Growing up, when we had a sore throat or a cold starting up, my grandma gave us lemon and honey mixed in warm water. I don't know that it actually helped us get better any faster, but it definitely soothed our symptoms!
So now, my 3.5 yo DD has a minor chest cold, and is complaining of a sore throat. Twice I have given her the honey/lemon water (I use a shot glass, mix a tsp of lemon juice and a tbsp of honey, then the rest is very warm water.)
Now that I have given it to her a couple times, she keeps asking for more and more. Im wondering if there are any issues associated with too much honey (too much sugar maybe?) or lemon, and I should limit the amount she gets... Or if I am overthinking this and should let her have as much as she wants.
What are your thoughts?
Well, after reading the responses so far I got very curious as to why, if it was so bad, so many people I know do honey and lemon for coughs/colds an decided to look it up...
Sorry, but after looking it up myself, I have to respectfully disagree with everyone who says it's a bad idea... Although I will use moderation in giving it to her; as with most aspects of life.
Also, the honey I use comes straight from the beekeeper... We allow a local beekeeper to put hives on our land in the mountains, and in return we get free organic honey. :)
http://www.med-health.net/Honey-And-Lemon-For-Cough.html (one of several sites recommending a similar treatment... The only difference is that my DD gets smaller amounts....
Honey is good for getting kids exposed to the local allergens if you buy it locally. Other than that it probably does taste good and fell good.
If I have a sore throat I like a cup of hot tea (herbal orange flavored), 1 tsp lemon, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tbsp brandy (apple or apricot).
It may or may not help but after a few of those I'm feeling no pain.
Of course you can't give brandy to a child.
But a small measured about of honey and lemon in a fruity herbal tea should be fine as often as she wants it.
I am SO glad you looked this up yourself. Honey - served on a spoon - is our FIRST remedy we turn to whenever theres a cough afoot.
When I was a kid, and we got too much citrus or sweet or sour "juices"... it made our bottoms/vaginal areas, red. And sore.
I would not over do it.
Even our Doc said so.
I still remember that.
Keep in mind, that per my local area, there are lots of bad bad colds going around, as well as, Strep. And the Flu.
Well when I was little my mom would make up a concoction with honey/lemon and whiskey. She would give me a teaspoon. Of course now days that's a big no no. But it would soothe the throat with the honey, cut the phlegm and the alcohol would make you sleepy so that you would rest (go to sleep).
It was not something that was given daily all day only when needed for the sore throat and cough.
There was one cough medicine that really worked that is no longer on the market that was green. That stuff would get to the bottom of the cough and be done by the end of the day.
I think it was a teaspoon of honey, lemon and whiskey mixed together and then refrigerated.
Well, it's good that you did your own research, and I respect you for that, but I do want to point out there is a lot of MISinformation on the internet.
It is true that the acid in lemon juice can damage the enamel on teeth, but as you know, moderation is good. I've had talks with my dentist about that.
Do you have a doctor you can ask about the honey/lemon treatment? She might be able to advise you on how much to use with your little one.
Good luck treating the cold. BTW, aren't 3 year olds fun? :)
I say limit it to every 30 minutes or twice an hr. No more. It may be like a little treat. Also what is good is warm tea with honey and lemn
Be careful with the lemons. They are very acidic and hard on the teeth. My bIL is a dentist and just had to fit a rather young lady with dentures. She sucked a lemon dry each night as part of her evening routine...the acid destroyed her teeth.
Well… it's sugar so it tastes good. And she wants more! As healthy as honey is, it's kind of like giving a small child candy. They'll take as much as you give.
But apart from the extra sugar, it's actually a bad idea to drink honey water when you have a sore throat. The bacteria in your throat feeds on the sugar and can make you worse, not better. Natural health practitioners usually recommend that you eliminate as much sugar as you can so the bacteria can't grow. That actually means less fruit, no honey, no baked goods, etc.
The honey is sugar and the lemon, well, it is acid. Just be careful not to hurt the tummy.
The honey will really only work if it's local honey and not the refined generic stuff you get at the grocery store. You would have to either go to your local beekeeper or to the section of the grocery store where they have stuff from local sellers, like homemade sprinkles/jimmies, local maple syrup ... thingies, local beekeeper honey jars, and other specialty items.
Lemon anything has always made a sore throat worse for me. I never have understood why people think lemon is a good thing on a sore throat. It's harsh and acidic. It burns.
may be the taste of honey made your DD ask for that again and again. honey is good for kid but not lemon juice. I think you better give with a limit.
