The Prophylactic Effect of Honey on Common Cold

Common cold is an important common upper respiratory tract viral infection which is a main cause for lost school days. Therefore everybody wants to prevent this disease, and there is not any chemoprophylaxis or immunoprophylaxis available at this time. Honey is a remedy which its healing effect on diseases is emphasized in holy Quran. The effect of honey on common cold signs and symptoms was considered in a study in Iran.. In this study, honey preventive effect on common cold is evaluated.. In this prospective cohort study 122 high school students were studied (63 boys and 59 girls). The students were divided into two groups (honey and control). In honey group 10 g of honey was given to the students daily for eight weeks, and in control group nothing was given to the students. Frequency of the common cold was reported by a physician who was blinded to the groups (double blindness). At the end the frequencies of common cold in both groups were compared.. The mean age of the studied students was 16.6 ± 0.5 years. The frequency of common cold in students treated with honey was lower than the frequency in control group, especially after six weeks.. Consumption of honey may help in prevention of common cold..