The Prophylactic Effect of Honey on Common Cold

Background: 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. Objectives: In this study, honey preventive effect on common cold is evaluated. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: Consumption of honey may help in prevention of common cold.