently squeeze the tea bag and remove. Allow tea to cool.
- When the tea is completely cool, shake the gelatin evenly over the surface of the tea. Do not stir. Let it sit for approximately 10 minutes.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat, stirring and heating the mixture until it is completely smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Allow to cool to room temperature, then add the manuka honey and stir to blend.
- Pour into clean mould on a baking sheet or use a dropper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until set.
- Remove from moulds and store in an airtight container (in the fridge) for up to 1 week.
These manuka lozenges are not super sweet, so feel free to add more honey to your taste.
To find high-grade manuka honey of a 20+ to relieve your family’s sore throats, you can buy it online.