honey is hot or cold - #24562
I am kinda confused about the whole thing with honey is hot or cold. I've been reading up on it because my grandma swears by honey for everything. She says it's super good for colds and stuff, but then, when I looked online, I found people saying honey is hot in nature, like it can increase body heat or something. I got this persistent cough that's been bugging me, and I've been putting honey in my tea thinking it'll help. But now I'm worried, like am I making my situation worse? My friends are like, "yeah, honey is hot, don't use it if you're feeling feverish." But I thought honey is good for soothing throats, ya know? I tried to ask my doc but they just said it's all relative and didn't really clear things up. Has anyone else gone through this? Is honey really hot or cold? What should I be looking at if I want to use it when I’m unwell? Should I be worried, or are there specific times when honey is hot or cold matter more? Just feeling lost with the advice out there. Any input would be really helpful!
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Doctors' responses
The idea that honey is “hot” or “cold” mostly comes from traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. They often categorize foods based on their perceived energy effects on the body. In these concepts, honey is sometimes considered “warming” which might align with the view that it increases body heat. However, in modern clinical medicine, it’s more about the nutritional and functional properties of honey rather than a hot or cold classification. When it comes to your persistent cough, honey can actually be beneficial. Research has shown that honey can be a soothing agent for sore throats and may help suppress coughs, particularly in children over one year old. Its thick consistency forms a protective barrier in your throat, which can reduce irritation. Additionally, honey has mild antibacterial properties, which may help if a secondary infection is present. Nonetheless, if you’re experiencing a fever, it’s more crucial to focus on hydration, rest, and if necessary, antipyretics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and not worry about the heating nature of honey. Whether it’s increasing body heat isn’t a concern backed by scientific evidence in terms of exacerbating a cold or fever. If your cough persists or you’ve accompanying symptoms like high fever, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, you should see a healthcare provider, as this might indicate a more serious condition like a bacterial infection or pneumonia. In the meantime, using honey in moderation in your tea is unlikely to cause harm and may even offer some relief from your symptoms. Just ensure not to give honey to infants under one year because of the risk of botulism.
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