Honey in hot tea: Helpful or harmful for your cold?

Autumn is the time when we eagerly reach for tea with honey, seeking warmth and comfort on long, chilly evenings. Unfortunately, it is also a period of increased risk for colds and infections. When we first feel weakened, we often instinctively turn to home remedies that have been passed down in our families for generations. A popular remedy for a cold is hot tea with honey. But does this drink really help in fighting the illness? It turns out not always—and in some cases, it might even be harmful.

Though honey has been appreciated for its health properties for centuries, its use in hot drinks, such as tea, doesn't always bring benefits. Honey is a natural source of vitamins like A, C, and B-complex, as well as minerals like zinc, calcium, and iron. It has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and supports the immune system. However, all these beneficial properties may disappear if honey is exposed to too high a temperature.

Hot tea, brewed at temperatures above 105-120°F, neutralizes most of the nutrients and enzymes found in honey. Instead of serving a medicinal function, it becomes merely a sweetener that will not help us fight the infection. Therefore, if we want to benefit from its health properties fully, we should add honey to our drink only after it has cooled down a bit. Otherwise, we unnecessarily deprive ourselves of potential health benefits.

This doesn't mean we should completely give up honey. Quite the opposite! Tea with honey can effectively fight a cold if we use it correctly. Instead of adding honey to boiling tea, waiting a few minutes until the beverage cools slightly is better. Only then should we add honey to retain all its nutritional values.

Another way to gain benefits is by consuming a spoonful of honey separately, just before or after drinking tea. In this way, honey retains its anti-inflammatory properties and supports our immunity. Moreover, honey consumed in its pure form works better on an irritated throat, which can provide quicker relief during an infection.

If you're not a tea fan, you can add honey to lukewarm water with lemon. This is a simple yet effective way to support your body during a cold fight without requiring high temperatures.

If you are looking for natural ways to alleviate cold symptoms, you might try other home remedies, such as:    

• Inhalations with saline or essential oils: These help clear the nose and ease breathing.
• Garlic treatment: Known for its strong antibacterial and antiviral effects.
• Herbal infusions: Such as linden, raspberry, or wild rose, which soothe coughs and reduce fever.