Honey lemon tea is a popular home remedy that can help relieve cough, sore throat, colds, and flu. It contains antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and support overall health.
This tea may also promote weight loss, improve digestion, ease constipation, and help prevent cardiovascular disease and premature skin aging.
Although honey lemon tea is a natural and generally safe option, consuming it in excess may cause side effects like increased blood sugar, stomach discomfort, or heartburn. It’s best to drink it under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.
Health benefits
Honey lemon tea provides several health benefits, including:
1. Relieving colds and flu
Honey lemon tea helps relieve cold and flu symptoms thanks to its antioxidant properties, which support and strengthen the immune system.
2. Soothing a sore throat
Lemon has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, while honey offers antimicrobial effects and helps hydrate the throat. Together, they can help relieve pain, inflammation, and mild throat infections.
3. Calming a cough
Honey lemon tea has expectorant properties that help loosen mucus, clear irritants from the airways, and soothe the throat, making it helpful for relieving cough.
4. Improving digestion
Honey lemon tea may support healthy digestion and help relieve constipation by keeping the body hydrated and balancing the pH in the digestive tract.
Honey helps maintain the balance of gut bacteria, while lemon stimulates bile production, both of which aid in better digestion.
5. Supporting weight loss
Honey lemon tea can help reduce appetite because lemon contains fiber that promotes fullness.
Lemon is also low in calories and may help speed up metabolism and fat burning, which supports weight loss efforts.
6. Boosting energy and muscle performance
Honey lemon tea is a good source of natural energy, making it an ideal drink before workouts to help improve muscle performance and endurance.
7. Strengthening the immune system
Because it’s rich in vitamin C, honey lemon tea works as an antioxidant that reduces cellular damage and supports the immune system.
It also stimulates white blood cell production, helping the body fight infections more effectively.
8. Preventing premature aging
Honey lemon tea may help prevent premature aging since it’s rich in vitamin C, which promotes collagen production and helps keep the skin firm.
Its antioxidants also protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals.
9. Supporting heart health
Honey lemon tea has antioxidant effects and can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. High levels of these fats increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
Simple recipes
Honey lemon tea can be made with just lemon and honey or with added ingredients like ginger or garlic to enhance its benefits.
1. Honey lemon tea
This simple recipe can be enjoyed in the morning, before exercising, or up to twice a day to help relieve sore throat, cough, colds, or the flu.
Ingredients:
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Juice of ½ lemon;
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1 tsp of honey;
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1 cup of water.
Directions:
Boil the water, remove it from the heat, and add the lemon juice and honey. Stir well, let cool slightly, and drink warm.
2. Honey lemon and garlic tea
Honey lemon and garlic tea may help improve digestion and strengthen the immune system.
Ingredients:
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3 thin slices of lemon peel;
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3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved;
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1 cup of water;
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1 tsp of honey.
Directions:
Boil the water with the garlic for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain, then add the lemon juice and honey. Stir well and drink while warm.
This tea should be avoided if you have dengue fever, as garlic can reduce blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.
3. Honey lemon and ginger tea
Honey lemon and ginger tea helps relieve throat inflammation caused by colds or the flu and strengthens the immune system, helping shorten respiratory infections.
Ingredients:
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½ cup of lemon juice;
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1 cm of fresh ginger root or ½ tsp of ginger powder;
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1 tsp of honey;
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3 cups of water.
Directions:
Add the ginger and water to a saucepan and boil for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain, then add the lemon juice and honey. Stir well and drink up to 3 cups per day.
People taking blood thinners should avoid ginger tea and instead choose honey lemon tea recipes that don’t include ginger.
Side effects
Honey lemon tea is generally well tolerated, but drinking it in excess may cause high blood sugar, heartburn, stomach irritation, nausea, or vomiting.
Additionally, lemon may erode tooth enamel, trigger headaches in people with migraines, or worsen active cold sores.
Contraindications for use
Honey lemon tea should not be consumed by people allergic to lemon, honey, pollen, or propolis.
Because it contains honey, it should not be given to children under 2 years of age, as honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores that can cause a serious intestinal infection.
People with diabetes should drink honey lemon tea with caution, as it contains natural sugars that may raise blood glucose levels.
It should also be avoided by people with stomach ulcers or active cold sores.