Cough medicines or honey and lemon, which is better for you?
As winter brings sniffles and sore throats, many reach for store-bought cough syrups. But could a simple home remedy honey and lemon be just as effective, if not better? We examine the evidence to help you decide what works.
Discover whether over-the-counter cough medicines or honey-and-lemon home remedies offer better relief for colds and coughs. Learn what research says about their effectiveness and when to seek medical advice.
Cough medicines vs. honey-and-lemon: What works better?
As temperatures drop and viruses circulate, coughing becomes a common problem in households, offices and public transport alike. Many people instinctively turn to over-the-counter (OTC) cough syrups for quick relief. But do these medicines really work or could a warm drink of honey and lemon serve just as well?
What OTC cough syrups do and what they don’t
OTC cough syrups including those aimed at dry or chesty coughs mainly target symptoms. As noted by experts in respiratory medicine, cough syrups don’t treat the underlying viral infection; instead, they aim to soothe the throat, suppress the cough reflex, or loosen mucus.
- For a dry, tickly cough, soothing syrups often containing glycerol or menthol can help “coat the throat” and relieve irritation.
- Some syrups advertise active ingredients such as Dextromethorphan, which aims to suppress the cough reflex, or Guaifenesin, meant to loosen mucus.
- However, research suggests that for many people especially children the benefit over no treatment or placebo is modest at best.
There are other drawbacks to consider. Sweet syrups often contain high sugar levels, which can be a concern for those monitoring their sugar intake. In addition, some active ingredients may cause side effects; for example, certain antihistamines commonly found in cough syrups can cause drowsiness but do not directly treat cough.
Honey and lemon: A simple, affordable alternative
Home remedies specifically a warm drink of honey and lemon have long been a staple for coughs and sore throats. According to the Cochrane Collaboration systematic review of studies on children with acute cough, honey probably reduces cough frequency better than no treatment or placebo.
In the studies reviewed:
- Children given honey experienced fewer and less severe coughs compared with no treatment.
- Honey seemed to provide similar relief to dextromethorphan and appeared slightly better than an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) in some instances.
Medical authorities such as Mayo Clinic also note that honey (mixed in warm water or tea, possibly with lemon) may calm coughs and help improve sleep and is generally safer than many OTC syrups, provided the person is older than 1 year.
Because honey and lemon are inexpensive, easily available, and free from many of the side-effects associated with airway-active medicines, many find this home remedy to be a reasonable and low-risk first-line option.
What the evidence says — and what it doesn’t
The Cochrane review concluded that although honey probably helps relieve cough symptoms compared to no treatment, the evidence remains of low to moderate quality.
- The trials have limitations: small sample sizes, short duration (often just one night of observation), and a reliance on subjective reports (from parents or patients) rather than objective measures of cough frequency or severity.
- Compared with OTC cough suppressants like dextromethorphan, honey did not show a statistically significant difference in most outcomes.
- No strong conclusion can be drawn that honey is “better” than cough medicine only that it may be comparable in many cases, and likely safer.
In essence: home remedies like honey and lemon are a reasonable, low-cost, low-risk option but they are not a guaranteed “cure.” And cough syrups, despite their widespread marketing, often provide only modest, temporary relief.
When you should just let the cough run its course
Coughing itself is part of your body’s defense it helps clear mucus and pathogens from your airways.
- For simple colds and viral infections, a cough often resolves naturally over time with rest, hydration, and throat care.
- Suppressing a mucus-producing cough too aggressively may hinder this natural clearing process. As some experts advise, “cough it out” and only suppress when the cough is disruptive, dry, or preventing sleep.
Expert recommendation — and what you should keep in mind
If you have a dry, tickly cough or are looking for a safe remedy for a child over 1 year old a warm drink with honey (and optionally a splash of lemon) makes sense as a first-line choice. It’s cheap, widely available, and has some evidence backing its benefits.
If symptoms persist especially if a cough lasts more than a few weeks, becomes very severe, involves discolored phlegm or blood, or is accompanied by breathing difficulties it’s time to see a doctor.
OTC cough syrups may offer short-term symptomatic relief, but they shouldn’t be seen as magic bullets and costlier, brand-name syrups are unlikely to be significantly better than supermarket “own-brand” versions.
Conclusion
In the battle between cough medicines and honey-and-lemon, there’s no clear “winner.” But for most mild to moderate coughs especially dry, tickly ones honey and lemon are a practical, low-risk, and evidence-supported remedy. Cough syrups may help occasionally but their benefits are often modest, and not worth the extra cost or potential side effects, especially when simpler remedies exist.
References
- Cough medicines or lemon and honey – which is better for you? – BBC – (Accessed on Dec 04, 2025)
- Is honey a well-evidenced alternative to over-the-counter cough medicines? – PMC – (Accessed on Dec 04, 2025)
- Cough medicines or lemon and honey – which is better for you? – AOL – (Accessed on Dec 04, 2025)
